The werewolves.A whole pack of them, as Tisvali had mentioned.Apparently, death reverted them to human form.And they were able to go furry during the day, with no moon casting its light in the sky.Whatever I knew about them from movies clearly did not apply, just as Hollywood had gotten all the other monsters wrong.
What was also wrong was my left foot.As soon as I tried tostep on it using my good arm to push myself up, I was greeted by sharp pain in my ankle.I lost my balance before I could transfer my weight to my other foot.I braced myself for the inevitable fall–
And found myself in Karim’s arms.He lowered me down to sit and moved aside to let Deidre take a closer look at my foot.
“Her ankle is starting to swell,” she concluded.“You can’t walk like this, can you, Jasmine?”
I shook my head, heart in my throat.They were going to leave me for sure now.Elves were all about the laws of nature.And in nature, lame animals were left to die.
“Step aside.I’ll do it,” Karim said, the tone of his voice full of resolve.
“Karim, you shouldn’t, it’s–” Deidre started, but a sharp look of his made her close her mouth and step away from me.
“Oh gosh!”They were going to finish me off, and it would be Karim delivering the killing blow.
I should have known that this beautiful elf would be the death of me.
I closed my eyes and braced myself for the end.I wasn’t going to beg for mercy; I still had some dignity left.At least I knew he would make it quick: one swift move of his blade and–
I cried out as pain shot through my wounded arm… which was now pressed against something warm and firm.
I opened my eyes as I felt my body leave the ground.I was in Karim’s arms, nestled against his chest.
– 9 –
No
Karim was touching me–willingly.The Prince himself was going to carry me.He kept his face turned away from mine, which was now intimately close to his, but he was going to take me to safety.
Judging by the look on the others’ faces, I wasn’t the only one shocked.This wasn’t a slight touch of a finger under my chin or some quick bandaging of my arm.My whole right side was pressed against him, enough for me to feel the firmness of his chest and the shift of his abs as he moved.His bare arms, in direct contact with my skin, flexed beneath me as he made sure not to jostle me along the uneven terrain.Shouldn’t he be grossed out?
“Karim, this is dangerous,” Deidre said to our left, eyes scanning our surroundings and bow at the ready once more.“Youcan’t be seen touching a human like this.”
Karim kept walking in silence.
He didn’t seem hindered by my weight, but I still tried to be as immobile as possible.I also kept my head down, because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes off his face right next to mine.Not even the pain could distract me from how close we were.
“Karim.”
He exhaled.“What do you suggest I do, Deidre?I willnotleave her behind.She got hurt because of me, so I will bear the responsibility.”
The she-elf snorted.“None of us would leave her behind.All I’m saying is you shouldn’t be seen like this, or everyone will draw a dangerous conclusion.Letmecarry her inside.”
Karim turned his head sharply in her direction.“No.You will get in more trouble than me for this transgression.”
“What’s the worst the Queen will do to me?Execute me for suspected mossy fun?”Deidre rolled her eyes.
Holy moly.Now I saw the problem more clearly.Being carried by any elf had a whole new meaning around here.
“You’ll be giving a bad example,” Karim replied.“Mesia will use you as a warning against fraternization with a human.Especially now, when there are humans in the Kingdom, making your example easy to follow.”I felt his muscles tense against me as he added, “She may order your execution.”
“Why are you so sure the Queen won’t executeyou?”Deidre wouldn’t give up.“It’s not like you are her favorite baby brother.”
He shot Deidre a look.
She sighed.“I know, I know, you believe she cares for you, and the law forbids sibling execution.But the latest law she imposed despite your efforts forbids elf-human moss interactions!Can’t you see that you will be giving the Queen the loophole she needs to get rid of you?”
“Mesia will not execute me.”There wasn’t a single trace ofdoubt in Karim’s tone.“She will not murder her brother.”
