Only when she’d managed to turn the car around did she allow herself one final look in the rearview mirror at the man who’d claimed her as his, but what she saw made her wish she hadn’t.
He was on the ground, the last of his power constricting around Naharan’s body as the Prince knelt on top of him, rage evident on his face. And behind them stood six women, looking dispassionately at the two males as if waiting for Kain to be subdued.
What the fuck? Were they female demons? Why were they with the Prince?
Selma desperately flicked through scenarios even after she rounded a bend, leaving them behind as she sped along the winding road at much higher speeds than was wise. Distance was the only thing that could save her, the only thing that would make Kain’s sacrifice mean something.
My love. He’d called her my love.
Her heart clenched and she gasped as tears threatened to blind her.
He’d saved her yet again, this time giving his own life. She prayed to any power, divine or otherwise who might have been listening, that he would live through this—that the man he’d told her to call would be able to help save him.
None of it made any sense. Why had Naharan ambushed them? The laws were meant to protect a mated couple—their union was meant to be sacred, as far as she had understood.
And the females? If they were demons, then why were they just standing there, looking on? They were the males’ sworn enemies.
Nothing about the scene made sense. The only thing that was clear was the aching hollow in her heart that seemed to grow with every mile she put between herself and Kain.
When she finally pulled over forty-five minutes later, she’d given up on holding her tears at bay.
With shaking hands, she grabbed the phone off the dashboard and opened the car door to get out. She needed to calm down if she were to have any hope of making this “Kesh” understand a word she was saying.
Selma wiped at her eyes to stem the steady trickle of tears before leaning against the car and breathing deeply. The quicker she got a hold of herself, the sooner she could get Kain help.
That thought dried her tears. He needed her to be strong now. The father of the life growing inside of her needed her.
Her hands were still shaking when she pulled out the phone and scrolled through his contacts, but she managed to find the entry with Kesh’s number and press “call.”
The silence of the dark roadside seemed to press in around her as she listened to the phone ring. Over and over the sharp tone buzzed into her ear, each time making her panic bubble closer to the surface.
What if he didn’t answer? What on Earth was she going to do? She could try to call Thomren if his number was listed in Kain’s phone, but if he was home with his pregnant mate it would take him way too long to get to Colorado.
“Yes?”
The gruff voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, and Selma exhaled as relief and adrenaline made the muscles in her legs soften.
“Kesh?”
A moment’s silence. “Yes. Who’s this?”
“Selma, Kain’s Mate. He told me to call you?—”
“What happened?” he interrupted. “Where are you?”
“In Western Colorado, off Route 40. Prince Naharan and some women—I think demons—attacked us. They’ve got Kain. Please, we need your help.”
A growl burst through the phone at her explanation, but the sound of it soothed her. His anger was directed at their attackers.
“I’m on my way. Do you have access to transportation?”
“Yes,” she said, glancing at the fancy car Kain had driven her straight from the Governor’s mansion to Colorado in.
“Good. I’m going to text you directions to a cafe in the nearest town. Drive straight there. I will be there in less than an hour. Do not stop for anything, understood?”
“Okay.” Knowing that someone who sounded as competent and in control as this Kesh was would be taking charge of the situation was a huge relief. Selma slumped against the side of the car when her muscles threatened to give in to the delayed shock. “Thank you.”
He grunted, then disconnected the call, leaving her alone on the side of the road.
