Warrior (Relentless Book 4)

I sped through the trees, moving so fast over the ground my feet barely disturbed the snow. It took me a minute to sense her again, and another to catch up to them.

The vampire I’d let escape had Sara pinned on her stomach with her face pressed into the snow. She wasn’t moving.

I plowed into him so hard he flew twenty feet and slammed into a tree. I was on him before he could recover from the blow. My sword went for his chest, but he managed to roll to one side. He screeched when the blade slid through his ribs. I withdrew quickly and struck again. This time my blade found its mark, and he collapsed into the snow.

I raced back to Sara and threw down my bloody sword. Grasping her shoulders, I rolled her over, afraid of what I’d find.

She took a wheezing breath and coughed.

Relief warred with the fear in my chest. “Sara!”

Her eyes opened, and she croaked, “Nikolas.”

I wanted to crush her in my arms, but there was no time. That vampire had gone for Sara and taken her instead of trying to kill her back at the road. Part of me had hoped it was a random attack on the Mohiri. Now I knew what they really wanted.

Grabbing my sword, I picked her up and got to my feet. “It’s an ambush. I have to get you out of here.”

“What about the others?” she cried.

“It’s you they want.” I’d die before I let them take her.

“But Emma –”

Five vampires appeared from the trees in front of us. I set Sara on her feet, not taking my eyes off the new threat. They were mature or close to it based on how fast they’d arrived. I’d taken on five vampires at once, but not five mature ones.

I pushed Sara behind me, hoping she was recovered enough to use her power. Something told me our attackers weren’t going to come at us one at a time.

A ghostly white light spread across the snow to illuminate the clearing, drawing the vampires’ attention to Sara. I didn’t want them looking at her, but it provided a distraction we desperately needed.

I struck first, my blade taking off a vampire’s arm. He screamed, and he and three of his friends started to circle me while the last one went for Sara. I sent up a silent prayer that she was back to full strength. Even a mature vampire was no match for her power.

A vampire came at me, moving so fast only my demon sight saved me. I ducked to one side and slashed him across both thighs, deep enough to sever tendons and touch bone. He went down howling, but as old as he was, he’d heal within minutes.

Behind me, a vampire roared in pain. I spun to see one backhand Sara with enough force to knock out a human. In the next moment, she retaliated when her glowing hand made contact with his chest.

I heard someone come at me from behind, and claws ripped into the back of my leather jacket. As I threw him off me, Sara went after her downed vampire.

Two more vampires stepped from the woods.

“Sara, look out!” I shouted.

Rage erupted inside me. I welcomed the red haze that dropped down over my vision and the roaring that filled my ears as my Mori’s aggression took over.

The vampire I’d thrown off went for my stomach. He was dead before he touched me, his head flying into a snowbank. Two more flew at me, but my mind was too crazed to register them as a threat. One, I sent headfirst into a large rock. The second, I gutted from his navel to his throat.

The first one gained his footing just as a furious roar split the air and the trees around us shook. Everyone stared at the large winged creature diving from the sky, flames shooting from its snout.

The wyvern went straight for the two vampires stalking Sara. No one else moved as it engulfed the female vampire in flames. She was still screaming when Alex snatched up the male in his powerful claws and tore him to pieces.

Blood and flesh rained down on us as the wyvern circled the clearing. I tore my gaze from him as the vampire whose thighs I’d cut leapt back to his feet, fully healed. He looked ready for payback, but their numbers had dropped drastically, and I was fueled by pure rage now.

Alex dove again. I prayed he wouldn’t mistake Sara or me for the enemy. He rose into the air again, and I waited for the fresh shower of blood as I swung at the closest vampire.

I gasped as I felt Sara’s presence pulling away from me. I stared around the clearing, but she was nowhere in sight.

Sound above me drew my eyes to the sky. Fear exploded in my chest when I looked up in time to see Sara disappear over the tops of the trees in the wyvern’s claws.

“Sara!” I bellowed.

