“Where are yougoing?” Gill yelled after Kat. He had no idea why she was running, but he followed her down the path and across the lawn. She didn’t slow. If anything, she ran faster.
A noise sounded.
That must have been what she heard.
A cry. Or a…
His chest tightened.
Maximillian.
His pulse kicked up. He’d never heard his dog make that sound.
Kat stopped and dropped to her knees next to Maximillian, who lay on the snow with his left front paw caught in a trap.
No. Gill’s heart pounded against his rib cage. Traps weren’t used on the castle grounds. How could this have happened?
“Don’t worry, Max,” she said in a comforting voice. “We’ll have you fixed up in no time.”
Gill’s insides twisted. “He’s bleeding.”
“There’s no trail of blood, so that’s a good sign.” She examined Maximillian’s leg. “This trap was loose. Look at the prints in the snow. He was probably trying to make it back to the castle.”
She sounded competent and in control.
Gill felt the opposite way. A million and one bad things circled around his mind like speed skaters practicing on the local rink.
He kneeled next to her, but she stopped him from reaching out to his dog.
“Be careful.” She touched Gill’s arm. “Sometimes dogs that are injured act differently than they usually do.”
“We’re here, mate.” Gill forced the words from his dry throat. A lump burned, making it difficult to talk. He swallowed, but that didn’t help.
An ache spread from his stomach to his heart. He wanted to make his dog better, but he didn’t know how. His mother had once mentioned how hard seeing him and Sophie hurt or ill was for her. He hadn’t understood until now.
He looked at Kat. “Is Maximillian going to be okay?”
Once the words were out, Gill wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
“The damage to his foot could be much worse.” Her voice held no worry. She spoke professionally like the veterinarians who worked at the animal clinic in town. “I need to get this trap off before more damage is done.”
“Let’s call his vet first.” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.
“Gill, I know what I’m doing. I would never hurt Maximillian.” Her tone sounded sincere. “Please, trust me.”
That was the problem. Gill still didn’t trust her.
The entire royal guard brigade seemed to be standing on his chest. He could barely breathe. Sophie and Maximillian meant more to Gill than life itself. “I—”
“Hold his muzzle and keep him steady.” No emotion was in her voice. “Got it?”
Surely, college and work at an animal hospital had only improved her skills with animals.
Gill nodded. He had to trust her.
He held Maximillian’s muzzle with one hand and kept his upper body steady with the other.
Please be okay.
