The King's Obsession

ka

s against my face, a

ses and enough gear to take us partially up the mountain. We also attained a map, which thankf

be there. He

inue our trek upward, our horses sludging through the thick snow. She was wary abo

did you agree to come with

r to stay behind, to look out for herself, but she insisted. Part of me wonders if it's because she thin

to line up with mine. We are making slow progress, but it's steady. We should

uch of her life has been destroyed

e your weap

n't let her come up this mountain, where a Tani lurks, without something to defend herself if it ever comes down to it

ct you," I

r. I'm hoping I still know how to wield this thing, since it's been awhile

. I can hardly see much of her face considering ow much of it is covered by

ome reason I could never bring myself t

it will bring m

i does. I can't blame her, I'm scared of coming across it too, since Marek lost his sister to it. But Marek could be up he

r hope that he has already killed it, and we won't have to worry about that part,

f snow and rocky outcrops. Eventually our horses tire, and it becomes so cold I can't f

st stay the

e cave more with our horses, and do the best we can to keep warm, until all our food

Nakoa or I are cut out for this hits, as we sit at t

nce we haven't spoken in hours, opting instead for the constant soundtrack of wind whipping past the

Demon's territory. He's got to

both know that means I m

ff, narrowing her eyes, she looks out toward the edge of the valley. I foll

yered in black clothing, a large weapon strapped on their back. But I k

l out, stumbli

r a moment, he doesn't move, as if he can't believe that he's seeing two people standing at the mouth

ays with the horses as I rush out stopping as he does, right in front o

." he breathes, looking o

ly above his nose is visible, but it's enough to have my heart fluttering. His blue eyes are so much bolder than I r

his arms, shaking him slightly. He is staring at me like I'm a

ough he could

embrace me so tightly it almost hurts. All the cold within me

n. For the first time in a long time, I feel something near to elation. I thought Marek was dea

o not let him, until I see the concern

my stomach. By now, I would have collapsed if I did, meaning whatever happened in that river, it heale

head. He smells like pine and spice, like old memories, good and bad. But through all of that,

re dead," he brea

ing him. His hair is slightly more overgrown then when I last saw him, making him look so unkempt. He w

e should do, but will I feel the same way ab

sense of it in his head. I can't imagine what he's been through these past few wee

come up with a plan, I insist, gesturing for him to follow me fur

. Aka

t now, about how he feels about me, or anymore about what has happened these past few month

And we will, when we aren't up a moun

s tightly, still uneasy about the hunter. He expres

akily. "I don't think w

e, and I realise with overwhelming drea

s holdi