The rage consumed me, and I lost all conscious thought. When I came to, I was standing in the clearing, surrounded by at least a dozen bodies. More vampires must have arrived while I was out of it. I didn’t know how much time had passed. All I could think of was finding Sara.

I set off in the direction the wyvern had flown, trying not to think about the overwhelming odds against me finding Sara out here. There were hundreds of miles to cover, and Alex left no tracks to follow.

I headed north toward the mountains. Tristan had said they believed Alex was living in a cave up there. He could be taking Sara there. It was all I had to go on. I prayed I was right and that I got to her in time.

Stop. She’ll be okay.

If it had been anyone else, I’d have little hope of their survival with the wyvern. Sara wasn’t just anyone. She had a gift for connecting with creatures. I’d seen it in her friendship with the troll, the devotion of her hellhounds, and the adoration of the young griffin. Even the wyvern had come to help her the night we were attacked at Westhorne. He could have flown off, but he’d gone straight for Sara, according to the stories I’d heard about that night. Just like he went for the vampires attacking her back in the clearing.

Using my Mori speed, I moved quickly over the ground. My enhanced vision pierced the heavy snow and the approaching dusk, searching for any sign of Sara and the wyvern. My hearing picked up every crack of a branch, every movement.

I wanted to call to Sara, but I didn’t know if there were vampires out here searching for her too. A mature vampire could move as quickly and as quietly as me, and I couldn’t take the chance of leading one to her. I’d feel her once I got close enough.

When the woods began to darken and the snow turned to sleet, a new fear settled in my chest. It was close to freezing, and the temperature was going to plummet once it got dark. Sara wasn’t dressed for this weather, and her Mori couldn’t regulate her body temperature to keep her warm. If she couldn’t find adequate shelter, she could die from exposure before I found her.

I’d been searching for well over an hour when my nose caught the scent of blood nearby. My stomach lurched as I veered left toward the blood, and I braced myself for what I might find. But it was just the remains of some small animal – a fox, judging by the tuffs of red fur on the bloody snow.

The sound of water ahead made me stop and visualize a map of the terrain. A large river ran through this area, alongside several game trails. If the wyvern lived within a few miles, he’d come here to hunt. I looked down at the bloody patch of snow and set off running toward the river.

I came out of the trees beside the roaring water and began making my way upriver. Minutes later, I felt a rush of excitement when I came upon a patch of beaten down snow at the base of a large boulder. Footprints, too small to belong to a man, led away from the rock, heading upstream. It was Sara. It had to be.

The freezing rain was coming down hard, spurring me to go faster. If Sara was walking, she couldn’t be badly hurt, but she wouldn’t last long in this weather. Even my Mori was working hard to keep me warm against the freezing onslaught.

Above the rain and the roar of the river I heard what sounded like a growl. I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, until I peered through the darkness and saw a shape circling in the air a quarter of a mile upriver.

Ten steps later, I felt the faintest brush against my mind.

I sped over the uneven ground, her presence growing ever stronger. I’d almost reached the bend in the river when my name carried to me on the wind.

My heart thundered. She knew I was near.

I rounded the bend, and a pit opened in my stomach when I saw her lying facedown in the snow less than one hundred yards from a small cabin.

“Sara!” I yelled, dropping to my knees beside her.

“Sara, wake up,” I ordered as I checked her breathing and pulse. They were weak, but she was alive. “Stay, with me.”

Her mouth opened, and she mumbled something that sounded like my name.

“Sara, oh God.”

I crushed her to me. Above us, the wyvern growled as it flew in circles like it was guarding her. It must have sensed I wasn’t a threat to her because it didn’t attack.

“Are you hurt?” I asked her. When she didn’t respond I shook her gently. “Sara, talk to me.”

“C-cold,” she muttered.

I felt her jeans. “Khristu, you’re soaked through.”

I picked her up and stood. I had to get her warm and out of those clothes. “I’ve got you. You need to stay awake for me.”

“Okay,” she said weakly.

In seconds, we were at the cabin perched on the edge of the river. One twist was all it took to break the padlock on the door. I shoved it open and carried Sara inside, kicking the door shut behind me.

