Mark of Love (Love Mark #3) - Linda Kage Page 0,104

again and began to hum under his breath, that same upbeat tune he always hummed.

He was still lightly humming “Singin’ in the Rain” when he set up his bedroll that night, right next to mine again, and crawled under his covers to lie beside me, facing me with a dreamy smile.

Feeling stiff and uncomfortable because he was there, because I liked him there, and I didn’t want him to know just how much I wanted to roll toward him and burrow into his warmth, to clutch a fistful of his tunic and press my face against his warm heartbeat or feel his strong arms wrap around me, I swallowed thickly and gazed up at the stars overhead.

Remembering how wishing upon stars was a custom on Earth to promote hope in the heart, I curled my hands into tight balls until my fingernails bit into my palms and I wished for a life where it would be okay to give in to kindness and compassion. Where I could show Indigo just how much I did want all the things he was promising.

Next to me, he whispered, “Hey, Quilla.”

I closed my eyes, blocking out the stars and trying to block out the hope. “What?”

“Guess what?”

I sighed, making it sound like I was annoyed by his constant pestering while in all truth, I loved that hint of cheer and life and all things good in his voice.

He laughed lightly as if he’d figured out my charade, and it amused him.

“What?” I finally grumbled.

“You didn’t threaten to stab me all day today,” he answered, his hushed tone full of glee.

I didn’t have anything to say to that.

He shifted closer. “It was a good day.”

I breathed in a deep breath.

Yes. Yes, it had been.

Chapter 23

Indigo

We set out again the next morning, heading through the woods back toward the main road that would lead us to Tyler. We’d left later than usual because Melaina had insisted on visiting the hot springs yet again after we woke.

We’d probably reach the village by the end of the day, though, which still wasn’t sitting well with me. I really did not want to cross paths with my uncle. If there was anything he detested more than his resentment toward High Cliff, it was his loathing of all things Graykey. He would not take kindly to learning his High Cliff nephew had mated to a Graykey girl.

Quilla seemed quieter and more withdrawn than usual, however, so I ignored my own anxieties as I studied her on her horse, riding about twenty feet ahead of me. She didn’t seem upset or scared, or even particularly happy for that matter; she was mostly just contemplative. I had no idea what she was contemplating, but it was definitely taking up a good portion of her attention.

I glanced toward Melaina to see if she noticed Quilla’s mood and seemed worried by it. But Melaina was too busy muttering obscenities as she tried to untangle a strap that had become knotted as it held her pack onto her horse’s back.

I sighed. “Wait. Here. You’re making it worse.” Riding up to her side, I reached out and was able to untangle the straps with my hands bound together.

“Show-off,” she muttered, giving me a scowl.

I rolled my eyes as she trotted on ahead without even considering to say a simple thank you. Then I gave a silent chuckle because I hadn’t exactly expected her to either.

I began to hum “Singin’ in the Rain” again when pain zapped through my mark, making me gasp in surprise and press the heel of my palm to my temple, trying to staunch the agony. But just as quickly as the pain came, it was gone again.

Melaina glanced over and lifted a bored eyebrow. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, shaking my head and trying to make sense of it. “One second, it felt like someone was stabbing my temple. The next…” My words died off as I realized something key.

Something Graykey.

I turned slowly toward the only blood-born Graykey present. “It was you,” I murmured in realization.

Gaping at me with wide eyes, Quilla shook her head and clutched her forearm to her chest. “No, I—”

“You were hurt,” I accused, swinging one leg over my saddle and leaping off Holly so I could rush to her side. Reaching up, I snagged her from her horse, already demanding, “Where? What happened? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” she said, pushing me away when I set her on the ground and immediately tried to