Page 83 of Of Rime and Ruin
I hiss. “Dammit, Nahlani.”
Her mouth moves against my chest. “It’s N-N-Nahla,” she chatters.
I dip my head, tucking my ear inside the furs to hear her better. “What?”
She huffs and tries again. “My n-name. It-t-t’s Nahla. Only my s-sister c-calls me Nahlani, when I’m in t-t-trouble.”
“Nahla.” My tongue curls around her name, as my grip tightens on her wrist, monitoring her quickening pulse. “Youarein trouble.”
“I’m f-f-f-fine. Really.”
Whaleshit.She’s one cold gust of wind from dissolving on her feet. Where is Lucas when I need him? I tear my gaze from her, searching for the healer. He dismounts with the speed of a slogfish, ambling toward us.
“Do something,” I snarl.
Lucas raises his hands and readies his spell. Golden tendrils of healing magic dance around his fingertips. His mouth quirks.
“What are you waiting for?”
He nods sharply. “I need toseethe patient, Sire. You’re blocking her.”
Right.With stiff arms, I part my cloak, revealing the shivering princess within my grasp. She gasps as the wind rushes in.
“Make it quick,” I snap.
Lucas reaches for Nahla, and his long fingers cup her cheeks. Every nerve in my body stretches taut. His Voice whines and weaves as his magic enters her skin. The glow spreads through her limbs, illuminating the pads of her fingers, the tip of her nose. It swirls over her belly and legs, wrapping around her thighs.
The healer stares into her eyes with intensity and presses closer, closer. Nahla gasps, a soft hiccup in her throat, and my temper roars. My hands quake. My thighs clench. It takes every ounce of self-control not to rip her from his grasp.
From the depths of my mind, the Beast crawls out. His claws scrape, clamoring for control.She’s mine. Jealousy stings, like a poison in my veins.
I tremble, watching Lucas as he watches her, and quietly break at the seams. One wrong touch—one lengthy glance—and the healer’s head will land in the snow.
Finally, he severs the spell. “I got the worst of the frostbite. Find her a hat and keep her under furs. Body heat is best for hypothermia. She needs to warm up slowly.”
Nahla trembles in my arms. “C-can’t your magic warm me up-p?”
Lucas bends, stooping to her level. I bristle. She’s not a fucking guppy.
“Sorry, m’lady. We’ve been over this, remember? My magic doesn’t work like that. No heat, only healing.” He raises his hands in defense.
Her teeth chatter loudly in response. “R-r-right.”
Anger flares hotter. Has she beenthiscold before, to have needed to ask Lucas for help? Fucking hell. What a complete dick I’ve been.
“Would you like me to take her weight, Sire? There’s room on my mount.” Lucas flashes a debonair smile.
“No,” I growl. I pull the cloak around her once more, smothering her to my chest. My heart thunders, so hot and heavy I’m sure she can hear it. “She’s my responsibility, and you have reading to do.”
Without waiting for her protest, I lift her into my arms. My hands splay across her round ass, holding her feet out of the snow as I walk her to my mount and swing her into the saddle facing backward.
Nahla will ride with me.
I mount with her, so our chests meet. Heart to heart, that’s the best way to warm her. I unbutton my shirt, exposing bare skin.
She gasps, eyes widening. “W-what happened to you?”
With cold fingers, she traces the web of scars on my stomach, each one a memento of a fight I can’t remember. My muscles clench at her touch.
