Page 46 of Trapped By Claws
But Corvin was shaking his head harshly, mouthing the word "no" over and over.
I froze. Even as the end of my cherished wooden spoon caught fire. Even as Corvin lay there motionless, his hand clasped over the serrated blade. His blood pooled on the stone floor, and he just kept mouthing the word "no."
Tagger wasn't moving from beneath the table. He too just stared at the door.
My entire body ached with the inaction.
The door slammed open again.
I almost let a startled scream slip out, my eyes bulging.
Black Claws stood there, scanning the room. He looked down at Corvin, eyes narrowing. "Pathetic," he growled. Then he spat on him. He jerked the door shut behind him.
This time the runes sealed over it.
As soon as the light of the runes flared and vanished, Tagger bounded to Corvin. He started nuzzling and licking him, whimpering and squeaking.
I shoved the panel back, practically falling out. The stone struck me hard, but I scrambled forward, barely feeling the pain. "Corvin!"
He dragged the blade out, his face contorting. His bright-green eyes had dulled, and the green and yellow of his flesh had faded to sickly hues. Dark veins sprouted around the two broken claws cutting into his wrists. His breathing was labored and shallow, his eyes glazed with pain. By the time I got up from my stumble, he was moving.
Limbs trembling, he struggled up on his knees and avoided the broken pottery and clay. His hand gripped the table, hisclaws digging into the wood as he drew in a ragged breath. He snatched the jar with his medicine and shoved a handful of the herbs straight into his bleeding mouth.
I grabbed the mildewed mats and dragged them back into the bedroom. The one blanket had been ripped in half, but it would still do for now. Though it was one of the saddest beds I'd ever seen, it was better than nothing.
I rushed to his side as he struggled forward. Though normally he towered over me, he leaned heavily against my shoulder as I helped him hobble to the makeshift bed. His breath came in shuddering gasps and his stripes continued fading to a sickly grey.
"Lie down." I eased him onto the mats.
"I just need to rest. I'll be fine," he said, his voice shaking at the end. He lay down on his side immediately. His tunic and trousers were soaked with blood.
"Do you need me to bind your wounds?"
"I've closed off the bleeding," he said weakly. "I'll be fine."
My heart pounded nonetheless. How could he survive all that?
"I didn't think they would come here," he murmured. "I—I was wrong. I was wrong, Mena."
"What can I do?" I placed my hand against his throat, checking his pulse. It was weak beneath my fingertips.
"I just—I just have to heal." His eyelids slid shut.
"You will." I stroked his silky hair, my fingers teasing at the curls. Why hadn't he defended himself? He'd taken the beating with little protest. And he'd protected Tagger and me. A knot of emotion formed in my throat, tears choking me. Those fae were just being cruel to him. "Do they often do this to you?"
He shook his head, his cheek resting against his arm as he supported himself. "Worse this time. Lishen was angry. So was the king. I've made them suspicious."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He shook his head.
I sat there with him in silence, watching and considering what had happened. He wasn't healing fast after that initial burst either. When I pressed him, he said it was just because of the internal wounds and the venom from two of the claws. "The venom is targeted at my blood as it is now to keep me in check. It's designed to be exceptionally painful and draining." His eyes remained shut.
More and more cruelty against him.
Had the bruising on his face gone down? Maybe a little. The deep cut across his lip had finally healed.
Tagger whimpered and nuzzled him. He then moved under Corvin's arm and put his wet snout directly on his chin.
