"It would have been a shame to lose them," he said, his eyes lingering on the collection."Took me years to find each book."He squeezed her hand."Come on, let's check upstairs."They climbed the staircase together; her fingers still entwined with his.The guest rooms—including hers—appeared untouched by the storm's fury.When they reached the end of the hallway, they found Krevan's bedroom door firmly shut.
“I didn’t shut that door last night when I left to find you,” she pointed out, squeezing his hand.
“Okay—stand behind me,” he said.He pushed the door open easily.Inside, all three picture windows were shattered, and splinters of wooden debris were scattered everywhere.A long board pierced the mattress where they had made love, thrown through the window like a javelin.
“Thank God we weren’t here,” Ancelin whispered, pressing a hand to her throat.
“You’re right.I shouldn’t have left you alone.I’m glad you came looking for me when you did.”Krevan ran a hand through his hair, frustration in his voice.“I’ll have to install storm shutters.I didn’t realize what Verrian tornadoes could do.First, we need to check on the animals, then head into Coti for supplies and see if the town’s still standing.”
“Krevan, don’t be so hard on yourself.You did nothing wrong.We’re both safe, and that’s what matters.You promised we could fix anything, and we will.”She took his hand, caressed it, and kissed his knuckles, feeling her love for him deepen.
They left the bedroom and went to the garage, where his all-terrain vehicles waited.“Get in.I’ll drive us around the chicken house and barns to inspect the damage and check on the animals.Then we’ll go to Coti.”
Obediently, Ancelin climbed aboard as he manually lifted the garage door.He was in and out so quickly it made her head spin.Once the door closed behind them, he threaded the ATV around the outbuildings.Finding no external damage, he stopped and turned to her.“Lock the doors and wait here.I’m going to check on the animals—won’t be long.Promise you’ll lock up the moment I get out?”
"Alright, Krevan."As soon as he stepped out of the car, Ancelin quickly locked the doors.By the time she glanced up from the locking pad, he had disappeared.She kept a vigilant eye out for his return.Suddenly, the door swung open, and Krevan was back in the driver's seat.Ancelin let out a scream."Oh, my goodness, Krevan, I’m sure I locked the door.I didn’t see you come back, and I was watching the whole time," Ancelin said, her voice unnaturally high.
"I know you locked it.I heard the click," Krevan said, his eyes softening at her furrowed brow."Better now?"He touched her shoulder."I keep making you jump, don't I?"The corner of his mouth lifted."Livestock's safe, barns too.Town next—we'll drive past the old house."The vehicle’s engine rumbled to life beneath them.Ancelin leaned against the window."You think it's destroyed?"Krevan nodded, keeping his eyes on the rutted path."An old place like that?Wasn't built to withstand tornados.And that chunk of wood in the living room?Had to come from somewhere."His voice remained steady, matter of fact."We should look," she whispered.
Krevan swung the vehicle around the main house toward where the old structure had stood.Only splintered beams remained, jutting from the foundation like broken bones.Ancelin's laugh came out hollow."Lucky me," she said, gesturing toward the wreckage."There goes my rental house, Mr.Vallex."She jabbed his ribs with her elbow, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Yeah, I’m glad you were with me.Let's head to town and stock up before everything is gone.We don’t know how badly this storm affected everyone else and what’s coming next."
They reached Coti within forty-five minutes.The tiny settlement consisted of a single thoroughfare lined with half a dozen modest structures.Though the tornado had clearly swept through, it had left only minor damage in its wake.Vehicles crowded the narrow street as residents from surrounding areas converged on the town, desperate for supplies.Judging by the rush, other parts of Verrian hadn't fared as well as Coti.
Krevan maneuvered into a space not far from a weathered building with "Coti Feed Store and Supplies" painted across its facade.He turned to Ancelin before shutting off the engine."I need to replenish our feed supply—my own fault for letting them run so low.After that, we'll find materials to secure those windows.I've only got two replacement panes at home."His eyes met hers firmly."Stay beside me.If anyone approaches you—man or woman—tell them you're with me and move closer.And if you see something you want, just say the word.Ready?"
