Page 6 of Savage Prince

“Only twice?” Layla quips, collapsing beside us. “Thought we were going to lose you that time, man. Not going to lie.” She exhales a long, shaky breath. “Tell me that’s the worst of it, J.”

“Absolutely.” Juliet hugs my back closer to her chest without sparking any response from my nervous system, proving I’m fading fast.

Even in a life-or-death situation, I’d usually be very aware that the woman I’m crazy about is naked and close. But all I feel is grateful for her touch.

It’s the only thing giving me strength right now.

I tilt my head back, the sight of the endless ninth ladder and the final ladder—also set into the rock diagonally—making my chest feel hollow. Once again, I seriously doubt I’m going to make it, but I don’t say anything. Juliet has made it clear she expects people under her command to achieve their goals or die trying.

Arguing would only be a waste of what energy I have left.

“You’re going to be a great military major,” I wheeze. “Pretty sure you were born for it.”

“Pretty princess on the outside, scary as hell general on the inside,” Layla agrees.

“Save the sweet talk and compliments for the top,” Juliet says. “Come on. Let’s get up nine and take a longer rest before ten. By then, we’ll be close enough to call up to the top and tell them to get the medics ready.”

“They have to know by now,” Layla says, shielding her eyes from the sun as she squints up at the top of the cliffs. “Surely, they’ve seen us struggle-bussing all the way through the course.”

“But they might not know how serious the injury is,” Juliet says. “Or that it wasn’t an accident. We’ll fill them in, and they’ll help.”

I’m not sure they will, and I doubt Juliet honestly believes they will, either, but I play along in the name of keeping hope alive. Right now, it’s all we’ve got. “She’s right. Let’s go. We’re almost there.”

I’m pretty sure ladder nine is some circle of hell. It goes on and on forever, while my right arm becomes increasingly fatigued and my wounded shoulder screams to be put out of its misery. On at least three separate occasions, I’m positive I’ve reached the end of my physical endurance, only for a word from Layla or a look from Juliet to keep me going just one more rung.

Just one more and then one more and finally, we’re at the top.

I collapse onto the ledge, shocked to feel tears slipping down my cheeks.

Juliet swipes them away with a dispassionate efficiency I appreciate. “It’s just the pain,” she says. “And shock. You’re probably going into shock. Just hang in there a little longer, okay? We’re so close.”

I manage a small nod—the most communication I’m capable of after that climb—and sag against the side of the cliff as she calls up to the top, “Get the medics ready, guys. Ford was attacked by another member of Lupine house in the water. He’s seriously injured and needs medical help.”

We wait for a response, but the only sound is the harsh rasp of my breath and the faint crash of the waves below.

Layla sighs and mutters something beneath her breath I can’t make out.

Juliet calls out again, but I stop her halfway through with a hand on her wrist and another shake of my head. She holds my gaze, and for a beat I see the fear eating away inside her. She recovers quickly, her inner general taking control again as she helps me to my feet, insisting that we’re almost there anyway, so we might as well finish up.

But it’s too late.

I’ve seen the truth in her eyes. Juliet isn’t sure I’m going to make it. In fact, I’m pretty sure she’s shocked I’ve made it this far.

There’s a very real chance this last diagonal ladder is going to take me down. I know it, she knows it, and Layla certainly isn’t a fool.

So, as I sway unsteadily to my feet, I rest a hand on Layla’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze of thanks. She nods in response, her throat working as she swallows, “Of course, Ford. Any time.”

Then, I turn to Juliet, cup her face in my hand, and kiss her the way I wish I could have kissed her more often. I kiss her with my heart on my sleeve and in my touch and pulsing in the air around us. I kiss her the way I would have kissed her on our wedding day, just in case…

In case that day never comes.

In case this is really goodbye.

THREE

juliet

I wantto yell at him again, to shake him until the fire inside of him sparks to life, and he knows he has to keep fighting.

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