bird’s tail feathers, pacing anxiously as they howled to be released.
Knox had brought creatures of legends and myths to wage war against this speed-bump of a keep. His numbers weren’t as impressive as what I’d seen when I’d followed him days ago, which meant the rest of the army camped some place near to here. The single fact that he’d not brought his entire army eased my anxiety a bit, but not entirely. The man knew how to make an entrance, creating inner doubt and turmoil in those who entertained the thought of waging war against him.
My gaze settled back on the King of Norvalla, seeing him clearer now that he was closer. Halting his army’s progression, Knox placed a helmet and mask combination on his head, the same one he previously used to obscure his identity. He righted himself on his horse as he signaled for the army to proceed. The black skeletal mask was the shit of nightmares, mine, mainly. Of course, he’d chased me down in it and tried to choke me to death while wearing it, so there was a legit reason for those dreams that haunted me.
Knox sat tall on the largest warhorse, watching the keep nestled up against the high cliff walls surrounding it. It wasn’t a strategic location in the least bit. It was a bold statement, indicating that the witches living there feared nothing and no one.
Lifting my eyes to the startling blue, clear sky, I closed them, silently praying to Hecate that I made it through this fight without ending up in Knox’s bed by nightfall. As much as my body wanted him to punish it, soothing the dark lust and desire he created, I wasn’t ready for that to happen. I’d barely slipped out of the sanctuary before Knox could find it since the crystals’ power had diminished. Luckily, my sisters and aunt had left soon after, placing the protection wards, leaving Dimitri there alone to guard me in the event I was disturbed.
Knox, though, he’d been relentless in his need to reach and claim me. It was becoming impossible to remain ahead of him. Knox didn’t need rest, nor did he tire of pursuing me, as if the chase exhilarated and renewed his energy. The stones upon the ground trembled as the war party entered the valley, closing the distance between us.
I stood in a sea of witches I had recently gathered and turned, silently observing the approaching warriors. All of us wore white silk cloaks splattered in blood, adorned with a red Hecate insignia stitched on the hood and back. Knox approached the barrier that protected us, and I smirked, watching as he swiftly dismounted and strode toward it with purpose. A moment before he would have walked through the warded shield, he paused. My breath caught in my throat as he swung his gaze directly to where I stood, concealed under the hood of my cloak.
My chest tightened, and my heart sped up, clenching with anticipation and need, thundering against my ribs, threatening to give me away. Heat slid through me, pooling in my stomach as Knox’s pretty blue eyes lifted to the silent keep behind me. I’d fought the relentless heat and need, my body becoming a solid ache that never eased. My hands balled into tight fists as I closed my eyes, slowly exhaling to calm the army of butterflies assaulting my insides.
A handful of witches that examined the barrier joined Knox, shaking their heads at whatever he’d just said. Angry eyes slid through our ranks as he turned to speak to Brander. One witch grabbed his gloved hand, flirting shamelessly with him. She was brazen and uncaring of the eyes watching them together. Knox didn’t acknowledge her touch, not at first. The dark-haired witch’s hand touched his chest plate, and his hand lifted, holding hers to his armor.
Anger sliced through me without warning. My blood pounded in my ears, while magic grew dangerous and sharp through the air between us. Knox’s eyes slid back through our numbers, slowly narrowing, searching for me. Had he felt my anger?
My heart thundered with unease. I forced the anger down, willing myself to calm, knowing that overthinking things was my super-power. Being alone in a strange world, you learned a lot about yourself. Mostly, you learned your flaws and strengths in the worst ways imaginable, usually figuring it out at the most inopportune times possible.
Knox continued touching the witch beside him as my power rushed to the forefront,