Free Villains by Rhiannon Paille Page B

of his cloak, the first time she dared to touch him since he stepped off the boat. He glanced at her with an expression that could cut glass; but she gripped him tighter.
    “We forgot the wise man.” Inside she beamed, thinking he would have to come back with her to show her how to release him from the tree, but Kallow winked at her, and went to step into the boat.
    “I know.”
    She frowned. “Why would you do that?”
    Kallow smirked. “You’re a very peculiar girl, Aria.”
    Aria gulped, afraid he would step onto the boat and take off into the mists and she’d never see him again. She glared at the snake bracelet and tried to control the sparks of fire ready to burst. “I need to know, tell me why you left him.”
    “All in good time, youngling.” He went to wrench out of her grip but she pulled back and tumbled onto the grass, pulling him with her. She squeezed her eyes shut and cringed as body parts collided, feeling his full weight on top of her. She didn’t move for a long time, and neither did he. When she opened her eyes, his were fixed on her, confusion rattling her to the core. She could feel him, all of him, it was real. Flutters spread through her and she lost control, lighting up like the surface of a million suns, light crackling through her violet tinged skin. She felt hot everywhere, especially where his fingers brushed along her skin.
    “It isn’t possible…” he breathed, trailing his fingers along her shoulder blade, her collar bone. His touch elicited a sound from Aria that was between a sigh and a moan. “I haven’t been able to feel a thing in centuries.”
    Aria moved her hand from clamping his arm to cupping his face as he leaned into her, his lips brushing her palm, sending another wave of sparks through her. “I haven’t been able to touch anyone but you,” she said.
    His eyes tightened. “I’m your first?”
    “You’re my only,” Aria replied. Tears clogged her throat as he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. And in a moment it was over. Kallow pushed himself to his feet and took her hand in his, tracing circles on her palm as he stole away to the boat. She didn’t know how to feel anymore, elated, heavy, joyful, sorrowful, awestruck. He kissed the back of her hand and stepped into the boat, her hand trapped in his. In an instant, his hand turned to bone, and the cloak covered his face. Aria blinked, surprised by the sudden change, because for a moment, he was nothing but a boy.
    “I will return for the wise man,” the Ferryman said, his tone all business. He let go of her and pushed off the shores.
    Aria didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she watched him go. He found a reason to return. It filled her with a truth so powerful she could barely fathom it.
    The Ferryman belonged to her.
    ***

Chapter 4
    Aria walked back to the cairn, the taste of the Ferryman on her tongue. Her mouth watered and she swallowed, savoring him as it trickled down her throat. She smiled so wide her aura glowed, lighting her way as she twisted and pirouetted on the balls of her feet. The moans from the trees mingled with the wind as she passed the fork in the road and paused thoughtfully, closing her eyes to relive the moment. She glanced at the snake attached to her wrist, a symbol of his love for her. She found the large rock and rounded it, her stomach lurching as Cassareece’s blue-lightning eyes pierced hers. Aria clutched her stomach, trying to conceal her loud thoughts from the Valtanyana woman.
    “You returned.”
    Cassareece raised her eyebrows and followed Aria inside the cairn. The fire was burning down to the embers and light was scant. “I promised. Do you think I don’t keep my promises?”
    Aria shook her head, something was different about Cassareece, she was vexed. “I didn’t expect you…now.”
    Cassareece flicked something off her shoulder and swept her long white blonde hair behind her. “The time for death has come. You didn’t think I’d warn