Chapter 27

The evening breeze carried the scent of night-blooming jasmine as Arlena stood in the empty tent where Boren had been held. Her fingers traced the rough bark of the tree that had anchored his chains; for a moment, she closed her eyes, recalling the warmth of his skin, and the strength of his embrace, when a single tear rolled down her cheek, catching the fading sunlight that filtered through the tent's canvas.

"Arlena."

She turned to see Arden standing at the tent's entrance. For a brief moment, his usual subtle smile appeared - the one that always touched his face when he saw her. But the same second it vanished without a trace when he noticed her reddened eyes.

Under his damp honey-colored shirt that clung to his body. Arlena noticed the power of his chest rose and fell with quick, nervous breaths, still winded from the journey. There was a darkness in his gaze tonight—an unfamiliar intensity that sent her pulse racing.