Page 65 of A Lick of Flame

I watch as he deflects a blow from a second rider.

The brute holds back; he laughs, pointing his sword at me. “Once I’m done here, I’m coming for you, girl,” he shouts. “You’re mine now.”

A shiver races down my spine. I still have my knife. I will kill him if he comes anywhere near me. It is a vow and one I intend to keep.

Orion stabs the first opponent, who topples from the saddle, landing in a heap. His horse squeals and dashes off at breakneck speed.

Two of the men attack Orion, one moving in from behind him.

“Watch out!” I shout. Orion is quick to move his horse forward, but not before the poor creature takes a slice to the flank. Orion’s horse screams, and blood flows from the wound, which seems to be superficial, but the poor creature must be in pain.

Orion turns and strikes, his sword moving as if to music, so fluid and easy. It’s clear that his opponent is on the defense; his eyes go wide, his mouth, too. The second man moves in yet again, sounding a battle cry.

“Don’t kill him!” Jace bellows. “A wound or two would be acceptable.” He laughs.

Orion ignores the taunts. His focus is unwavering. He seems to anticipate his opponent’s moves, feinting with his own sword before attacking once again. With a swift, powerful strike, Orion's sword slices through the air, and, finding its mark, he delivers a decisive blow to his nearest opponent's throat, slashing back and slicing the forearm of the second man.

The one with the slit throat makes a choking noise. Blood sprays from his wound. It takes what feels like an age for him to fall from the saddle. When he does, it is clear that he is dead, his vacant eyes staring.

I gasp.

Orion turns to the other man, whose eyes widen with fear. He drops his sword, turns his horse around, and kicks him into a full gallop, urging the beast to go faster still.

“Where are you going?” Jace yells. “Come back, you coward!” His voice booms.

The man doesn’t respond, save to kick his animal into an even faster run.

“It would seem that it is just you and me,” he tells Orion, not seeming worried in the least.

Jace is taller and meatier than Orion. He reminds me of an ox. He also seems so self-assured, like it’s one big joke, even though Orion has just bested two of his men and sent a third running for the hills.

“Perhaps we should face one another man to man. Or man to fae,” Jace says, getting off his horse.

Orion dismounts, giving his gelding a light smack on the ass, sending the beast out of harm’s way. They circle one another, sizing each other up.

The brutish pig laughs. “I’ve brained many a fae. I look forward to adding another notch on my belt.”

Orion doesn’t say anything. He keeps circling Jace, keeping his eyes on him.

“You will be no different,” Jace adds, but Orion still doesn’t respond. The brute laughs again; it’s an ugly sound, filled with hate and anger. “I’m going to kill you, fae. I don’t care about the gold. I’m keeping her.” He doesn’t take his eyes off Orion, but we all know who he is referring to.

Me.

My blood runs like ice through my veins at the very thought. I pray that Orion will be okay.

“I’m going to enjoy burying myself between those thighs night after night,” he sneers.

Orion snarls and attacks, but is rewarded with a slice to the right bicep. It looks like the cut is deep from the dark crimson blood that runs in rivulets down his arm.

Kakara help us.

By now, my hands are white-knuckled on the reins.

Please, Orion!

The brute laughs. “You don’t like that, do you, fae? What? You want her all to yourself? You’ve staked a claim, have you?”

“Maya is too good for the likes of you,” Orion growls. “Too good for the likes of me, too.”

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