Turned on, the single light next to the bed cast shadows around the room. My note, still crisply folded in its awkward square, rested next to the base of the lamp. There was something off about the space, but I couldn't figure out what. Maybe this was another dream?

Jaxon grabbed the pillow and rolled over to face the opposite wall. "You're with him, aren't you?"

Not a dream. This was infinitely worse. Our thoughts were connected, and instead of getting to figure out what to say to Jax on the return trip home, I had seconds to gather my thoughts. His eyes reflected the hurt I'd given him, glowing a faint green and flickering on and off like a lightning bug. I opened my mouth to say something, anything—but nothing came out.

"Go away, Wren. You're good at that."

The sting of his words pained me like saltwater seeping into an open wound. I edged forward, eased on to the end of the bed and swirled a finger over the blankets' pattern, contemplating what to say.

"You haven't read my note."

"I'm right where you left me." He tucked an elbow under the pillow. "Kellan made sure of that when he trapped me inside my head. So no, I haven't had the pleasure of hearing why you've left me this time."

A sinking feeling churned inside of me. But like him, I was stuck here, forced to figure it out until whatever brought us together released us.

"Jax, it's not what you think."

"No?" He looked over his shoulder. "I've been calling for you, over and over, so I know you're not here with me. And since I know the only person who'd dare drug my drink is Kellan, I assume you're with him."

Okay, that did sound pretty bad. "Can you at least let me try and explain?"

"It's a simple question. Are you with Kellan or not?" His eyes flashed an intense green, and the tiny gold flecks in his irises flared.

It wasn't that simple. "Kellan's with me, but I'm not with him."

Jaxon rolled back over. "Leave me be."

"Would you stop sulking for a moment and just hear me out?" I reached across and tugged his shoulder until he turned to face me. "I'm not leaving you."

"That's because you've already left."

I groaned. "Stop being so stubborn. I'm not alone with Kellan."

"Of course." He rolled his eyes. "Sage is with you."

"Her, Vega, Rygar, and Robin."

"Robin?" His brows scrunched, and his hair stuck up on one side.

He adjusted the Fire Circle jacket as if trying to get more comfortable. Given the stiff fabric it was made from, I doubted that feat would ever be possible. I had thought about trying to remove it before we left so he wouldn't have to sleep in it, but the thought of undressing him while he was unconscious felt wrong.

"Robin's helping rescue my father. They all are."

He lowered his head and stared at his hands. "That was what I was trying to do."

"I know, Robin told me."

I reached for his hand, and to my surprise, he squeezed my fingers in his.

His spiral ring warmed my leg. "You're super sweet to try and find my dad."

"I'm not down with my father's tactics. Kidnapping your family should have been something he knew was off limits." Jaxon traced tiny circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, making my skin tingle. "I just wish you waited for me to help."

"I told them I wasn't leaving without you."

He glanced up at me with a half smile. "You did?"

I nodded. "But with the guards' orders to relocate my dad before our ceremony..."

Silence clung to the air like a thick fog. He shifted and the cable-knit throw I'd tossed over him earlier bunched up at his waist.

"You had to go." Jaxon's shoulders slumped, and he buttoned the jacket. " Robin told me about the move. You were right not to wait."

I blinked twice. Not in a million years did I think I'd hear those words from him. "Really?"

"Don't look so surprised. Strategically, it was the right choice."

Strategically?

His eyes betrayed the hurt in his heart with their flickering glow. "I'm trying not to be the jealous boyfriend. But knowing how you feel about..." He paused like he didn't even want to recognize Kellan's name. "It's kind of hard." He ran a jerky hand through his hair, making it stick up all over the place. "And when the effects of this wear off, I can't even pummel him like he deserves or..." He tucked a finger under my chin and tilted my head toward the light.

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and he dusted a finger over the side of my face. "How long have I been out? This scar is practically healed and the bruises are all gone. What's in that cream your Gran makes?"

Instinctively, I rubbed the area where Otis had dug his fingers into my flesh—nothing but smooth skin. If my Gran's cream could turn that oozing wound into this in less than a day, everyone in the universe would want the recipe.