My eyes saw well enough in the darkness of the cabin to pick out a pair of twin beds. I sat Sara on the closest bed. A scan of the room revealed an oil lantern on a small table, and I went to light it.

“Nikolas?” Sara called fearfully.

“I’m here.”

I struck a match and put it to the wick, thankful that whoever owned the cabin kept it well maintained. The lantern flared to life, and I left it on the table to go to the fireplace where kindling had already been arranged for a fire. It took no time to get a good blaze putting off heat into the small room.

Now to get her out of those wet clothes. She didn’t protest when I peeled off her small coat and removed her shirt, boots, and jeans. Her skin had a bluish tint, and she was shivering violently by the time I got her outer clothes off.

“Jesus, your skin is like ice,” I said when my hand brushed her thigh.

I got to my feet and pulled off my coat and shirt. My Mori already knew what I wanted, and it increased my body temperature as I pulled her up and pressed her body against mine. She stood like a life-size doll while I rubbed her arms and back to get her circulation going again. Her lack of response scared me, even though I knew it was normal for someone suffering from hypothermia. She’d be herself again as soon as I got her core temperature up.

She sighed softly when her skin began to warm. Relief washed over me, and I looked around the room to see if there was anything dry for her to wear. Between the two beds stood a large wooden chest that looked promising.

I sat her on the bed and opened the chest. Inside were homemade quilts and two pillows. I grabbed a thick quilt, wrapped it around her, and carried her over to the fire. There was a small rug on the floor, and I set her down on it.

“It will warm up in here soon,” I promised her.

I added more wood to the fire, and then I went outside to bring in some of the chopped firewood I’d seen in a small lean-to by the side of the cabin. Freezing rain lashed my bare back as I filled my arms with wood. Ignoring the discomfort, I made three trips, creating a good-sized pile near the hearth. It was turning into a real storm out here, and I needed to make sure Sara stayed warm all night.

On my last trip outside, I heard the flap of wings and the scratch of claws on shingles. Looking up, I saw the wyvern perched on top of the cabin like a sentry. He turned his head and stared at me for a moment before he settled down with his head under his wing.

Shaking my head, I walked around the cabin to make sure it was as secure as it could be. It was small but made of logs, and storm shutters covered the two windows. The thick door wouldn’t keep out a determined vampire, but it would provide ample protection from the weather. I hadn’t run across a single vampire while I was searching for Sara, so I doubted there were any nearby. If by chance, one did find this place, the wyvern would make him think twice about paying a visit.

I went back inside and pulled the bolt to lock us in. The cabin had warmed considerably since I set the fire, and I was glad to see Sara was starting to get some color back into her cheeks.

Wind shook the cabin. Sara looked up at the ceiling when the beams creaked.

“It’s the wyvern,” I told her as I added wood to the fire. “I think it’s guarding you.”

If I hadn’t seen it myself, I might not have believed it. Wyverns could be trained to hunt vampires, but they were unpredictable, and only the most experienced handlers worked with them. Even a well-trained wyvern didn’t protect someone of its own accord. I was deeply grateful for this one. He’d saved Sara’s life when he carried her away, whether or not he knew what he was doing.

Sara pulled the quilt up to her chin, reminding me she still needed dry clothes. There were no clothes in the chest, so I went to a tall cabinet in the corner where I found several folded men’s flannel shirts. I grabbed one and a towel and went back to kneel in front of her.

She didn’t speak when I pushed the quilt off her shoulders. As I dressed her in the shirt, I was aware of the curve of her breasts above her bra, but my only thought was getting her warm. I buttoned the shirt and smiled when I saw how it engulfed her. If she stood, it would probably come to mid-thigh.

Reaching for one arm then the other, I rolled up the sleeves for her. That done, I covered her with the quilt again and sat behind her to dry her hair with the towel. I stretched out my legs on either side of her and shifted us so she was facing the fire. Then I took up the towel and began to use it on her hair.

