Page 45 of Feral Guardian
“If it becomes a habit, you will undoubtedly reveal your true nature to potential suitors before you’ve secured their promise of marriage,” I warn.
Her expression falls solemn, and she nods. “Right.”
Kor’Tar huffs from the opening of the alcove and gives a questioning whinny.
“We’re all right, boy. It’s safe now,” Lily says.
“Hopefully,” I grumble. “I don’t think I can manage another bear attack.”
She tuts. “Youmanaged that attack, did you? I’m fairly certain I got the killing blow.”
I scowl at her. “Only after I served as the distraction.”
She smiles. “Yes, very good work. You keep them entertained, and I’ll do all the murder.”
Her wound is mostly stitched by her magic and my runes, so she releases the tourniquet.
I sigh. “As much as I’d like to get more distance between us and Yelesna, we need to find somewhere to rest for the night. I’m in no shape to fight, and neither are you. We’ll need sleep to recuperate our magic and our strength.”
She grins. “Okay.”
My scowl deepens. “What?”
She shakes her head. “What would my mother think about me bedding down with my guard?”
Unbidden images of being tucked under a blanket, holding Lily close, flash through my mind. Her cheeks flush that soft rose color, the one that matches her scent. I curl her backside against me with one hand firmly on her hip as the other arm rests under her head and across her neck to grope her full—
“We are notbedding down,” I snap. “We’re…making camp.”
Her grin widens. “Okay.”
I growl, which turns into another groan as I push to my feet.
“Old man,” she snickers as she passes me with a slight limp.
I grab her arm and pull her back. “No. No more wandering away without me. We stick together at all times. You will always be within sight of me.”
She scoffs. “You mean to say that I’m to take a shit right in front of you?”
“Lilianna,” I rumble with exhaustion.
“What? It’s an honest question. I don’t want to watchyoutake a shit, either,” she says.
I take a breath and beg Nol’Ther for her calm. “I will turn my back and stand upwind.”
Her eyes round. “You can’t be serious.”
My grip tightens on her arm, and I lean in. “I am serious. Your survival is more important than your embarrassment of having to defecate in my presence. I will not be caught off-guard again.”
She looks away and her face burns with color as her mouth opens and closes without any words emerging.
I grip her chin and turn her eyes back toward me. “Is that clear?”
Her jaw flexes and the impish gleam returns to her eyes. “Suppose I’ll just eat all the cheese you haphazardly stuffed into a bedsheet last night and stop myself up for the remainder of the journey.”
I can’t contain my smirk. “You remember that?”
“I remember bits and pieces after Duncan.” Her eyes go distant. “Lucas begged for mercy…”
