Page 30 of Chains of Love

"The washroom's free," the human mumbles, nodding toward the door.

Lirien stirs again. "Actually, I should-"

"I'll walk you." I'm already reaching up to help her down.

"How sweet," Karn drawls. "Such a devoted brother."

I ignore him, keeping my body between them and Lirien as we exit. The narrow corridor rocks with the waves, forcing her to steady herself against my chest. The contact sends warmth spreading through me, reminding me of nights spent holding her close. For protection, I'd told myself then. But now...

"You don't have to hover," she whispers. "I can handle myself."

"I know." But I won't risk it. Not with the way they look at her. Not when every protective instinct screams at me to keep her safe, to feel her pressed against me again, to...

I shake the thought away. "Just hurry back."

She nods and slips inside. I take up my post outside the door, glaring at any passing crew member who glances too long in this direction. The bond thrums between us, letting me sense her nearness, her safety.

It would be so easy to suggest sharing the bunk again, to make excuses about watching over her. But I know the real reason I want her close has nothing to do with protection anymore. And that terrifies me more than any enemy I've faced.

Lirien emerges, walking ahead of me as we make our way back to the room. I return her to her bed and the lamps are blown out as we call it a night.

The ship lurches violently, and Lirien's scream pierces through my restless sleep. My eyes snap open just in time to see her small form tumbling from the top bunk. The crash of waves against the hull drowns out the thud of her landing.

"Well, what do we have here?" Vex is already out of his bed, helping Lirien up with his hands lingering on her waist. "Such a delicate thing shouldn't sleep so high up."

My muscles tense as Lirien tries to pull away, but Vex's grip tightens. "I'm fine, really-"

"Share my bunk," Karn offers, patting the space beside him. "I'll make sure you don't fall again. A proper protector, unlike your... brother."

The way his tongue wraps around that last word makes my blood boil. Through our bond, I feel Lirien's panic spike as Vex's hands slide lower.

"Let go." My voice cuts through the darkness like steel.

Vex's smile doesn't waver. "Just helping the lady-"

I'm across the small space in one stride. My fingers wrap around his wrist, applying just enough pressure to make him wince. "I said, let go."

The moment Vex releases her, I sweep Lirien into my arms and deposit her on my lower bunk, positioning her against the wall. Her breath comes in short gasps, fingers clutching my shirt.

"Stay." The word comes out as a growl. I turn to face the others, placing myself between them and Lirien. "Anyone touches her again, they lose their hands."

"Such hostility," Karn drawls. "Almost like you're jealous."

"Almost like you're not really siblings," Vex adds.

My hand finds the hilt of my sword. "Almost like you should mind your own business."

I lay down beside her, keeping my movements slow and deliberate to avoid rocking the narrow bunk. The thin mattress dips under our combined weight. "Can't you spell them to be blind? Or mute?"

Her quiet laugh sends a shiver through me, but it dies in her throat as I wrap my arms around her waist. I pull her against my chest, fitting her small frame perfectly against mine. The scent of herbs and moonflowers fills my nose – her scent. It mingles with the salt air, creating something uniquely intoxicating.

My voice drops to barely a whisper against her ear. "I won't let them hurt you." The bond thrums insistently, carrying my fierce protectiveness. My arms tighten around her. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Through our connection, I feel her heart racing. Whether from fear of our bunkmates or my closeness, I can't tell. Maybe both. But she doesn't pull away, and that small victory makes my chest tighten with an unfamiliar warmth.

"Watch your step,"I say, steadying Lirien as she navigates the slick gangplank. The salt-crusted wood creaks beneath our feet, and I keep my hand hovering near her elbow.

The remainder of our journey by sea went well enough. Neither the human or the elves overstepped too far after that night in the cabin.

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