Neither of us spoke for several minutes. The longer we sat there, the more I dwelled on how close I’d come to losing her. My throat tightened, and I wanted to hug her to me until the pain in my chest went away.

“When I saw the wyvern carry you away I thought I’d lost you,” I said roughly. “And then I saw you lying in the snow.”

Her voice was as raw as mine when she spoke. “How did you find me?”

“I killed the rest of the vampires and headed in the direction the wyvern went with you. I can cover a lot of ground on foot, but there are hundreds of square miles of forest out here, and he didn’t leave a trail.”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to think about how I would have missed her had I gone in a different direction.

“It was sheer luck that I found where he landed by the river. The broken branches and footprints in the snow told me what way you’d gone.”

“What about the others? Do you think they’re okay?”

I stopped toweling. “Yes. Half the vampires went after you. Chris and the others would have been able to handle the rest. I’m sure Chris contacted Westhorne, and Tristan has half of the stronghold out there looking for us by now.”

“I promised Emma I would keep her safe, and I left her there,” she said in a heavy voice.

I resumed drying her hair. “You didn’t leave her; you were taken. Emma will understand.”

She leaned back against me with a sigh. “Do you think we’ll be safe here?”

“I don’t think we have anything to worry about. If any vampires did survive and somehow manage to find us, they are not getting past the wyvern.”

She fell silent again, and I finished drying her hair. It was still a little damp, but the fire would take care of that soon. I tossed the wet towel on the rough wooden floor and laid my hands on her shoulders.

“How do you feel?”

“One of the vampires shot me with a dart and now I can’t use my power,” she said in a choked voice.

Alarm filled me. They shot her?

“What do you mean? It’s gone?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

She swallowed. “It’s there but I can’t touch it or use it. What if…?”

I put my arms around her, holding her close. The knowledge that vampires had a drug to disable her power scared the hell out of me. But I couldn’t let her see that.

“We’ll contact Eldeorin when we get home. It’s obviously something that affects Fae magic, and he’ll know what to do.”

I felt her body relax.

“I thought you didn’t like him,” she said.

“For you, I’ll tolerate him.” Unable to resist the bare skin so close to my lips, I kissed her throat beneath her ear.

Her breath hitched, and my body instantly warmed in response. I imagined laying her down beside the fire and removing that shirt I’d dressed her in.

Groaning inwardly, I stood and put more wood on the fire. Then I went to one of the twin beds. It was colder over on this side of the room, but the mattress would make a comfortable bed for Sara by the fire. I planned to stay awake all night to keep watch.

I looked at her and forgot what I was thinking. Framed by the fire, her damp hair fell around her shoulders in wild disarray. With the quilt hanging off one shoulder and a bare thigh peeking out from the bottom, she was a vision of sweet seduction.

But it was the look she gave me that stole my breath and made my pulse race. Emerald eyes met mine before they moved down my body to linger on my bare stomach. Her gaze was like a caress against my skin, and my body hardened in response.

Tearing my eyes from her, I turned to the bed to hide the evidence of her effect on me. I forced my heart to slow its crazy dance as I lifted the mattress and carried it over to the hearth. Then I went to the chest and took out a pillow, a blanket, and a quilt.

“It’s warmer over here,” I explained as I made up her bed, glad for something to distract me.

After the bed was made, I lifted the blanket for her, trying not to look at her naked legs as she dropped her quilt and got into the bed. I covered her and went to the door. Opening it, I looked outside, relishing the freezing air against my heated flesh.

I locked the door again and doused the lantern since we didn’t need it with the fire. I could see well enough without either. I went back to sit on the floor beside her, keeping her between me and the fire. My wet jeans were uncomfortable, but I’d suffered a lot worse conditions.

“Aren’t you cold?”

I pulled the quilt up to her chin. “My Mori keeps me warm.”

Her eyelids lowered. “Oh. I was just…”

I stopped moving. “What?”

She bit her lip and raised her eyes to mine again, and the shy hope on her face made my breath catch. “We can share.”

“My jeans are wet,” I said huskily, my throat dry. Did she mean…?

“You could…take them off.”

