Chapter 14

Kalpar's head pounded as he came to, his vision slowly swimming back into focus as he blinked up at the trees overhead. Trees… For a moment he wasn't sure where he was or what had happened. Then it all came rushing back - the ambush, the blinding pain as something struck the back of his skull, and worst of all, Constance's panicked scream as Vexian's men descended on their camp.

Rage boiled up inside him - rage at Vexian and at her father but most of all at himself. He had failed her. After everything they had been through, he had let his guard down at the worst possible time. How could he have been so foolish? He'd learned long ago that a peaceful setting could conceal monstrous evil. Now she was at Vexian's mercy and it was his fault.

Gritting his teeth against the throbbing ache in his head, he forced himself to remain still as he took stock of the situation. He was lying in the brush at the edge of their camp, partially out of sight but still close enough to hear what was happening. Turning his head in slow, almost imperceptible movements, he found a position where he could peer between the leaves. Constance was standing in front of Vexian, her eyes wide with fear as the Ctharan loomed over her. His stomach clenched as he saw her fragile wrist in his monstrous claw. The two henchmen were relaxed, leering at Vexian and Constance and clearly not expecting any more trouble. Amateurs.

His fingers twitched with the urge to draw his knives and charge, to rip the smug grin off Vexian's face, but he held himself in check. Although he was outnumbered, he was fast and he was accurate. Unfortunately, Vexian had Constance in his possession and that gave him the upper hand. For now. He couldn't risk her getting caught in the crossfire.

No, he would have to call on his former skills as a guerilla fighter, trained for stealth and precision strikes. If he could pick them off one by one he would stand a much better chance, and he decided the two henchmen were the easiest targets. They were complacent, not expecting an attack from the brush, and he would use that against them.

Slowly, carefully, he crept backwards through the undergrowth. As soon as he was out of sight of the camp, he circled around to approach from a different angle. As he moved he formulated a plan, visualizing the layout of the camp and calculating distances before creeping closer again.

As soon as he was in position, he drew his knives and crouched, poised and ready to strike. He picked up a small stone and tossed it next to the closest henchman's feet. As he expected, the man reflexively glanced towards the sound. As soon as he moved, Kalpar threw his knife. It embedded itself in the man's throat and he collapsed to the ground with no more than a quiet gurgle. Before the body even hit the ground, he was moving, slipping through the shadows beneath the trees towards the other henchman.

The fool hadn't even noticed that his partner had collapsed. He was fixated on Constance, a lustful leer on his face. Vexian was taunting her, but Kalpar slammed the door on his anger, forcing himself to stay calm and detached. Emotion would only make him careless.

He crept closer to the oblivious male using the natural camouflage of the forest until he was directly behind the hulking henchman. In one smooth motion, he slipped his knife across the man's throat. Dark blood spurted silently, but the body collapsed with a heavy thud.

Vexian whirled in shock at the noise, beady black eyes widening in alarm. He dropped Constance's arm as he turned and Kalpar used the opportunity to attack. His knife sliced through the air, aiming straight for Vexian's heart but the other male reacted with surprising speed, knocking his arm aside and deflecting the blow.

"You!" Vexian snarled in recognition.

Kalpar blocked out everything except the need to defeat this male and protect his mate. Without a word, he struck again, feinting left before bringing his knife around in a deadly arc towards Vexian's ribs. The Ctharan barely managed to twist away, the blade leaving a long gash across his side, and he stumbled back with a howl of pain and outrage.

"I'll kill you for that!" he spat. "And then your female will pay for every mark!"

He didn't bother with threats or insults, circling warily. He feinted left, then right, watching for an opening. Vexian lashed out wildly with his claws, but he evaded the attack with ease.

"She is mine," Kalpar said finally, his voice deathly quiet. "You will not touch her."

Vexian roared and charged at him. At the last second, Kalpar dropped and rolled, coming up behind the Ctharan and driving his knife into the male's lower back with brutal force.

Vexian screamed in agony, crumpling to his knees as Kalpar wrenched the blade free. He pulled male's head back and drew his knife across his throat in one brutal stroke, silencing Vexian's cries forever. Silence fell over the clearing. It was over. Their enemies were dead.

Chest heaving, he whirled around searching for Constance. She was pressed against a tree, her face pale but tears of relief in her eyes. She launched herself towards him but he reached her first, holding her close and breathing in her sweet scent. She sobbed against his chest and he closed his eyes in a grateful prayer. She was safe.

Now that the battle was over his hands shook but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that his mate was in his arms where she belonged.

"I love you," he whispered, tightening his arm around her.

She looked up at him, tears still streaming down her cheeks as she gave him a radiant smile.

"I love you too."

His heart skipped a beat as he studied her face.

"Are you sure? Even though I was foolish enough to let down my guard and put you in danger?"

"Of course I'm sure! And you rescued me. Again."

"I will always rescue you," he promised.

"Hopefully you won't have to rescue me again," she said, and then she laughed and cried but she was in his arms and that was all that mattered.