Page 53 of Trapped By Claws
"And that doesn't extend to you? Don't you deserve to live?"
"Fate and life aren't about what's deserved. Simply what is." He pressed his finger to my lips. "You have a chance, Mena. I'm going to make sure you get it. I just ask that you think about what you want for your life and don't always think immediately about what others want or need."
"And what if what I want is for you to kiss me?" I whispered.
His breath hitched. He licked his lips again. "If I start to kiss you, I won't stop. I'll kiss you until you're breathless and shaking and the only reason you're still standing is because I'm holding you up."
"And you would deny me that?"
His eyes widened as his hand flattened against the wall by my head. His other hand curled into my hair, tipping my head back as he leaned in?—
Heavy fists beat on the door.
INTRUDERS
Istarted to curse, but Corvin clamped his hand over my mouth. He leaned against me, his breaths ragged. "Stay quiet." His claws dug into my cheek momentarily. "I have to deal with this. They'll torture and kill you if they find you."
My nerves still frayed and raging, I nodded.
He hefted me into the smuggler's space behind the bookshelf again and pulled the panel shut. Then he crossed to the door.
The fae who stood on the other side was all silver-scaled with diamond-shaped eyes. Several others stood behind her. "The King of the North Sea demands your attendance immediately."
Corvin released a tight breath. "I am aware of my summons. I have?—"
"You will come now. Your blood is required."
Sighing, Corvin leaned against the door frame. "Just let me have the next two hours. The venom from the claws has left me weakened. My blood will be stronger and of more use if I am allowed the rest."
"The king's orders are the king's orders," the fae said, her voice cold as the waters she'd come from. "I have beeninstructed to bring you into his presence. Your blood is required immediately."
He sighed, then straightened. He pushed his thick black curls out of his striped face. "Let me make sure Tagger has his instructions. I don't want him running off again."
Tagger stood near the bookshelf, tense as a bowstring. He cocked his head and squeaked as Corvin approached. Corvin crouched and stroked him.
"I suppose this is sooner than I thought and rather unexpected. But I will only be gone for a little bit," Corvin said, far louder than usual. "But if I do not return within a day or so, you are free to leave, to hunt and swim and follow the paths to whatever places you wish. Take a friend to the Kabroks. Hmmm? Look after each other. Stay alert. You won't be alone for long."
I pressed my face to my forearm, forcing back a sob.
They were going to punish him.Hurt him.
They were going to torture him for not killing everyone on the ship.
"You think that otter can understand you?" the fae guard scoffed. She snapped her fingers and pointed toward the doorway. "Go. Sooner you answer, sooner you can return." She gave him a nasty shove. As he staggered forward, she pressed something into the lock with her long silver claw.
My eyes widened. Salt's bane, I hated this fae guard as much as the fae warriors who had attacked him. They were coming back, weren't they?
As the door clicked shut, I scrambled down and pulled the panel shut. I hurried to the door and pulled it open with ease. Despite the clicking sound, the door wasn't locking. I tried to pry the silver out, but I only loosened a bit of it.
Not good enough.
And dangerous.
If those goons returned, I had to make sure there was no trace of me here. Tagger squeaked, trailing after me as I ran to the door.
"If I find a way to block it, they're going to know I'm in here," I said, pushing my hair out of my face. And I wasn't strong enough to remove that bit of silver. Whatever I did couldn't be something that would make it easier for them to convict and torture Corvin.
Tagger offered a series of trills as he hopped up on the stool. It tilted to the side, almost sending him reeling.