Her whispered words fanned the fire already burning inside me. Desire made my voice gruff. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I studied her face. She looked nervous but unafraid, and love shone in her eyes. I wanted her more than I’d thought was possible to want someone. I’d fantasized about her and longed to complete our bond. She was offering me both, and I found myself too humbled to speak.

Standing, I kicked off my wet boots. Her eyes followed me, and my breath quickened at the thought of her watching me undress. When I undid the button of my jeans, she turned her head toward the fire, sending a little pang of disappointment through me. I wanted her eyes on me, but I also understood her shyness. Tonight, we’d get to know each other in the way only a mated couple could, and she’d never again have reason to be shy with me.

I pushed the wet jeans down my legs. They landed with a soft thump, and I stepped out of them. My boxers followed, and I stood there for a moment before I knelt and lifted the quilt to lie beside her on the narrow mattress. I turned on my side, facing her with my head supported by my hand, and watched her profile as she stared at the fire.

“Sara.”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

I used my free hand to turn her face toward me. Wordlessly, I captured her mouth in a slow, deliberate kiss. Into every brush of my lips against hers, I poured my adoration and love for her.

I kissed her until her body relaxed beneath me. Raising my head, I looked at her as my fingers traced the planes of her face. My throat tightened at the love and trust in her eyes, and I didn’t think there were words to express my feelings for her.

“Being a warrior is all I’ve ever known, all I ever wanted. I thought I didn’t need anything else. And then I found you, and it was like finding the other half of me that I didn’t know was missing. You make me whole, Sara.”

“My warrior,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I used to think the empty place in my heart was from losing my dad. But I was wrong. My heart was just waiting for you to come and fill it up.”

I claimed her lips again. Her fingers weaved through my hair to cling to me, matching my hunger with her own. Our breaths came in small pants, and she set my blood on fire until I ached from the need to possess her.

Mine, my Mori growled impatiently, demanding I finally take what was ours. It strained against my control, wanting to be free to claim its mate.

“Mmmm,” Sara protested when I broke the kiss. She tried to pull me back down to her, but I stopped her.

“Do you want this?” I searched her eyes for some sign she wasn’t ready.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“We can wait until –”

She touched my face. “Nikolas, I don’t want to wait. All I want is you.”

I trembled with desire as I rose up on one elbow to look at her. My body and my demon were ready for her, but her first time should be a slow, sensual awakening, something she would treasure.

I brushed my fingers against her brow then let them trail down her flushed cheek, across her full lips, and down her throat. When I reached the quilt, I eased it off her, letting it pool at her feet. I allowed my greedy gaze to pass over her bare legs and the shirt that had ridden up to the tops of her thighs, before I lifted my eyes to hers again.

Her eyes widened slightly when my fingers freed the first button of her shirt. A blush stole across her face, and her irises turned a deeper shade of green. I watched her as I slowly undid each button, savoring the way her lips parted in anticipation and her breath quickened.

When I released the last button, the shirt fell open. Still looking into her eyes, I laid my hand on her taut stomach. She sucked in a breath, sending a jolt of desire through me.

Jesus, she was killing me and she hadn’t even touched me yet.

I looked down as I began my exploration of her body, watching my hand touch her the way I’d wanted to for so long. My fingers skimmed across her stomach and over the top of her white lace bra to where her heart fluttered wildly.

“God, you’re beautiful,” I whispered, lowering my head to kiss her breast where it peeked tantalizingly above the top of her bra. I wanted the barrier between us gone, but I reminded myself I had to take this slow. I consoled myself by tasting her skin, feathering kisses across her breasts. She arched, baring her throat to me, and I eagerly moved my lips along the creamy column to cover her mouth once more.

My heart threatened to burst from my chest as I rose up to look into her eyes. “Sara Grey, you’ve owned my heart from the moment I met you. My body and soul are yours if you’ll have them.”

Her eyes welled. “Yes, if it means forever with you.”

I groaned and kissed her hungrily as my hand slipped inside the lacy material of her bra to cup her soft breast. She made a small sound of pleasure against my mouth that nearly drove me out of my mind.