Before she could answer, Krevan had slipped from the vehicle and was at her door, unlocking it before she’d even blinked.He guided her down and propelled her through the store’s entrance.Inside, the hubbub dimmed to a hush; every head turned toward them, anticipation crackling in the air.Without hesitation, Krevan laced his fingers through hers and strode through the crowd.People parted like reeds in a storm, clearing their path without a murmur.
The store owner's eyes widened at the sight of Krevan.He hurried over, leaving a woman mid-sentence at the counter."Mr.Vallex!An honor, sir.How may I assist you today?"he asked, hands clasped before him.
Krevan nodded once, seemingly unaware of the stares from other patrons."I'll need supplies for the livestock—chicken feed, pig meal, tartis grain.Also, ten Verrian Kitas wood panels and four plastican rolls."
As shop clerks rushed off to fetch his order, Krevan scanned the shelves for anything else he needed.Ancelin drifted down the aisles, her fingers brushing over colorful stones glittering under the light.She scooped up a handful—each gem promising to become a piece of jewelry she’d treasure—then turned toward the counter.
Six burly men had spilled into the aisle and planted themselves before her, blocking her escape.Two she recognized from the trespass on Krevan’s land before the storm.The tallest of the newcomers stepped forward, shoulders hunched as if to intimidate.“Well, what do we have here?”he rumbled, voice thick with saliva.“Never seen you around.You’re a beauty—fresh and young.Name’s Donvick.”He thrust a grimy hand at her.
Ancelin recoiled, pivoting to reach for Krevan.Donvick’s fingers snapped around her arm like steel traps.The other five men closed in, eyes gleaming.
“Listen, female,” Donvick snarled, hauling her closer.“You’ll pay attention when I talk to you.I just wanna know your name, pretty thing.”His breath reeked of sweat and rot.
Ancelin yanked her arm, tension coiling in her chest.“You’ll let go of my arm—now.”
His laugh scraped like metal on stone as he closed the distance between them, trapping her against the shelf with his weight."Why would I stop when I'm enjoying myself, darling?"His hips thrust forward, pinning her in place."Perfect," he said, leering at her.
Blood rushed to her head, pounding against her temples."Get your hands off me.Now."
Three men snickered, but the pair she recognized from Krevan's farm exchanged uneasy glances before melting into the crowd of onlookers, clearly unwilling to interfere with what they considered Vallex property.
"Not fucking happening, sweetheart," he said, yellow teeth bared in what passed for a smile."We're just getting acquainted.Might even pass you around to my boys when I'm done stretching you out."Donvick leaned closer, his breath hot and sour against her face."Waste of a tight hole, standing there all prissy.Bet you'd be more useful with your legs spread and your mouth shut or suckin’ my cock.”His gaze dropped to her chest then lower, lingering between her legs with the lazy confidence of a man who takes what he wants.
"Please let me go!"she pleaded, her voice trembling."I shouldn’t have wandered away from my husband.”
"Husband?Which poor fool thinks he owns what I'm about to take?"Donvick sneered.
"Krevan Vallex," she said, voice barely above a whisper.The name hung in the air like a spell.Donvick's face drained of color, his swagger evaporating.A blur of movement followed—Donvick's massive body airborne one moment, then sprawled on the floor the next.Krevan materialized above him, one boot crushing Donvick's windpipe, eyes cold as the void between stars.Around them, the store's chatter died.Not a breath, not a whisper.Just the soft creak of Krevan's boot pressing down.
"Ancelin."Krevan's voice sliced through the store's hushed atmosphere."I told you not to wander."His boot pressed harder against Donvick's throat, causing a strangled wheeze."And you," he addressed the pinned man, "seem to have forgotten the rules of trespassing and touching what belongs to me.”Something primal and terrible flickered behind Krevan's eyes."She’s mine.Perhaps you need a reminder of the consequences for those who disregard my boundaries?"
