Page 42 of When Wishes Bleed

“The threat is gone for now,” I explained.

“What about next time?”

“Fate will warn me again. I’ll get to you faster. I promise.” I swung my feet over the side of the bed and Tauren’s eyes caught on my bare legs. He swallowed thickly, keeping his hands on his thighs. I became aware of how close we were. How he was shirtless, his skin flawless, yet kissed by the sun, and of every muscle beneath that held him still as death.

It would be so easy for him to run his hand up my calf, then higher still. I pushed the thought away and refocused.

“You should keep your guards close at all times, even at night.”

He nodded.

I wanted to rake a hand through his unruly hair, pull his face toward mine, and gaze into his golden eyes… and more. But I couldn’t. “I should go back to my room.”

His hand flinched toward me, but he schooled his features as the door opened, revealing the waddling form of a short, white-haired man.

“You called for me, Prince?” The man stared between us. “Is someone injured?”

“She had a pain in her side, but it’s gone away now,” he answered for me.

“May I check, dear?” the medic asked, pushing small spectacles up onto his nose.

“Please allow it,” Tauren breathed.

At my nod, the doctor asked, “Could you give us a moment, Prince?”

Tauren stood, his eyes meeting mine. “I’ll be just outside.”

He would be safer in here. I opened my mouth to tell him so when he left me, striding across the room and ducking outside the door, pulling it closed.

The doctor opened a small bag and pulled out some sort of tube, the shape eerily reminiscent of a wishbone on one end. He stuck those ends in his ears and took hold of a piece of metal at the other. “May I listen?”

“Listen to what?” I asked, easing away from him.

The doctor left, chuckling. “She’s never seen a stethoscope,” he told Tauren as he stepped outside, leaving the door wide open.

Glad to have provided his evening entertainment, I thought as I continued to eavesdrop.

“She’s fine, Sire. If she has any more pain, she knows to come and find me.”

“I need to give her the map she asked for so that she can find you.”

The old man laughed and waddled back down the hallway. Tauren ducked back inside and leaned against the door. I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said, relieved.

“I told you I was.”

“I know. I just… you scared me.”

“I panicked because I thought you were in danger. I apologize for scaring you.”

He shook his head. “You didn’t scare me because you came, it scared me to see you hurt and bleeding. I don’t want to see you suffer just for helping me, Sable.”

I wanted to tell him it would hurt more for me to leave.

He pushed off the door and closed the distance between us, cupping my elbows and placing a gentle kiss on my temple. “You were right. You should go back to your room.”

I nodded.

“May I see you in the morning?” he asked.

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