My fingers moved to the front of the bra, lingering there for what seemed like forever before I released the clasp. Gently I eased the cups aside, baring her breasts to me. Khristu, she was as perfect as I’d imagined. I lowered my mouth to one breast, cherishing it slowly, then moved to do the same to the other.

Her soft moans brought a smile of pure male satisfaction to my lips and stoked my own desire even higher. My hand shook as it moved down her abdomen to the top of her matching panties. She made no protest when I hooked my fingers in the material and slid them off her. Then I lifted her easily, freeing her from her shirt and bra as well.

I looked up at her to make sure she was okay, and her passion-glazed eyes told me all I needed to know.

“You good?” I asked huskily.

She nodded and bit her lip. “I’ve never…”

“I know.”

I leaned in, and my tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips before dipping inside. God, I could never get enough of kissing her.

When I lifted my head again, I saw uncertainty in her eyes. I took her hands and placed them against my chest.

“I…don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

“Just touch me any way you want. Whatever you do will be heaven for me.”

Her coy smile almost pulled a growl from me. Then her hands began to explore me, and I was lost.

Her touch was tentative at first as she caressed my chest and shoulders, and ran her fingers along my arms. I made a sound to let her know how much I loved her hands on me, and she grew bolder, letting them trail down my spine. When her hand grazed my backside, I groaned, forgetting for a moment that I was supposed to be the one pleasuring her.

Knowing I couldn’t last much longer with her touching me that way, I resumed my exploration of her body. My hands and lips worshiped her soft curves, kissing and touching her until both of us were panting and covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

“Nikolas,” she whispered desperately.

I rose over her, covering her body with mine, and resting my weight on my elbows. She shifted so I lay between her thighs and gave me the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.

“I love you,” she said softly, entwining her arms around the back of my neck.

I brushed my lips against hers. “I love you, too.”

“Then make me yours.”

I joined with her, whispering over and over how much I adored her as I made slow love to her. When our bodies found release, our bond opened like a flower blossoming in the sun. In that moment, I was undone by her and remade into a new man. A warrior still, but a mate and a lover first. And I felt complete.

Later, I lay beside her, gazing down at her as she slept. Her hair was spread across the pillow, and her cheeks still bore a slight flush from our lovemaking. I pulled the quilt up over her chest to keep her warm, and she snuggled against me, whispering my name.

I wanted nothing more than to kiss her awake and make love to her again, but she needed her sleep after today. I held her close and listened to the storm raging outside. A few times, I heard the wyvern walking around on the roof, and I knew we were safe here for tonight. But I stayed awake just in case. I wouldn’t relax completely until we were home.

When the fire began to die down, I eased out of Sara’s arms and added more wood. Then I draped our wet clothes over two chairs and moved them closer to the fire to dry.

All night, I lay awake with her in my arms, wonder filling me every time I looked at her sleeping face. What had I done to deserve this beautiful woman? She was everything I could ask for in a mate: loving and passionate, brave and strong. And she was mine, forever.

Mine, my sated Mori whispered.

The storm blew itself out in the early hours of the morning. When I peered out just before dawn, everything was coated in a thick layer of ice. I noticed the wyvern had left, probably to hunt. Or he thought Sara was no longer in danger.

As I dressed in my dry clothes, I watched Sara, who still slept soundly. If we were at home, I would wake her up slowly and spend our first day as a mated couple making love to her. But daylight was approaching, and Tristan would be searching for us. I needed to get her home, and then we’d make up for lost time.

I let her sleep as long as I could, and then I lay beside her. Raising myself on my elbow, I caressed her face softly, reluctant to wake her, but dying to kiss her again.

When my finger touched her lips, she stretched and a sensual smile curved her lush mouth. Her eyes opened sleepily, and I smiled as I lowered my head to kiss her.

“Morning,” she said in a husky voice.

I rose up to meet her eyes. Good morning, moy malen’kiy voin, I said, testing our bond for the first time.

Her brow furrowed, and then her eyes widened. Nikolas?

