Page 120 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

“He’s fine. Now leave us alone!” I snapped, shooing away the monster as if I was swatting a fly.

He turned his back on me, his monster tail nearly hitting my head as he huffed off, stomping so hard I lifted off the ground with each angry step.

Only when he disappeared into the shadows of the forest did I heave a sigh of relief.

“Demon, you have to stop this.” I pulled my little black ball of fluff off Helian's abused knee and stroked his ears while chanting the sleeping spell again, this time infusing it with more magic. Fortunately, it didn’t take him long to fall asleep. I pulled him to my chest and curled my knees into my belly while staring at the sleeping Fae, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. My gut churned and my heart twisted in knots as I wondered if Helian would change his mind and leave me in this forest after he woke.

Chapter Three

The Fae was still asleepwhen I woke. Radnor was nowhere to be found, and I was famished, so I ate a meager repast of stale bread that I’d found at the bottom of my bag. Demon had already eaten half the loaf, which meant my appetite was barely sated by the time I wiped the remaining crumbs on my dress, but it would hold me. I grew more flowers and grass for Demon, who, thankfully, was no longer enamored with my leg. I left enough dew on the grass to quench his thirst, and then I drank most of the water in my flask, saving a few mouthfuls for the Fae. Not that he deserved it. I would need to replenish my food and water soon, though I doubted either of my new companions cared.

I closed the lid on my flask as Helian stirred. Fool that I was, I ran my fingers over my messy braid and pinched my lips and cheeks to add some color to my pale complexion. Not that it would make much of a difference. He’d already said I was a seven at best. Determined to put his insult from my mind, I knelt beside him as his eyes slowly opened.

“How do you feel?” I asked.

He sat up, those muscles on his torso rippling with the movement as he rubbed the back of his head. “My head’s a little sore.”

I winced at that, then straightened. He deserved it. “Good.”

He blinked up at me, features hardening. “We need to leave.”

“Fine,” I answered tersely. “I need to relieve myself.” I capped my flask, deciding he didn’t need the last of my water. After scooping Demon into my bag, I went to the edge of the clearing, finding a private spot to relieve myself, though not daring to venture too far, lest some other hag find me, or worse, the rider and his dragon left me behind.

I had just finished adjusting my skirts and walked back into the clearing when Radnor landed with athudin front of me.

Ignoring me, he turned to Helian first, laying down on his paws and purring like a cat, rattling the ground beneath my feet. When Helian lunged for the dragon, hugging his big snout, I felt compelled to turn away at their display of affection. After a bunch of sniffling and rumbling, Helian finally cleared his throat. I turned back around in time to see the Fae wiping moisture from his eyes as he pulled away from his dragon. Radnor had this doe-eyed look as he smiled at his rider.

Well, maybe those two did have hearts, though it was clear they only beat for one another, and obviously for themselves as well.

“Where’s my shield?” Helian spun a slow circle, looking over his shoulder as if a shield would magically appear.

Radnor let out a deep rumble.It was lost in the attack.

“Damn.” Helian kicked at the dirt beneath his boot. “We’ll need to get me another.”

The dragon shook his head, frowning.I managed to salvage the rest of the supplies. I’ll do a better job protecting you next time.

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