Page 15 of His Fierce Fugitive

Tak glances at me, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright, Iris?"

"Fine," I snap, immediately regretting my tone. I take a deep breath, trying to soften my voice. "I'm just… thinking about our next steps."

He nods, but I can see he doesn't believe me. He may know something's wrong, but he doesn't push. Instead, he reaches out, gently taking my hand. His touch is warm, comforting, and briefly, I let myself lean into it.

Slowly, the fear creeps back in, and I pull away, putting space between us. Tak's hand falls to his side. He says nothing, just keeps walking. I can see the hurt in his eyes, and it tears at my insides.

As we walk, I can't help but feel like I'm walking a tightrope, balanced precariously between my fear of vulnerability and my feelings for Tak.

I must’ve let myself lag behind for neither me nor Tak heard someone come up from behind.

The cold, calloused grip of a massive hand clamps around my wrist. Instinct kicks in, and I try to twist free, but the hold is unyielding.

Tak turns his eyes flashing with fury as he sees who has me.

The Warden of Lyrica, a hulking beast of an alien, that looks like a sasquatch in handmade leather clothes, grins maliciously. "Thought you could escape me and my prison, did you?" he sneers, his breath hot and foul. Two additional guards, minotaur-like, and heavily armed, flank Tak, their weapons pointed at him.

"Let her go," Tak growls, his voice a low, threatening rumble.

The Warden chuckles, sounding like a life-long smoker chewing gravel. "You're in no position to make demands, Kraetian." He jerks me closer, his grip bruising. "I had to come after you myself. My jailers couldn't be trusted to do the job right."

Tak's eyes narrow, and I can see the calculations spinning through his mind. He's not just a tracker; he's a strategist, always looking for the best way to turn a situation around.

"You're making a big mistake, asshole," I snap. "We have powerful allies."

The Warden laughs, a harsh, grating sound. "Powerful allies? You mean Ydris? I just met with the King and his new Queen. They’re clueless. Told them I’d do my best to find you. I didn’t say if I did that I’d let them know. You’ll be quite the prize for the right buyer." He drags me toward the ship, the guards shoving Tak along beside us.

Tak's eyes meet mine, and there's a spark of something there.

As we're loaded up the ramp onto the ship, Tak makes his move. With a swiftness that belies his size, he snatches a taser from one of the guards, breaking free from their grasp. He lunges at the Warden, the taser crackling with electricity.

The Warden yelps in pain as Tak steps on his bulky chest to hold him down, then yanks the laser gun from his belt.

Two fiery rounds blast from the gun, striking down each guard.

I stumble on the ramp, catching myself on the side of the ship.

I watch as the Warden rises up behind him. “Tak!” I yell.

But as Tak turns back the Warden swipes at Tak, his claws raking a huge gash across Tak's chest. Dark blue blood pours from the wound, and Tak staggers back, his face contorted in pain.

“No!” I don't think; I just act. I pick up the laser gun from one of the guards and shoot the Warden in the back. He falls with a hard thud, his body going instantly still.

I drop the gun, my hands shaking.

I’ve never killed anyone before.

I look over to my silver alien. "Tak!" I rush to his side, my heart pounding heavy in my chest. He's slumped on the ground, his hand pressed to the wound, blood seeping through his fingers.

"Iris," he murmurs, his voice weak. "You... you saved me."

"Don't talk," I say, my voice choked. I pull the tool kit from Tak’s pack at his belt. I’m trembling as I try to open it. "I need to stop the bleeding."

I work quickly, tearing open the kit and pulling out gauze and antiseptic. I clean the wound as best I can, my heart aching at the sight of his blood. I press the gauze to the gash, applying pressure.

"You're going to be okay," I whisper, more to myself than to him. "We're going to get out of here."

Tak's eyes flutter open, and he gives me a small smile. "If I don’t make it…know that I love you, Iris. Whether or not you believe it, you’re my mate. I know it in my heart."

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