CHAPTER EIGHTEEN（Untitled）Wranth

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Wranth

The familiar anger of my bloodlust threatens to overwhelm me as my fingers come away wet with Naomi’s blood. Gritting my teeth, I fight it down. My rage will not help her now.

“I’m okay. Thanks to you.” She turns to look at Zephyr and Shadow. “Thanks to all of you.”

“Yes,” I grumble, tipping my head to the cat sith. “Thank you.”

“It sounds like that hurt to say.” Amusement colors Shadow’s voice. “What’s wrong, orc? Did you think I’d run off?”

A growl reverberates through my chest. Am I so easy to read? Well, then, why bother lying? “Yes.”

“Well, you were right.” He grins, eyes glittering with mischief. “But only to a point. I left to get help, and I think we can all agree it’s a good thing I did.” He waves a paw at the other feline fae.

They’re all adults of a similar size, with only subtle differences in their colorations. Some with more black, some more silver, but all so alike you could easily mistake one for the other. It’s another facet of what makes them so sneaky.

“You were all brilliant!” Naomi gushes, spinning to look at each of them. “The way you jumped from the trees like that!”

Zephyr says, “It was an ingenious way to dispatch the sluagh without nets.”

“It was,” I agree. “I apologize for doubting you.”

“The cat sith are allied with orcs and unicorns,” a familiar voice says. “You should not doubt us.”

“Mist.” I turn toward her. “I thought you were at Moon Blade Village with Taylor and Krivoth.”

“I was… this morning. Now I’m here.” She offers me a confident smile. “Those who walk the shadow roads travel fast and far.”

“When you return, will you tell them of Naomi? King Aldronn and the dragons need to know about her as well.” Pride fills my voice. “She opened one of the doors of Faerie.”

The feline fae’s eyes widen. “Now that is a tale to tell. I will hear more of it.”

“Come, let’s get to the den,” Shadow says, heading into the trees. “We’re almost there.”

The other cat sith disappear into the trees around him and Mist.

“The den?” I ask.

“Consider yourselves lucky. Few are invited to our home.”

Again, the cat speaks true, for it is only a short ride to the cat sith den. Soon, a large rock formation rises ahead. It’s surrounded by trees, with a couple of yards directly in front of it open, the ground covered in soft, bright-green moss. A large vertical crack splits the front of the rock face, widening as it descends until it makes a triangular wedge of darkness at ground level.

“Is that a cave?” Naomi asks.

“No.” Shadow grins over at her. “It’s a den. They’re much nicer than caves.”

“Why does it look so abandoned?” Zephyr asks.

I grunt. It’s a good question. Especially since I can feel eyes on me.

“Oh, it’s far from abandoned,” Mist says. Then she raises her voice. “You can come out now.”

Smiles wink into existence all around us, many on the ground, but some scattered across various perches on the rock formation. I imagine sentries must perch in the treetops surrounding the den as well. The bodies of the cat sith are slower to appear. The last one to become visible is an older feline standing in the opening of the cave, their hair bleached to silver.

“It is my honor to present our pack elder, Moonlight,” Shadow says.

“Welcome, allies,” Moonlight says in a strong alto. “Do you accept the hospitality of the cat sith?”

“We do, and we thank you.” I bow my head to her, having learned some small level of diplomatic courtesy from my time in the king’s guard.

I dismount and lift Naomi down, reminded once again of her wounds. “I know we have much to discuss, but I must first tend to my bride’s injuries.”

“I’m okay.” She looks up at me, all beautiful brown eyes and earnestness. “It can wait.”

“You’re bleeding.” The words rip at my throat, emerging horse and choked. “There can be no waiting.”

“No really. As soon as Shadow trapped that bird, I felt better.” Her eyes go haunted, her lush lips pulled down into a frown. “Before that…” She shakes her head.

“You’ve been attacked enough that you’re susceptible to the sluagh now.” Dread goes through me. “The soul stealer who attacked you the first day still holds a piece of your soul, and when the new one took more, it would have weakened you, made you want to pass out.”

“I didn’t.” She lifts her chin, determination hardening her features.

“No, you certainly didn’t,” I say, letting my pride fill my voice. Naomi may not be a fighter, but I love her warrior spirit. “When Shadow trapped the sluagh, it stopped the drain on your soul. And when I ended the vile thing, it freed those pieces of your soul, so they returned to you.”

“Thank you.” My bride beams up at me, her smile striking me with more force than the sun, lightening the dark surrounding my heart.

Voices murmur from all around, Moonlight the loudest. “You trapped a soul stealer, son of mine?”

“I did, and I’ll tell you all about it!” Shadow glances over at me and says more quietly. “That’ll buy you some time to tend to Naomi.”

“Thank you.” It’s easier to say this time.

“Is there anywhere to get a decent bite to eat around here, cat?” Zephyr asks as I remove the packs and saddle from her.

“I’ll show you,” Mist says, walking around the side of the rock formation. “There’s a grassy glen not far.”

I dig through the correct saddlebag until I find the medical supplies. Then I wave for Naomi to sit on a soft clump of moss off to the side of the den entrance, while Shadow tells his story to a ring of felines.

His voice and distraction of the others creates an oasis of privacy for me and my bride. Sneaky cat, though I must admit I don’t mind nearly as much when he uses his wiles to aid me and mine.

I peel the sweater from her shoulders, my hands gliding down her arms. She’s so real, so alive.

Yet I almost lost her.

The bloodlust that rides me when I fight keeps me from thinking of little other than victory. Now that it’s faded, the full force of Naomi in danger slams into me so hard I can barely breathe.

I close my eyes and pray for the first time in years.

Moon Goddess, hear your least worthy son and grant me the power to always protect this most precious gift, my bride. Even if she never wants me for a husband, let me stand as her sword and shield until the end of time, protecting her in this and every world.

“Are you okay?” A touch on my cheek makes my eyes snap open. Naomi’s expression radiates concern.

“I hate that you’re hurt,” I admit. “I hate even more that you got hurt in my care.” It grates. Oh, how it grates!

“What do you mean? You were amazing!” A tiny finger gently pokes my chest. “The way you fought that massive kelpie and won? The way you used the tether to get the drop on him? Freaking incredible.”

I grab her hand and pull it to my mouth, pressing a kiss to that fingertip. That she sees me as worthy is the greatest gift of all.

Then I notice the scratches on the back of her hand. Setting it on top of my thigh, I wet the cleaning cloth and carefully wipe at the wounds, anger roiling in my veins. It grows worse as I push up the sleeves of my borrowed shirt to find bloody beak pecks marring her lovely skin. I clean them as gently as I can, spread elderberry flower salve over them, and smooth bandages on top, making a patchwork of skin that already carries bandages from the first attack.

I don’t even realize I’m growling until Naomi whispers, “Hey, it’s okay.”

My eyes find hers. “I would kill it again for daring to hurt you.”

I’ve leaned forward as I work. Her face is so close her lips look soft and bewitchingly tempting as they open on a little gasp that whispers across my skin.