Page 21 of Faerie Hunted

We’d stopped on our way out of the castle to grab Noren. Mike settled me on the bed, and a string of heartbeats later the direwolf climbed up beside me, the bed creaking ominously under his weight.

“You know, this room is too small for a direwolf,” Mike suggested gently.

“He stays.” I sucked in a deep breath and settled back against the pillows. “I want to keep my friend with me.”

“I’m not going to fight you, not in your delicate condition.”

Appreciate it.

I rested my hand on Noren’s back. “I might be under the weather but I can still kick a little ass when necessary.”

“I have no doubt. Exceptunder the weatheris an understatement. You didn’t see yourself when I came to get you. You really scared me.”

I shivered. “There's no reason to be scared. I’ll be okay.”

As long as the transfusions kept working. And how long I’d have to have them? No idea.

Nurse Baldric rounded the corner and stopped when he saw the three of us together. “Excuse the interruption.”

Immediately, Mike’s goofy grin fell away into the picture of propriety. “Now there’s even less space in here.”

Baldric glanced between the prince and the direwolf. “I’m not in a position to deny her, despite policy.”

He pushed his cart toward the IV pole to start setting up.

I’d played the pity card too often with Baldric, so he knew I didn’t feel good and having Noren here was a bolster. In reality, I needed backup. Just in case the guards came for me.

Not to mention he was more than a pet to me at this point.

“All right, well, I’ll let you get settled in. I’m not a fan of needles and there are several things I need to handle.”

I reached for him, not wanting him to go. “Thank you for spending time with me. It means a lot.”

He bent to press a kiss to my head “You’re the one doing me a favor. Remember that.”

Despite the dizziness, I went up in flames where he touched me.

Mie nodded to Baldric before leaving the room.

Baldric waited until we were alone to set up the transfusion, sliding the needle back into the crook of my arm with a slight sting. “The prince is smitten with you.”

The feeling was mutual. But I kept that thought to myself and only smiled at him. “Have you known him for a long time?” I asked. “You two seem friendly.”

“Personally? I’m not sure anyone truly knows the prince or his inner world. I can only say he’s been kind, kinder than most of the royals in this place, and he seems to truly care about his people.”

“He’s a good man.”

Better than I deserved.

I turned my face to the window while Baldric finished setting up the transfusion, and when it became clear I wasn't willing to talk anymore, he exited the room.

My hand stilled on Noren and he turned to me once I stopped petting him, a question in his all too intelligent face.

“I’m sorry to say but things might get a little shitty soon. We need to be prepared.”

I rested my other hand on my roiling stomach. If the guards succeeded in getting Barbara to talk, they weren't going to bother with a trial for either of us.

We would be headed straight for the executioner’s ax.

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