No matter how many times she tried, Carissa found herself unable to rid herself of her smile. She replayed her sword fight with Elon and laughed softly, recalling how large his eyes had grown just before she'd kissed him. Even though he had foresight, she was glad she was still capable of surprising him.

A sharp tug on her pants—Elon's pants, rather—made her glance down. A little girl extended her arms, her eyes wide and pleading, and Carissa's heart melted as she scooped her up. What would her child with Elon look like? She desperately wanted to know... but she supposed she had enough children under her charge between Lyron and Lila.

At the thought of the girl, Carissa began skimming the crowd for her among the women. Lila was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she'd stayed at camp. It seemed Lila had been keeping more and more to herself lately. After seeing Lila's self-loathing once they'd rescued her, it was rather concerning.

Although Carissa had felt much the same way when Akar had tossed her aside. She shuddered. Perhaps once Lila was given enough love and time, she'd begin to heal as Carissa had.

The hush of running water grew louder, and Carissa set the girl down as they approached the river. The women spread along the banks of the river, setting their baskets of clothing at the edge of the water.

Carissa swiped a few rags and shirts to clean before moving upriver of the rest of the women—where the water was cleaner. A few girls chased each other before wandering into the cold river water. Their squeals echoed through the forest as they splashed each other.

Carissa glanced up to scan her surroundings—a habit she'd picked up since crossing the border. The noise seemed too loud in the forest. But then again, most forests in Esmeray were deathly silent. Perhaps she was just uncomfortable because it was unusual to hear laughter ring out in this place of death.

She returned her attention to her washing, and a prickling sensation spread across her arms. Perhaps she should have asked Elon to accompany them. Esmeray was no place to—

"What do we have here? A nightwoman away from her nighthouse?"

Carissa tried to whip around to face him while standing, but in her panic, she twisted her ankle before crashing into the shallow riverbed behind her. The water was like ice, but staring at Akar, she could scarcely feel it.

He loomed above her, towering and dark as a storm cloud. He held Lila captive in his large hands, a dagger pointed at her throat, just above a bejeweled collar. He must have used the collar to suppress Lila's powers again.

His gaze raked down her clothes, now wet and plastered to her figure. He smiled, and terror clutched Carissa's chest, stalling her heart. She should move, rise, run, fight.

Before she could do so, Akar pressed the dagger more firmly against Lila's pale neck, drawing a ribbon of blood and a whimper from the girl. "It's your choice, Carissa. Who gets to be my plaything today: you or Lila?"

When Carissa's response wasn't immediate, Akar slowly slid the knife along Lila's neck, cutting shallowly into her skin. Blood welled up in the cut—the contrast against her skin like roses on snow.

"M–Me. I'll be your—" The words jumbled, snared in her throat.

Akar's smiled deepened. "My plaything. Excellent." He released Lila, and she darted back to the group of women, who'd fallen silent and still at the sight of Akar.

Akar approached her, the water sloshing against his legs, and Carissa scrambled backwards, shivers wracking her so hard she could scarcely breathe.

He chuckled. "You used to be so strong, Carissa, your spirit wild and free. Unbroken." He pulled his shirt up and over his head, tossed it into the river. "And now look at you: a scared, shaking little girl."

Akar began to unclasp his belt, and Carissa could have sworn the river water had seeped into her veins—icy and chilling. Akar was right; she was behaving as a scared, shaking little girl. She'd faced him before. She could fight him—had to. Carissa dug her fingers into the sand of the riverbed until her hand curled around a stone.

Akar pulled his belt off and held it in one hand, coiled into two large loops. If he hadn't discarded the belt, then he meant to use it on her.

He took another step towards her, splashing water on her, and Carissa drew her arm back and threw the stone. It pelted his chest before plopping back into the river.

Akar tilted his head back and laughed, though she caught a glimpse of the anger in his eyes. "Pitiful, Carissa. Tell me: how do you think Elon will react when he sees us making love in the riverbed? When he sees me plundering what should be his?"

Carissa shuffled backwards, her hands desperately searching for another stone. "If it were with you, it wouldn't be making love. Perhaps hate, but never love."

"Then so be it." Akar stood over her and began to reach for her.

Though panic shot through her, Carissa waited. Once his hand was close enough, she could bite him. Hopefully he'd be distracted enough for her to escape, and—

"Excuse me," someone yelled behind them.

Akar froze, his expression contorting into a snarl before he glanced over his shoulder.

Elon stood on the riverbank, leaning against a tree with his sword held casually to the side. "Here you're asking her what Elon would do when the man himself is right here. And you know what I think Elon would do?" Elon raised his sword. "He'd probably do something like this."

Within the span of a blink, Elon was charging towards Akar. Before Akar could react, they crashed into each other, falling into the deeper section of the river. The frothing water veiled what was happening beneath the surface.

Carissa shot to her feet, wincing as her left ankle throbbed in pain. Where were they? Could Elon be hurt? True, he was nearly invincible, but surely he needed air. Blood reddened the water, and panic surged within her.

Just as she was about to dive in after him, Elon's head broke the surface. He rose from the water, dragging Akar behind him. He practically tossed Akar onto the shore before turning towards Carissa.

Carissa's eyes were drawn towards Akar as the man began to stir. There was a gaping wound in his shoulder—likely that was what had darkened the water. Why hadn't Elon simply let Akar drown?

Elon followed her gaze, his eyes burning dark and hot. "I'm not done with him yet, Carissa."

Oh. Akar shook his head, scattering water droplets, and blinked. Carissa limped towards Elon, keeping the weight off of her twisted ankle. "Do you have a spare weapon?"

From her peripheral vision, she saw Akar's black gaze focus on her, and despite herself, she began to tremble. She had to be armed and ready by the time Akar was recovered.

Elon ran his hands down her arms before interlacing this fingers. "I don't think you need a weapon for this."

Was he asking her to fight Akar with her bare hands? Bile singed the back of her throat at the thought of touching Akar.

"You should return with the rest of the women. Let me finish this."

Akar rose to a sitting position. "Yes, Carissa. Run away and hide. I'll find you again sooner or later."

As a shudder cascaded down her body, Elon tightened his grip on her hands. "Carissa, let me fight this battle for you."

She swallowed tightly. "But shouldn't I fight him? Face my fears?"

"You have faced your fears—many times. This, however, is a burden I'd rather bear for you. As your husband, it's my privilege and duty to protect you. Will you let me do this for you, Carissa?"

She nodded, her body slackening in relief. While she didn't want to be a coward, she was more than glad to surrender this burden to Elon. "Thank you."

Elon pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Of course." He released her hands. "Now leave with the other women. Once I'm finished with him, I'll return for you."

As she limped towards the women, she glanced over her shoulder and found Elon standing before Akar, his bloodied sword in hand, standing motionless. He was waiting to finish Akar until they'd all left.

Once Carissa had calmed the women, she guided them back towards the fortress. Rain sprinkled through the trees. It seemed none of the newly laundered clothes would be dry by the morning.

Carissa remained at the entrance of the passage, until the last person had disappeared inside. She glanced up at the darkening sky as it began weeping in earnest.

Night was fast approaching—and with it, the Yare wolves. She hoped Elon would come inside the fortress soon.

***

Author's Note: Who get a 94 on her American Politics midterm--and still managed to update TKCB? 😉 Thank you guys for all your well-wishing during midterm week! I really appreciate the support. 💖 And to further express my appreciation, I left a sneak peek for you guys!