Page 28 of The Princes of Stone and Steel

“Your blush is cute, my love. And you aremylove.”

I slapped his arm, feeling a little less stupid. “You did that on purpose.”

“Can’t take it back, Mils. You love me. We both know you do.”

Refusing to acknowledge that whole direction of topic, I asked in a purposefully indirect way, “Why would a relationship between one of your kind and someone from my world be a no-no?”

“Sorry. I can’t answer that one.”

“Wouldn’t it be safer if you took me back to my world?”

“They’re giving you the chance to remember this time. They’ll just try to kill you next time. No capture involved. Korrigan and I would be the only ones capable of keeping you safe. But if I go, I’ll lose favor in the court, and right now that favor is what’s keeping you alive. Everyone would be out to kill us both, including my father.”

“But aren’t you supposed to take over the throne someday?”

He shrugged. “My father will simply take another bride and try for another heir. Eventually, he’ll hit and get a son.”

“Then we should get back,” I said, repeating his earlier statement.

Though even as we began to move back in the direction of the Forfex lands, a large gust of wind descended down on me, only me, shutting Steele out and robbing me of my breath. I could hear the prince yelling for me, but the rumble in my ears was too loud to make out his words.

Then the rumble began to form words of its own. In a deep, low timbre, reminiscent of a lion’s roar. “Yoouuu cannnottt returnnnn… Eeevannn assss weee speeeeek, the Forrrfexxxx kinnngggg oorrrderrrsss yourrrr deeemissseee…”

And just as swiftly as it descended, the wind released me. I sucked in a greedy breath, dropping to my knees. My hair a tangled mess, falling into my face. With every inhale I sucked the lose strands into my mouth choking on them, making me cough.

Steele dropped down to my side, checking me over for injuries between severe hugs and kisses, which felt more out of relief than love.

“We need to get you backnow,” he whispered against my cheek with his lips pressed to my skin.

“No. The wind was warning me.”

“You heard the wind?” He moved to shove slightly away from me, searching my face, hoping he found what he was looking for. He must have because in a voice rife with emotion, he said, “Being here, it’s coming back to you. Only the flesh can hear the wind whispers.”

I, of course, held on tighter. “It wasn’t a whisper. It was as loud as a lion’s roar, so I knew it meant business. Your father has grown tired of waiting for me to remember and has ordered my execution.”

“We have no choice, then. We have to get you out—hide you again in your world.”

It seemed the trees overheard our discussion and approved as those faces showed again in the creases and dips of the bark. Tree roots ripped from the ground and branches bent and bowed to create a path for us.

As the path cut farther ahead of us, we followed the way the trees wanted us to go, farther into the outliers. Steele never once removed his hand from mine.

“Maybe you shouldn’t go with me.” My words left my mouth breathy since I wasn’t used to speed-walking. Gym membership. Something to keep in mind if the scissor people were going to keep coming after me. Maybe if Aunt Cynthia had let me participate in sports, I’d have more endurance now. She really didn’t think that one through. The woman knew I was being actively hunted by Forfex. What a wasted opportunity.

“What?” Steele’s fingers tightened around mine even as he continued to tug me along next to him. “You don’t want me with you?”

His words came breathy too, but in that way when someone is trying to keep their temper in check when dealing with a child who’s just not getting it, though they’re on the fifth time of explaining.

“Don’t be stupid, of course Iwantyou with me. What I don’t want is you to get in trouble over me.”

My foot caught on a root and I tumbled, right into Steele’s strong arms because he made it so, catching me easily.

His aluminum eyes searched mine for a heartbeat before he pecked my lips and set me right, taking my hand again to keep us moving.

“Not a proper kiss,” he muttered. “But it’ll have to do for now. We don’t have time for more.Yet.”

“You’re still coming with me, aren’t you?”

“You got away from me once. I’ll not lose you again. You’re my love, my true mate. I’ll die first.”

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