Page 92 of Powerless

My smile is full of mock sweetness as I wrap the fabric back around his wound and shoulder, covering the salve with the battered bandage. “Just looking out for my new partner.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhmm,” I hum distractedly, biting the inside of my cheek as I examine my handiwork.

“Well in that case...” Kai stands to his feet, steps close, and hits me lightly across the face.

I let out a humorless laugh, touching my fingers to my cheek. Then my gaze locks with his amused one. He shrugs casually. “Mosquito.”

“Prove it,” I challenge.

The corner of his mouth twists upwards as he raises his hand to cup my face. “My proof happens to still be splattered on your cheek.” I hold my breath as he swipes his thumb gently over my skin before holding it up to display the smudged bug. “Just looking out for my partner.”

His tone is mocking, and yet, laughter begins bubbling out of me.

I can’t seem to stop, can’t seem to control my cackling. The thought of us hitting each other like children in the middle of a deadly Trial is extremely comical. And for once, I hope there is a Sight watching this unfold.

The glimpse of confusion and concern on Kai’s face only make me laugh more, and I clamp a hand over my now throbbing wound as I shake with laughter.

Maybe I am still delusional after all.

I snort loudly, and that’s all it took to get Kai laughing with me—well, at me. The sound is rich and deep, and irritatingly enough, I find myself quieting so I can hear it better. And then, all too quickly, the sound stops.

He’s looking at me, and I’m looking at him. I don’t know what to say or think or do as his eyes trail over my face, taking in my dirty and disheveled appearance.

He, on the other hand, looks just as annoyingly attractive as always.

I shake the thought from my head, running a hand through my tangled hair as I struggle to form words. Meanwhile, Kai is content to watch me squirm as I try to come up with something to break the heavy silence that has fallen between us.

My eyes drop to his bandaged wound and words tumble out of my mouth. “So, I’m assuming Braxton did this to you?”

Kai chuckles as he runs a hand through his own hair, only causing the messy, black waves to tumble over his brow again. “You should see what I did to him.” He says the words so casually that I would think he was kidding if I didn’t know what he was capable of.

“Yeah, well.” I look away, about to say something that will likely piss the prince off when he holds up a hand, quieting me.

“Don’t. Move.”

I scoff. “What, is there another mosquito on my—”

His hand clamps over my mouth before he whirls me around by the waist, pinning me against his solid frame. I’m stunned for heartbeat before I contemplate biting the fingers covering my lips. But something about the way his breathing quickens makes me pause my plotting to escape his hold. And with his chest pressed against my back, I can feel his heart hammering quickly. Too quickly.

I spot movement in my peripheral, my eyes snapping to the large, looming shape now stalking towards us through the wall of trees. Silver fur gleams in the sunlight, shifting with every move of the powerful body beneath. Glowing yellow eyes lock with mine as the beast halts, eying us from afar.

Wolf.

No. Wolves.

My eyes scan the trees, finding four more massive bodies covered in fur, all ranging in color. The five of them watch us, half covered by the surrounding pine trees as they size up their next meal with hungry eyes.

My heart is thumping against my ribcage, my breathing shallow and quick. It’s a good thing Kai’s hand is still covering my mouth, because I nearly yelp at the sudden feel of his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. “You never seem to listen, do you?”

I reach up slowly, keeping my eyes trained on the wolves as I grab his wrist and pull his hand away from my mouth. “Technically, I did listen. I talked, not moved,” I whisper back, my voice sharp.

I can feel his mouth smiling against my ear. “Smartass.”

“So, what’s the plan? What are we doing?” My voice is urgent as I eye the wolves.

“There is nowe,”he says softly, releasing his hold to step slowly around until he’s standing in front of me. “You are still injured,” he murmurs, “and I’m not risking you tearing my stitches open.”

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