Page 66 of Monster's Pretty Bride

But I step forward, my fingers curling around the satchel. I kneel beside the massive, bleedingidiotwho still has the gall to smirk at me despite the gashes in his skin.

Carefully, I dip my fingers into the herbal paste, the sharp scent of crushed roots and moss filling my senses. I press it against the deepest wound, his shoulder. His body tenses, his abs flexing under my hand, but he makes no sound.

I try not to notice the way his heat sears into me. The way his chest rises and falls beneath my fingertips. The way his scent, dark, rich, laced with something untamed, lingers too close to my skin.

His voice is low, rough. “You’regentle, purna.”

I scowl. “Shut up.”

His lips twitch, but he doesn’t fight me.

I work in silence, pressing the salve into every wound, each slow pass of my fingers revealing the extent of his injuries. And that’s when I see it.

Thecracks.

They’ve spread.

Not just from battle wounds. Not just the bruises and slashes marking his body. No, these are somethingworse.

They glow faintly beneath the surface of his skin, fractured lines of light running along his forearms, curling over his ribs. As if his body isbreaking. As if something inside him is tearing apart, piece by piece.

I swallow hard. “This…this is the curse, right?”

His eyes flicker open, molten gold locking onto me. He watches me, unreadable, his gaze tracking my movements, my careful touch.

I hadn’t even realized I was being careful.

Before I can pull away, his hand snaps up, fingers locking around my wrist.

I suck in a sharp breath.

“Stay,” he rasps.

I shake my head. “I?—”

He tugs, and I lose my balance, toppling onto his chest with a muffled curse.

Heatpoursfrom him, his body solid and unyielding beneath mine, his grip still tight on my wrist. I struggle, trying to push up, but he’stoo strong, even injured.

“Let. Me. Go,” I hiss.

He doesn’t. Instead, his head tilts, his nose brushing along my throat, inhaling deep. My breathstops.

His voice is hoarse. “Yousmelllike fire.”

My entire body shudders.

He shifts beneath me, his legs trapping mine, his arm curling around my waist, locking me against him.Cagingme.

I shove at his chest, but my strength is useless against his sheermass. “Naranus.”

His response is a low, guttural sound of contentment.

“Stop. I?—”

“Stay.” His grip tightens, his words a command that rumbles through my bones.

Ishouldfight him. I should shove my dagger into his side, break his hold, remind him who Iam.

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