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*****

GAHRYE

Being in the kar was terrifying. But he did his best to sit straight and not squeal like a boar. And there was no doubt he relaxed more as the drive continued and they began to weave between large fields and trees, then bushes and trees, then thick forest.

He even opened the window when Kalle suggested it, and though he didn't enjoy the sound of the air cutting through this… thing, the smell… the smell was better.

About forty minutes after they'd left the library, she turned the kar off on a little dirt and gravel road. They weaved between trees and rocks for another minute or two, then she pulled the car off the road and turned it off.

Gahrye breathed easier when the roar of the engine stopped.

Then he realized how quiet it was out here.

He blinked. Pulling the handle on the door, he got out of the car and stared around. There was still the hovering stench of the road on the edge of smelling. And the kar itself stank like poison. But he took a few steps away and it got better.

Then Kalle got out of the car, pulling a blanket from the back seat and folding it, her dark hair falling in beautiful waves when she pushed it back with her fingers.

"Come this way,

" she said with a smile, beckoning him closer, tucking the blanket under her arm. And Creator curse him, he couldn't say no.

He'd been completely self-indulgent coming out here with her. But he was so, so glad he had. As they walked away from the car, he caught himself and asked her wait, then stripped off the shoes and socks she'd given him, groaning with relief when his feet could spread out again. She opened the car so he could throw them inside, and they started across the road again, pointed at a trail between the trees just barely visible in the dark on the other side.

Then suddenly a blinding glare of fierce white light appeared from her hand and Gahrye almost hit the thing out of her hand before he realized it was this fone she'd used to speak with people from a distance.

"We don't need that,

" he said when he could breathe again.

"I do, I can't see,

" she said.

"I can. Can I lead you? I would love to be out here in a way that's natural for me.

"

She stared up at him. Because of the glare of the light she held, he couldn't see the color of her eyes, but her expression was thoughtful.

"Okay, you'll have to touch me, though because I can't follow you through this without something to hold onto.

"

Gahrye took another deep breath, steeling himself to discipline, then offered his hand.

When she took it her fingers naturally sliding between his, he had to stifle the mating call.

He stared at their hands, entwined, her little, pale fingers gripped in his much larger, darker ones, and shook his head. It was an image he'd prayed for his entire life.

She touched him like it was nothing.

"Thank you,

" he murmured.

"What for?

" she asked, giggling.

"The trees? We can do this whenever you want. I always come out here when I'm stressed. I'd be happy to have your company.

"

Then he looked at her face and she was smiling at him.

"You're stressed?

" he asked quietly.

She nodded, her smile faltering.

"Not all the time, of course. But often. I come out here because it's beautiful and quiet and… I can rest.

"

He nodded.

"This is how my home feels all the time. When there isn't war. Or a lion King coming at my throat.

"

"Reth tried to kill you?!

" she gasped, horrified.

"Why?!

"

"Oh, no,

" Gahrye chuckled.

"I was joking. But he would kill me if I went back without Elia. I vowed…

" He squeezed her hand and fell quiet, praying she'd understand what he didn't say. Then he started walking.

She walked hesitantly next to him for a short space, then moved closer to his side.

"Can I take your arm? I think I'd feel more confident.

"

"Of course.

" He pulled his elbow away from his side, and she let go of his hand to slide it around his forearm, holding the blanket in the other. He pulled his elbow in tight, to hold her close to him. Praying she couldn't feel him tremble with the joy of having her so close.

"So, what's stressing you?

" He asked after a couple minutes of walking the trail.

She didn't answer immediately, then when she did, her scent warmed, as if she were embarrassed.

"I can sense something good in you, Gahrye. Elia too. I want to help you both, but… I feel like it would be so easy to push you away by accident. You don't think of things the same way I do, and I'm not sure I can provide what you need—

"

"I have no desire to pull away from you, Kalle. None. But I am torn in two completely opposite directions right now—and I can't be sure...

" He sighed and pulled her in closer to his side.

"The reason I asked you about the traverse earlier, and the voices, was because when I arrived and saw you that first time… I already knew you.

"

"What? We've met before?

"

"No. The voices showed you to me. And they told me that I couldn't have you without them. When I saw you and you were real… now I'm terrified.

"

He heard her swallow.

"Why?

" she asked breathlessly.

He stopped walking and she stopped with him, looking up at him in the near-black dark.

"Because, Kalle,

" he rasped.

"I don't know how they knew, but they showed me us together. They showed me how to kiss you, and touch you, and… and now I know they were right. And that I can't have you. Not the right way. And it's getting worse.

"

"Why?

"

"Because I want you so badly I'm ready to reject everything that's good and important in my life. I've never been tempted that way. Ever. So… does that mean that they got me? Did I give over and they erased my memory? Or is this the actual temptation? Is it possible I already belong to them? Because every second I spend with you, I'm more certain. I have no question, you're my true mate. They told me that. Told me that you're the one the Creator made for me.

"

*****

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