The Touch of Salvation

11. Alone

ADALIND

Goliath and Daario are...fond of one another. They pretend like they dislike one another and bicker like a married couple, but a genuine interest in one another is behind those taunts and teases.

My eyes widen as I come across a handwritten letter. Daario comes in, chatting with Goliath about something and I lock eyes with my Bloodrider and then Goliath. "A palace?" I say in disbelief. Daario's ears redden as he realizes he's been caught. "You destroyed Nyx's palace?"

"Not the entire thing," Daario says.

"Do you have any idea how much money - the political implications..."

"They don't know it was us," Goliath says.

"Perhaps, but Nyx is pissed and is levying all of us for damages, as the key has been stolen. What do we do when we have to admit that we have the Key of Dae?" I pinch the bridge of my nose. I roll my eyes at the men who look as if they have been caught red-handed. I can't help the chuckle that bubbles from my chest as they glance back and forth at each other. The next key is within the Forest of Winds which resided in House Aquarius. It was Gemini's key - Oryn's key. "We have to go to House Aquarius next," I say to the men. Lux and Lucian part behind me, going to sit next to the others in the office.

"The Forest of Winds is a dangerous place. Turbulent, unforgivable winds find home there," my Grandrider says, low and obtuse.

"We will have to travel there, but we cannot by dragon. The skies are dangerous around the area," Lux adds.

"Then we travel by carriage and foot. We cannot myst or shadow-walk there either seeing as though we haven't been there in centuries. It will take a week's time to get through House Gemini, House Capriconius, and to reach the forest."

Goliath's eyes roam down me for a second and I fidget, his stare too pointed. Every time he gave me a slice of his attention, I couldn't contain the way my heart raced. His expression softens as if he can hear the turmoil in my body. "Send wolves, instead."

My brows furrow in confusion.

The grin grows on his face as if he found it fond that I didn't understand. "Wolves," he says again. "The Lycanthropes."

Right. Right. I had seen lycanthropes shift many years ago, but even when they had shifted on my lands, I didn't watch. Regardless, they were faster than us by foot on territory that we couldn't fly into. "You cannot go without one of my people."

His eyes darken. "You'll hold us back."

"Perhaps," I nod. "But my people are the only ones who know how to traverse the forest." That, and I didn't trust them, not completely, at least.

"Fine," he huffs. "Someone can ride."

"Ride?"

"Did he just say ride," Daario chirps. "I am not getting on his back."

"Adalind can ride Goliath," Lux says, unashamed.

My cheeks heat up and I look up at the ceiling. I only thought about Goliath once in that way and that was when he neared me in this very office. I had been so...attracted to him. I haven't been sexually attracted to anyone in years. When I cast my eyes back down, his eyes are on me and they've darkened considerably. His hands are fists on his lap.

My breath hitches at the prominent length that is hard within his leathers. No one else realizes I don't think. But I do.

"Um," I stutter, dragging my eyes to Lux. "We should all go." I don't know why I say that. Adalind, shut the fuck up. "Fly until you reach House Aquarius and can no longer."

As they drone on about strategic plans and other issues, I zone out, realizing that I just agreed to be alone with Goliath for a few days. He hates me. I wanted him. This would be torture. One-by-one people began clearing out of my office. The last to leave is Lucian who regards me quietly. His bright orange eyes meet mine.

"Do you feel comfortable going with him?"

"He would never hurt me," I say, rounding my desk.

Lucian slowly steps forward until he's only a pace away from me. "That is not what I mean." A beat. "You struggle being alone with any man that is not me or Daario."

I can't help but wince at the reminder. I gulp, my heart beating against my chest. Anxiety creeps up my spine again, but I refuse to let it show on my face. Even if he is right. As much as I would like to say that I could be around Goliath alone for long periods of time and not freak out, I'm not quite sure that is the truth. I raise my chin and lock eyes with him. "I will be fine."

He nods, his hands carefully folded behind his back. "I don't know what Ophir did to you, but I do see the way you look at me and Daario in fear when we suddenly near you. I feel how you wince from loud noises. And I see the scars-"

"Lucian," I interrupt...a plea. Don't continue.

His eyes hold guilt...maybe pity. He nods slowly. "Perhaps Lux would go."

"I know she would if I asked."

"But you won't ask."

I don't have to move or say anything because he already knew the answer.

"Why?" He continues. "It makes you uncomfortable."

"I shouldn't," I whisper. "He's my mate. I shouldn't be fearful of him and sometimes I am not," I admit. "I have to get over this fear. You, Daario, and Lux won't be around forever to protect me."

"Adalind," he says. "We will always be around to protect you."

The way he says it makes me actually believe him. "I will be fine, I promise." As he turns to leave, I speak up again. "Lucian?" His back freezes toward me. I take that as as sign to continue. "Have you ever thought about taking a mate?"

"No."

"Why not?" He turns to me. "You're a good, kind male. You'd make an incredible mate. And for all the centuries that we have been together, you never once considered having a mate."

"The anger that is within me is something that is not safe for any woman I'd want to be with."

"Anger?" My brows furrow. "Your control is the best out of any of us. You have never lashed out. That is why you are my Grandrider."

His gaze travels away momentarily. "I seem like I control my anger well," he agreed, "because I have spent almost my entire life wallowing in my anger. Having a mate would mean that everything I am, she would be - I refuse to give any of this rage within me to her."

Before I can say anything, he's out of my office, leaving me to consider just how much fury remained within him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

As per usual and completely in character for me, I am not liking how this is going so far. The idea that was in my head has not been properly articulated on wattpad. The good news is that I don't hate it and I love the characters and I still love the idea. What I don't love is how all the readers know a lot about Adalind.

I want readers to hate Adalind and I want more of Goliath's POV to show that his hatred toward her is completely justified. I want readers to know less about the fae world and more about the wolf world. I want readers to feel like they are Goliath.

Because of this, I will be re-writing the chapters so far and turning them into Goliath's POV and the duration of the book will mainly be from his POV. I will still be updating Wednesdays and Sundays, but the updates from here on out will be of me rewriting chapters until I get to this chapter and then you'll receive brand new ones (The caveat being I might add more chapters before they start working together of Goliath's POV and the dangerous missions he goes on to distract himself).

Any questions? Excited to learn more about Goliath? How are you feeling?