"Arnica cream is a family, secret recipe," I said, knowing full well the cream had nothing to do with my miraculous recovery.

"Wren," someone said beyond the distant thoughts of my mind.

The navy bedspread quickly faded into a dark haze. When I glanced at the headboard behind Jaxon, it had all but vanished.

"Don't go," Jax pleaded. "Not yet."

"I can't control..."

He disappeared, leaving me with the sound of the wagon bumping along the hard dirt path.

"Wren?" Kellan whispered.

Am I still dreaming? But when he wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me closer, Kellan's ring danced over my chest like a puppy greeting its master after a long day away. Definitely not a dream. His sea breeze scent washed over me, and I couldn't decide what to do—give in and snuggle closer or punch him for not picking a different spot in the wagon. After flip-flopping several times in my head, I forced my eyes open.

"So, you are awake." His cool aqua stare locked with mine.

Those alluring pools of blue were oceans I'd happily explore the depths of forever. I imagined crushing my lips to his, tasting his forbidden kiss and forgetting reality. Instead, I lifted his grip from my waist and placed his hand on his chest.

"I think you misplaced something," I said, trying to avoid his hypnotic gaze.

"Nope, just found something I'd lost." He grinned and dragged a finger along my collarbone.

His ring rushed to greet his touch, splashing over his fingertips. My skin prickled with tiny goosebumps, and I ached to hold him in my arms. I rolled over, crossed my arm over my chest, resisting the temptation to crumble like a sandcastle meeting the incoming tide. "Don't be so sure."

He let out a long sigh. "Why are you always so stubborn?"

His breath tickled my ear with his lips only inches away. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. He wasn't going to derail me. Breathe—in, out. "It's all a matter of perspective."

"How do you figure?"

"To you, I'm stubborn—because I won't give you what you want." I opened my eyes. "To me? I'm determined to do the right thing."

"And what's that exactly?

"The right thing is to let your friends sleep. But since you won't, here's the spoiler alert." Sage pushed up to sitting and brushed a piece of straw from her face. "She's in love with you."

I opened my mouth to object, but she held up a hand in the air to stop me.

"No point denying it, we all know it's true. Hell, even deep down I think Jaxon knows it." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Figure out a way to break the contract or say goodbye. Whatever you two decide, I'm in. But right now, I don't have my pillow, I smell like poo, and I'm—"

"Cranky?" I said.

"Very." Sage grumbled and laid back down. "You know I love you guys and would do anything for you, but maybe don't ask until I've had at least two more hours sleep."

Vega chuckled from atop one of the equestars behind the wagon, kicked the beast and trotted past us.

Kellan opened up a connection, tugging at the corner of my senses.

I'm not here to say goodbye, he said in a soft tone.

I know. But knowing he felt the same way about me only made what I had to do even harder. Maybe we should get some sleep and focus on rescuing my dad when we get up. We can talk about everything after that.

A cool breeze rustled the tree's leaves, making me shiver.

He took off his jacket and tossed it over me. We have to talk soon or later, preferably before Jaxon kills me.

His jacket was warm and smelled like him. I cuddled it up under my chin and breathed in his scent. You're right on both counts. Jaxon is pissed.

Kellan's body stiffened next to me. You've talked to him?

Sort of? I cringed knowing that wasn't something he'd wanted to hear. He somehow connected with me while I slept.

Let me guess, Jaxon knows you're with me.

He thought I'd run away with you. I turned, taking in his handsome rugged looks.

Beneath his dark lashes, his eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and a scene of my forgotten past begged to be remembered. Tendrils of the memory curled in my thoughts, but nothing solid enough for me to grab onto recall.

You mean you haven't? His lips curled into a smile. Cause I can't imagine why you riding in a wagon lying next to me might give him that impression.

That's not helping. I turned the rest of the way over and swatted his shoulder. You know I have every intention of going back once we retrieve my dad.

You never know, you could change your mind. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear and kissed my forehead. "Get some sleep," he whispered. We can talk tomorrow.

Sleep? How was that possible with him next to me?

He rested an arm over the side of me, and I listened to his heartbeat, our heartbeat, as he drifted to sleep.

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