Page 19 of Feral Guardian
“Did they hurt you?” he whispers with an edge of fury.
“They tried,” I say. “I killed him.”
The reminder of what’s still between my legs turns my stomach again. I lean over the railing and dry heave.
When I’ve stopped, Alastair pulls me against his chest, coaxing my legs around his hips.
“No, wait,” I whisper. “I…it’s. I did things—”
He pulls me up and forces my legs around his hips. I wrap my arms around his neck and sob into his shoulder at the pressure of my spikes biting into his stomach. He descends the side of the ship to the boat waiting below. I don’t let him go when we hit the bottom, and he doesn’t let me go, either.
“You’re very smart and brave,” he says as he rows us toward shore.
“I mutilated myself with a dead man’s bones and teeth,” I whisper.
His cheek is warm against mine as he whispers back, “I will always protect you, but I know you can protect yourself, too. I’m glad for it. You’re a warrior. You’re my queen.”
I take a shuddering breath and heave my sorrow into Alastair’s shoulder.
He doesn’t know how wrong he is yet.
But he will soon enough.
Chapter seven
Alastair
My body is near the breaking point. Lily clings to me and I feel the sharp sting of her defenses against my stomach. She killed a man. I never wanted my princess to have to kill. I want to cradle her and stroke her hair, comfort her. What must she be going through right now? I can’t begin to imagine.
I wish I’d gotten there sooner. I wish her attacker still lived so I could kill him again. The things I would do to him for her…
The muscles in my arms ripple and give out briefly. I look over my shoulder. The shore is close. Just a little more. Just a few more pulls, and Lily will be safe again. She’s warm against my chest and despite the cold pattering of rain on my head, I feel my eyes droop. Almost there.
Kor’Tar whinnies loudly and my head snaps up. Did I nod off? I look over my shoulder to see we’re farther than before. I pull the oars through the choppy water and bite back a curse. Kor’Tar will take over for me when we get to shore. I just need to get us there.
I pull and pull, looking deep in me for the strength to keep going, for strength from my curse. But that power is all used up. If I were to set the demon free now, I might not be able to regain control.
I fall forward and I drop the oars in a rush to cradle Lily as I slip from the seat to my knees. I shake my head and pull myself back up into position.
“Alastair, are you all right?” Lily asks, her arms uncoiling from my neck so she can look at me.
Her eyes go wide. “You’re drained. Gods, you’re nearly dead! Alastair.” She cups my cheeks and my eyes droop again. Her touch feels so nice, like falling into bed after a hard day of training.
She pulls one hand away. I try to tell her to put it back, but my tongue can’t find the words and I mumble nonsense instead. She’s right. I’m drained. I let the demon out for too long.
“Open your mouth,” she orders.
I do as she commands and feel the touch of glass to my lips. “Drink.”
She tilts something citrus sweet onto my tongue and I swallow. Her arms come around my neck and she whispers in my ear, “You’ll be okay. Let’s just sit like this for a moment.”
Slowly, the rain slapping against my back brings more alertness to my body. I blink my eyes open and run my hands up and down her back.
“What was that?” I ask.
“Headmistress’s secret stash of wakefulness potion,” she says. “It’s a poor substitute for rest, but I have to keep you awake long enough to get to Kor’Tar. I fear I’m not strong enough to get your massive body into the saddle.”
I give her a weak chuckle. “Why can’t you just shrink me with your magic?”
