Page 53 of Ensnared
“Yeah, got it.” He drops next to me on one knee and holds up both his hands, channeling magic into my visor, I think. All I know for sure is that it creates a burst of power that finally stops all the pain.
That’s when I let go and float in a sea of relief and sunshine.
When I wake up again, I’m in a bed, and nothing hurts. In fact, I’m warm, calm, and surrounded by fluff. “Fluff Dog?” I croak.
“You really like to milk your injuries, huh?”
I know that voice. I force myself upright. “Are Sammy, Coral, and Jade alright?”
Axel nods. “Fine. All the damage was localized in here.” He points at the hole in his wall where his back door used to be. “Stupid strike blessed thought she was smaller than she was.”
“Women. Always overly optimistic. I think it’s those stupid mirrors they sell that make us look slimmer than we really are.”
I think his lip curls a little—maybe he’s starting to really get me.
“Did you kill her?”
“Of course,” he says.
“I thought they were stronger than you,” I say. “Wasn’t that what you found so upsetting?”
“Not me,” he says. “They’re stronger than most of my people. I’m a prince.” He’s frowning now. I’ve clearly hit a nerve.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you were stronger.”
“Actually, my hot-headed human had nearly killed her when I finally intervened. I finished her off without ever changing out of my human form.” He sits on the edge of the bed. “You shouldn’t have been able to use those swords at all.”
“Well, no one told them that—or me.”
“I’d never actually used them before today,” he grumbles.
“Why not? You never fight as a human, I guess.”
“Well, that,” he says. “But also, no one’s ever been able to get them out of that rock.”
I straighten up. “You’re kidding. I’m the only worthy one?”
“Huh?”
“It’s in all the movies and stuff,” I say. “When there are swords stuck in rocks, or like special, magical hammers, only one worthy person can use them.”
“I doubt that’s?—”
“Trust me,” I say. “That’s what it means.”
“Well, thanks for pulling them out, because I used them just fine tonight, and not many blades can penetrate blessed hide.”
“That’s so unfair.” I swing my legs out of the bed, alarmed at my lack of pants.
“Your clothes were covered in blood,” he says.
I fling my legs back under the covers and look down. I’m wearing a huge button-down shirt.
It’s definitely not my shirt.
“Who dressed me?”
“Me,” he says. “Who else would be strong enough to do it? Sammy?”
