Page 34 of Urn My Love

Footsteps pounded against the pavement. “Is she okay?”

“She’s alive,” August answered bluntly, making it clear he wasn’t interested in conversation. Then his voice dropped, and he whispered, “I should spank your perky little backside for this. Why would you go out alone?”

I couldn’t answer. Partly because I was weirdly intrigued by the idea of being spanked by him, and also because I was dying.

The only problem was, I didn’t want to die and regenerate in his arms. That was probably the fastest way to expose my secret.

“That thing came out of nowhere!” Thom stared at me, his face pale as he strode beside August. “Are you okay, Iolani? You saved my life!”

“Well, she shouldn’t have, and if she dies, I’ll kill you too,” August snarled, his lip curling.

“Stop it. This wasn’t his fault.” I tried to hide how difficult it was getting to breathe, thanks to the blood slowly leaking into my lungs. “Thom was sent here by Xerxes to help me with… stuff.”

“Well, maybe he should’ve started by helping you stay alive.” August wasn’t in the mood to be reasonable, and I didn’t have the energy left to argue.

Hooves pounded down the path, and a moment later, the pegasus shoved his face next to mine. Bingo. He was my ticket to saving my secret.

Focusing on the link between us, I sent my thoughts flooding into his mind. Listen, I know you can read minds. Do NOT shift to your human form.

Jazriel’s head reared back in shock. There’s no way she could know that?—

I cut him off. I figured it out on the trail and confirmed it yesterday on the patio when you were getting turned on by the thoughts I sent to you. So don’t even try to deny it.

He still didn’t believe me. Okay, but that doesn’t mean she can read my thoughts…

I rolled my eyes and then groaned as knives stabbed my skull. Yes, I can. Now shut up and listen. I’m dying, and if I don’t get away from August in the next couple of minutes, my cover will be blown. Follow my lead.

Jazriel whinnied, and his ears dropped.

“August? Every step is jarring and hurts so bad,” I gasped, not needing to pretend to be in pain thanks to the horrific pain of bones grinding together and internal bleeding. “Please let Jazriel carry me on his back. It will be smoother and hurt less.”

August didn’t even question my request and quickly settled me on Jazriel’s back. The pegasus eyed me with anguish. I’d hidden my plan from him, but he still sensed he wasn’t going to like it.

“Let’s go, Pony Boy. We need to get her to the lodge and slow the bleeding to give her time to heal,” August snapped, and began to run alongside Jazriel, leaving poor Thom to bring up the rear.

Okay, there’s a large pond alongside the trail right before we exit onto the lodge’s property. I need you to buck me off. Aim for the pond, I told my mate while using just enough magic to keep my heart beating.

You want me to kill you? Absolutely not.

I’m already dying. I promise I’ll be dead before I hit the water.

Ha! And what do you expect me to tell August?

Tell him you stepped on a bee or some crap like that. He’ll be so relieved I’m healed, he will not think twice about you.

I might be a jerk, but I’m not that heartless. Find another way.

My vision was darkening, and we were nearing the pond. We were running out of time and it was now or never. I’ll make this up to you later. Now, aim for the pond.

WHAT?

I sent magic surging to his butt, giving him a non-fatal shock.

The pegasus screeched as the muscles in his hindquarters spasmed, sending me toppling toward the pond that ran alongside that part of the trail.

Yee-haw!

My plan worked beautifully.

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