Page 29 of Blood Weaver
“Unlikeyourpeople,” Caelan said under his breath. Silas charged across the room, already unsheathing his sword.
“No fighting in my clinic!” I shouted before they turned my place upside down.
Ronan motioned for Silas to put away the sword, which he did begrudgingly.
Caelan eyed me up and down. “You don’t look hurt.”
I scowled. “I’m perfectly fine. Just because I’m a healer doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight!”
“If you know who they are, we can get the authorities involved,” Caelan suggested.
Ronan snorted. “Oh, please. What can that governor do besides wave that fat finger around as if he runs things here?”
I stepped around my station and walked back outside. “Your Highness?” I called out to Marcellus. “Would you mind escorting Selene back to the pleasure house?”
His eyes brightened. “Of course!”
“Leila, no.” Selene inched closer. “You can’t be left alone with them,” she whispered so only I could hear.
I waved off her concern. “I’ll be fine. Now go, before Madam Rose sends bounty hunters to come after you.”
She hesitated for a brief moment before nodding and turning to walk away with Marcellus.
I turned back around to find Caelan, Ronan, and Silas waiting impatiently. Getting rid of them would be a pain in the arse. I walked back inside and waved them away. “Can you all leave so I can nurse my headache in peace?” I groused.
“It’s not safe to be left alone, Leila,” Ronan chided. “Bandits are swarming the Central Plains.”
“That’s not news. They’ve always been in the Central Plains; it hasn’t stopped me before. I’ll be fine,” I blustered.
“Like you were last night? You were very nearly overpowered,” he warned.
“I was not! You just stepped in before I had a chance to do anything. There’s a difference. Maybe next time you should mind your own business.”
Ronan scoffed. “I won’t allow anyone to touch what is mine,” he growled.
Caelan studied the scene and silently watched us volley barbs and protests back and forth. It was unsettling.
“I don’t belong to anyone! You better watch your words before others get the wrong idea,” I gritted between my teeth. “You should know a woman’s reputation is everything.”
Ronan snorted and raised a brow. “And being with me would ruin yours?”
“Yes. It would.” I stared at him without flinching. “So stop giving others the wrong impression. We arenothingto each other!”
Ronan burst into a throaty laugh as he prowled toward me, stopping when he reached the edge of my boots. “You. Are. Mine,” he announced. “The faster you get that through your head, the easier things will be.” He looked slightly over his shoulder to Caelan, who still watched us intently, then turned back to me and lowered his voice. “I’m sure you don’t want others to learn the truth.”
“I don’t take kindly to threats,” I whispered.
He smirked. “No threats, sweetness. Only promises.”
I pushed him away and he stumbled back with a slight chuckle. “Remember my words, Leila.”
I glared at him until Caelan stepped between us and faced me.
“Leila, you’re more than welcome to stay with us at the governor’s residence if …” he peered over his shoulder at Ronan and then back at me, “if you don’t feel safe here.”
I looked between the prince and the clan chief’s son. Ronan’s eyes glinted dangerously in response to the prince's offer. The air between them crackled with unspoken threats and tension.
“I appreciate the offer, Your Highness, but I’ll be fine,” I replied, determined to stand my ground. “This is my home and my clinic. I won't be scared out of it.”
