Ribbon croaked loudly, offended that I dared to move.
Hanna placed a hand on my sternum. “Savla. I’m okay.”
Her touch and her voice stilled me more than anything else in the world could have. The bond thrummed warm and steady through my chest and veins. I had a moment to wonder if this was how my brothers felt all the time. And if it was, how did they survive being separated from their mates?
Gods help me.
I melted under her palm.
“You should rest,” I said anyway, clearing my throat to regain some level of sanity. “Your body went through too much.”
“And you should stop trying to pretend you didn’t sit in this room all night holding my hand.”
Ribbon croaked in agreement.I scowled at them both.
“I didn’t hold it theentirenight,” I denied.
Hanna looked down where our fingers were still intertwined.I coughed.
“Justmostlythe entire night.”
She smiled again—soft and blinding all at once. Then Ribbon flopped off us with the grace of a boulder rolling downhill. The sudden freedom of movement nearly flung me off the cot.
Hanna gasped in laughter. “Careful!”
I regained my balance, glared at Ribbon, and offered Hanna my hand.
“Can you stand?” I asked, concerned for her.
She tried—and her knees buckled instantly. I caught her, her breath hitching as I wrapped my arms around her.
My hands landed on her waist, steadying her. Her hands were pressed against my chest, and her face was inches from mine. Everything inside me stilled.
“Savla…” she whispered, voice shaking—not from weakness this time, but from something else entirely.
I swallowed hard. “I’ve got you,” I murmured.
Her soulful eyes met mine. “I know,” she whispered.
She looked like she wanted to kiss me again and I probably looked like a male who’d let the world burn if she asked.But I cleared my throat and forced my rational brain to return.
“You’re not walking anywhere,” I told her.
Before she could argue, I lifted her into my arms.Her gasp brushed my neck, sending goosebumps down my back.
“Savla—!”
“You can barely stand,” I said, adjusting my grip. “You’re not going anywhere under your own strength.”
She buried her face against my collarbone in embarrassment, sending a shiver through my body.
“Everyone’s going to stare,” she murmured.
“They can stare,” I told her, trying to ignore everything that was happening to my body against my wishes.
She looked up again. “That doesn’t embarrass you?”
“They can stare,” I repeated, voice rougher than intended. “Because you’re mine to protect and I’m not giving up that privilege for anything.”
