Page 130 of This Vicious Dream

He lifts me from Fox, placing me gently on the ground, where I balance on one foot. When I attempt to limp away, he catches my upper arm. “Wait here.”

My ankle aches enough that I comply. He sees to the horses, then returns, carrying me to a spot he has picked near a small stream.

“We’ll need to boil our drinking water,” he murmurs. “Now let me take a look at that ankle.”

He frowns over it, wrapping it in a cool, damp rag.

“This should help with the swelling. I’ll wrap it properly when I return.”

“Return?”

“Dinner. I’ll hunt.”

Calysian is a dedicated carnivore. And he stayed away from camp last night, missing dinner. My own stomach rumbles, and he smiles down at it.

“Don’t fret,” he says, his eyes meeting mine, “I’ll see toallyour needs.”

My thighs clench. “I thought you were furious with me.”

“I am. And I’m pleased to be the one to introduce you to angry sex.” His eyes darken, and he gives me a look filled with so much dark lust, my breath catches in my throat.

I should deny him. Should deny that I want him. Calysian waits, and when I don’t speak he brushes my hair tenderly back from my face.

“Stay here,” he says, his gaze turning clinical as he sweeps his eyes over my weapons. He gives the knife at my side an approving nod. “Keep off that ankle.”

He prowls into the forest, but I know he’ll stay close.

I watch the horses as they lower their heads, nibbling at the scarce grass. Calysian will feed them properly when they’ve cooled down.

Angry sex.

My skin heats, as I watch water rippling in the stream. It has been days since we touched each other that way.

I should have known my commitment to “just one night” would weaken. And yet, that little voice whispers that I just needone more, and then I’ll be able to calmly walk away from him.

That voice is a liar. I snort, shaking my head.

Maybe if I—

My instincts scream a warning, and I push from the tree stump, attempting to surge to my feet.

But it’s too late.

A huge hand clamps over my mouth, strong, male arms dragging me across the camp. I sweep my flames toward my attacker.

Shielded.

An unnatural, reinforced ward.

One I’ve seen before. One I’vefeltbefore.

Thick, choking terror fills my lungs, turning my limbs to water.

Kyldare.

Madinia

Numbness sweeps through my body.

---