Page 23 of Warrior's Purpose

She couldn’t evade Ash when he ensnared her in his steely arms and pulled her against his chest, but she didn’t fight either. He hunkered down on the ground, cradling her in his lap.

“Much has happened, Peanut,” he crooned, his chest vibrating.

“The last thing you need is me being a wreck,” she hiccupped, while snuggling into his warm, comforting body.

“I have only met a few human females, but one thing that amazes me is your strength.”

“Ha!”

“It is true,” he sternly insisted. “I sometimes wish Cadi could cry and get things out.”

Ash tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him, when she just wanted to hide. His ebony eyes were filled with sincerity. He cupped her cheeks and wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

“Ash.” The gesture made her tear up more.

“I have witnessed many horrors and lost many friends. As a young warrior I learned to harden myself to it and go on to fight another day. But now that we have peace, it angers me how we all were. Perhaps if we allowed ourselves to feel the depth of our loss, let it wash over us, maybe we wouldn’t have been so cavalier about going into battle, and the war would’ve ended sooner. You human females, as fragile as you are, have strengths that astound me. How such a dichotomy can dwell in the same place, I will never understand.”

“I’m sorry for everything you went through.” She couldn’t begin to imagine what Ash suffered and didn’t blame him for hardening his heart just to cope. She reached up and caressed Ash’s jaw, feeling the way the stubble tickled her palm. “I will be okay, I promise. Everything is just finally settling in. This is all so crazy, Ash. I’m totally out of my element and freaked out. I wish I was calm and numb and able to help you.”

“You helped us get away last night. Your warriors were so numerous, they would’ve caught me if you didn’t rescue me.” Ash hugged her tighter against his chest.

“That was a coincidence,” she snorted.

“Much in life is, and it’s only those who think fast who succeed and survive. You are the only one I know here. There is no one who will trust and understand I mean no ill will like you. You know this place and the people better than I ever will. Do not underestimate yourself. I am honored to have such a partner.”

“Thanks. You’re really good at giving pep talks.” Abby smiled up at him, and Ash grinned back.

“Let’s hang up our clothes so they dry by nightfall.” Ash snagged the snakeskin bag and untied the knot. “Now, female, go make yourself useful.” He nudged her off his lap with playful wink.

“Do you think you could reach in and pull them out? That bag is kind of gross.” She fluttered her lashes innocently.

“Of course.” Ash grabbed for the bag.

“Just kidding. Sucker!” Abby snatched it back with giggle. She might have been squeamish about the makeshift bag at first but had gotten over it.

“This is that contrary part, eh?”

She nodded emphatically and chuckled as she rose on her tiptoes to hang his cargo pants on a branch. She bent and fished her jeans out of the snake, glad the scales were on the inside rather than the fleshy bit. Her clothes already reeked of river water without adding snake guts.

Talking with Ash really had helped pull her back from the edge. Now that she had her melt down, it was time to discuss their next move.

Dust yourself off and get back on that horse, Peanut, she heard her father say.

Ash silently sat, likely debating what they needed to do. Abby glanced over her shoulder and a blush instantly heated her cheeks seeing what Ash was preoccupied with. His dark gaze was riveted to her lacy panties. No doubt she’d been giving him quite a show bending over and stretching upward. She wanted to groan. Next to Ash, with his ripped abs, corded arms, and an ass she could bounce quarters off of, she was a bunch of pudge.

I sooo need to start working out.

“So,” she cleared her throat, before turning around. “I was thinking our priorities are to find food and better shelter, like you said.” Her stomach growled at the thought of food. Thankfully she’d accidently sucked down enough river water to keep from being dehydrated. “Then if I can reach my mom, she has the number for my dad’s good friend on the force, Frank. Too bad my damn cell got wet,” she grumbled.

“Frank!” Ash perked up. “I believe that was the person Brennan was talking to before the warriors ambushed us.”

“Seriously? Did you hear what they said?”

“No. But I got the impression this Frank warned your sire that something was going on, because Brennan told us we needed to leave right afterward. Unfortunately, the warning came too late.” Ash scowled as he recalled the event.

“Then I’d say he’s our best man on the inside.” Of course, that still didn’t guarantee Ash’s safety. “Have you tried to contact your people again?”

“While we were walking here.” He nodded. “Something must be interfering with the signal.”

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