Pleasure filled me at hearing her voice in my mind. I smiled at her. One of the perks of being mated.

“Mated.” She stared at me, her face full of the same wonder I’d been feeling all night.

Through the bond, I felt a swell of love and happiness – and a trickle of something else. I knew what it was when I saw a blush creep across her cheeks. My beautiful mate was remembering last night – in detail, I hoped.

“Can you read my mind?” she blurted.

I lifted an eyebrow. “No. But that blush makes me wish I could.”

Her mouth fell open, and she ducked her head, pressing her face against my chest.

Chuckling, I wrapped my free arm around her, pulling her close. I leaned down to touch my lips to her ear. “I love waking up with you in my arms.”

She looked up at me and surprised me when she tugged me down and proceeded to kiss the hell out of me. Her mouth was soft and insistent, her tongue teasing as she wantonly seduced me. Through the bond, I felt her desire, and my body stirred in response.

I pulled out of the kiss and growled at her sensual smile. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’ll never leave this cabin. In fact, I might have to find the owner and buy it from him.”

Her stomach rumbled. “Can we bring food next time? I’m starving.”

A laugh burst from me. Reluctantly, I stood and handed her clothes I’d hung to dry last night.

“Your shirt and jeans are dry, but your boots are still wet,” I said as I gave them to her. I didn’t add that her bra and panties were somewhere in the tangle of quilts.

As she dressed, I went to the small cabinet in the corner, which served as a kitchen, and took out the food I’d found earlier. I kept my back to her until I heard her finish.

I carried my meager offering to her. Canned tuna, saltines, and bottled water was not the breakfast I would have given her the morning after our mating, but it was all I had.

I sat beside her on the mattress. “Not exactly a five-star breakfast.”

She smiled warmly. “It’s perfect.”

I spread some tuna on a cracker for her. “It’ll be daylight soon. The storm’s over, so we should head out as soon as it’s light enough.”

“How far is it to the road?” she asked before she popped the cracker into her mouth.

“About fifteen miles. I won’t be surprised if we run into some of our people on the way.” I had expected Tristan and Chris to find us by now. But then, the storm would have wiped out all our tracks, and it was a large area to search.

I gave her another cracker. “We’ll be home before you know it.”

I watched her as she ate. She looked well recovered from yesterday’s ordeal, and she hadn’t mentioned the problem with her power.

“How do you feel today? Is there any change in your magic?”

She looked away as if she was testing it, and then she let out a shaky laugh. “I think it’s getting better. Whatever they shot me with must be wearing off.”

“Good. That means we won’t have to call the faerie.” Although, I’d put up with Eldeorin if she needed him.

She smirked playfully. “Jealous?”

“I might have been a little jealous once or twice.” I thought about last night and smiled with satisfaction. “But I got the girl.”

She leaned over and pressed a quick kiss on my lips. “You always had the girl.”

When she went to pull away, I grabbed her and kissed her again.

We finished our food and got up to tidy the cabin. I doused the fire and put the mattress back on the bed. Before we left, I stuck some money under the lantern to pay for the busted lock and food.

The storm might have passed, but the temperature hadn’t risen much yet. Our breath came out in steamy puffs, and Sara rubbed her bare hands together. I couldn’t find any gloves in the cabin, and I worried about the long walk ahead of us.

The cold wasn’t our only problem. The snow was deep and crusted over, and her legs would tire quickly trudging through it.

“It’s going to be rough walking with the snow iced over. Climb on my back, and I’ll carry you.”

She snorted softly. “You can’t carry me fifteen miles.”

“Are you willing to bet on that?” I challenged, already thinking of my prize.

“I don’t know.” She treated me to a saucy smile. “What will you give me if I win?”

I laughed at her playfulness and reached for her. “Anything you –”

It took me a second to recognize the sharp sting near my shoulder blade. Blood roared in my ears, and my vision dimmed.

“Sara…run,” I croaked as I fell.

“Nikolas!” she screamed.

My last thought before darkness took me was that I’d failed her.