“Come,” I ordered, climbing out the window and holding it open for him. The soft thud of his bulk crushed the orchids beneath.
The flames in my blood that’d been sated while I’d stayed close to Rook returned in full force. Sweat broke out, rolling down my spine. “That girl can look after her while I can’t.”
Breaking into a fast walk, the embers in my bones caught fire.
With every breath, the ash in my lungs choked me—
“Ghh.” I doubled over as another shot of molten torture threatened to knock me out.
I shoved a fist into my stomach, fighting the urge to return to Rook. It seemed even unconscious, she had the power to ease my pain.
But I didn’t trust myself not to touch her again.
Didn’t even recognise myself with what she’d fucking done to me.
Gritting my teeth, I tripped toward my quarters.
As long as I kept my pulse calm I could—
PAIN.
White-hot fire tore through my chest, almost sending me to my knees.
Whisper whimpered, low and uneasy, pressing his solid strength against me.
“Don’t,” I rasped. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t believe me, staying plastered to my side—doing what he’d trained himself to do when I got this bad.
“Am I that weak to you?” I tried to laugh—
The next surge buckled me completely.
My vision tunnelled, spots blooming at the edges. I caught myself on his velvety shoulder, digging my fingers into his powerful muscle.
Whisper started walking, his shoulder blades undulating under my hand. I moved with him, putting most of my weight on him, using him as a walking stick.
Pressing my other hand over my smouldering heart, the world tilted—
Whisper hissed again, half-shoving me toward my home.
I wanted to push him away, to keep a scrap of dignity—but the ground lurched again, and I lost the argument.
“Stupid beast,” I muttered.
He sneezed violently, telling me exactly what he thought of my pathetic existence.
My head hung in defeat. “Just get me home. Then you can gloat all you want.”
I managed to stay awake just long enough to pass out face-first on my bed.
Chapter Forty-Eight
BLOOD SPRAYING EVERYWHERE.
A panther’s snarl. A scream—
My eyes flew wide, stopping the replay of what happened.
