Page 13 of Risking Her Heart

As much as I don’t want to hurt her, the risk of not acting is greater. Spinning out from beneath her in such a way that I move her behind me, I swing the blade left handed.

The blade misses my target. I intended to hit the sand snake right below its head, but the blade hits at the midsection of itsbody. The lack of resistance on the opposite side prevents it from cutting through.

Though I failed to kill it in a single blow, it does fly away from her. I jump to my feet, landing in a crouch, blocking the way between the creature and her. It twists and flops around on top of the sand. Mortally wounded, the zmeya is as or more dangerous than if it wasn’t.

My lochaber is on the alpha guster. It would be the better choice of weapons by far, but to get it, I’d have to leave her exposed. That I will not do.

The zmeya silently struggles. I stalk towards it. It senses my coming, twisting until its mouth is facing me. Narrowing my eyes I try to judge the best approach.

It’s bleeding and will die, sooner or later, but until it does, it’s a threat. I shift the blade to my right hand, grabbing it by the point. I step to one side as I raise the blade, cocking my arm back.

The instant the zmeya shifts, I throw.

The blade glints as it tumbles through the air and strikes. The tip buries itself into the snake’s head. It twists once, twice, then lies dead.

I walk over, retrieve my knife, then grab the creature. Its meat will make a satisfying meal, extending our supplies. I check on Katarina and only when I see she seems to be resting peacefully do I go to setup the tent.

8

KATARINA

My head is thundering. Pressure throbs with every beating of my heart. I haven’t even opened my eyes, and it feels like they’re going to explode. I groan and throw my arm over my eyes.

What happened to me? Where am I?

The arm feels too heavy, taking too much effort to lift, and I can’t hold it up. Letting it drop onto my head makes everything hurt worse.

“Treasure?” Zas’tu’s voice is soft and close.

“Uhhh…” I groan.

I try to open my eyes, but the light is too much. It feels like sharp tines stabbing into my brain. My mouth is so dry I can hardly swallow. My tongue is thick and feels like sandpaper. I move my mouth trying to work moisture back into it.

“Relax. Safe,” Zas’tu says.

I feel his body close, pressing against my side. A wave of nausea causes my stomach to painfully clamp onto itself. I retch, barelyable to keep it under control. He wraps his arms around, pulling me close until my cheek rests on the welcoming cool scales of his chest. I shift around until I’m comfortably tucked in his lap with my face pressing onto his bare chest.

“Sorry,” I murmur.

“No. No sorry,” he says.

“Hmm,” I murmur not having the strength to argue.

I can’t even open my eyes, how am I supposed to argue with him? My thoughts drift around and away, trying to escape the throbbing pain. He runs his hands over my hair and shoulders in a soothing gesture.

I give myself over to his affection, passing in and out of consciousness. I don’t know how much time passes like this but eventually I feel a little less like crap. Finally, I open my eyes and he’s right there. Close. So close, I could kiss him. Concern is clearly written in the lines of his face.

I force a smile that I’m not feeling. His frown deepens as he brushes my hair to the side. The coolness of his fingertips leaves a trail of relief in their passing. I close my eyes, enjoying the contact.

“Better?” he asks.

I nod slowly, afraid to trigger the headache’s return. The pain and nausea seem to be gone, but I’m exhausted. More tired than I can recall ever feeling in my life. Something gently touches my lips. I crack my eyes open and see him holding the water skin and then I part my poor, chapped lips. The water isn’t chilled. We have no means of doing that, but it doesn’t matter. It tastesand feels amazing. I’ve never enjoyed a sip of anything so much in all my life. It feels as if my body springs to life in response.

I remember in my biology class in school watching a time-lapse vid of a flower growing. I feel like that flower must have. Breaking free of the dirt, stretching towards the sun. I push myself up, wanting more water, but he pulls it away.

“Slow,” he says, stopping me. “Too much… bad.”

He stumbles over the last word clearly looking for the right one. I sigh but give him a small nod to show I do understand. I snuggle in closer. The coolness is so nice. And as I begin to feel better, I’m also very aware of more. Of his bulging muscles. The rock hard abdominal muscles, his pectorals, his tail curling around my backside.

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