Blessed By The Moon

Chapter 13

Skye's POV: 

The gravel crunched under my boots as I walked between Axe and Gem, the gates of the estate looming closer with every step through the woods. Axe's hand hovered near mine like he wanted to reach for it but couldn't quite bring himself to, I wouldn't let him anyway, even though the thought did cross my mind. Gem chattered about something lighthearted, her voice a melody in the heavy silence.

I tried to focus on her words, I really did. But then-

"You walk like you're being marched to your own execution. Again."

My breath caught. The voice was so clear I almost spun around, expecting to find him behind me.

Nick.

My fingers clenched, nails biting into my palm. Get out of my head.

"Rude. I come all this way to entertain you, and that's the welcome I get?"

I kept my eyes forward, jaw tight. Axe would notice if I faltered, Gem would ask questions. I didn't want to let them see.

Where are you?

"Close. Closer than you'd like. And you really should work on that poker face, Skye. Axe is one suspicious look away from realizing you're having a private conversation with thin air."

My lips twitched, almost betraying me. I clamped them down, heat rushing to my cheeks. You're impossible.

"Thank you. Finally, some recognition."

I rolled my eyes, too visibly, apparently. Gem leaned closer. "You okay?" she whispered, brow furrowed with concern.

"Fine," I muttered, a little too sharply.

Nick chuckled in my mind, the sound lazy and warm, curling around me like smoke. "How could I have ever thought you were faking memory loss when you're this bad of an actress."

My stomach tightened. I hated how easily he slid past my defenses. How natural it felt to hear him in my head, like he'd always belonged there.

Why are you doing this? I pushed back.

"Because you look like you're sleepwalking next to Mr. Silent Brood. Someone's gotta keep you awake."

My eyes flicked sideways at Axe. His gaze was locked forward, jaw set, expression carved from stone. The supposed mate. The one the Moon had chosen. 

Nick's voice softened, almost playful. "Careful, Skye. You're forgetting you're supposed to be walking beside your destiny."

A shiver ran down my spine. You don't know what you're talking about.

"Don't I?" he countered smoothly. "Funny thing about destiny. It doesn't feel this much like a choice unless someone's fighting it."

I stumbled just slightly, enough that Axe's hand shot out to steady me. His fingers brushed my elbow, firm and protective, but the touch felt foreign. My breath caught for an entirely different reason, Nick's quiet laughter ringing in my head like he'd seen it all.

"Careful, Skye. If you keep reacting like that, he might start to wonder who you're having a secret conversation with."

My pulse thundered, confusion tangling in my chest. Axe's hand lingered a beat too long before he let go. Gem, oblivious, kept talking about dresses she wanted to steal from the estate wardrobe.

Do you have nothing better than to do than taunting me while you're hiding in the woods?

"I only have to plan an upcoming war, but you know, priorities."