Page 65 of Wolf's Bane
There were several threads in that statement that merited a follow-up, and he hated the idea of anyone—anyone—touching her, but her heart skipped the tiniest amount.
She lied.
“Oh? You found someone in the village willing to brave your father’s wrath.”
She flushed. “At school. University. Papa sent Luis and me off to a boarding school in Founding after Mama, you know. Then I did two years at university before the money dried up. So if you’re hesitant about ruining my honor, you need not bother. I ruined it long ago.”
“Educated and worldly,” he said, running an appreciating hand up her arm, “but a terrible liar.”
She glanced away. “Alek, I could have died, and—”
“Hush. I hesitate not for a lack of desire but because you deserve better than a hasty fuck on the ground.”
“Under the moonlight with the man who saved me.” Her lips quirked up in a slight smile.
“Where did you hear about anchors?” Had Godwin divulged Alek’s family history?
She breathed out, almost a pout. She would not get what she believed she wanted, though she tempted him. Mightily.
“In a book written by an original colonist whose husband had the same affliction as you.” She yawned, covering her mouth at the last moment. “It’s fascinating. I’m particularly interested in page 72.”
“Page 72?”
Another yawn interrupted her nod.
“Sleep. When it is light, you’ll explain this book.” He pulled her to him and she snuggled against him, her head against his shoulder.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Company arrived soonerthan he liked.
“What did you do to her?” Luis stood over them, blocking the moonlight.
Alek cradled a sleeping Solenne to his chest. He curled around her to shield her nakedness with his body as best he could. That he was likewise nude and more than a little shaggy created an alarming tableau.
“Are you trying to eat her?”
“Honestly, Luis,” Alek snapped. “Does it look like I’m feasting on her innards? She was attacked. I drove off the beast, but it’s near.”
Luis snapped to attention. “The beast that attacked the house?”
“No. I believe it is the one I encountered near Fallkirk. It followed me here.”
“How serious are her injuries?” Luis crouched down, reaching out a hand. Alek snarled, and Luis jerked back in surprise. “She’s bleeding. Let’s go to the house.”
“No.” Alek’s hold tightened on Solenne. “I can’t leave just yet.”
“Then carry her.”
“You misunderstand. I cannot leave the circle. Not yet. It’s not safe. The beast is still out there.” He could not say why the stones were safer than heading toward the house, but he felt stronger there. Recharged. He wished he could better explain the compulsion, but they had to stay where they were until dawn broke.
“So you intend to keep my sister here, exposed to the elements while injured, passed out and wearing rags?”
“And whose fault is that?” Alek snapped, angered by Luis’ condescending tone. “Letting her wander alone at night. Where were you? When she screamed for help? Cried out in pain?”
