Her gaze flicked to the drop beneath her, panic flaring anew. “I can’t—”
“You can.” His tone brooked no argument. “Trust me.”
For a heartbeat, she hesitated.
Then her numb fingers gave out.
Her eyes widened at the sudden release..
Jakob caught her around the wrist as his chest slammed into the ground from the sudden weight he held. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, but he kept his iron-tight grip. He grunted and his boots slid inches toward the edge, but his dragon surged and lent him impossible strength.
With one smooth, brutal pull, Jakob hauled her up and away from the cliff. They both rolled backwards onto solid ground and she landed half on top of him.
They lay there for a second, tangled in snow and breath and shock.
Her hands were fisted in his coat with her knuckles pressed hard against his chest as if she wasn’t entirely convinced gravity had let go of her yet. Her body trembled and fine shivers ran through her despite the thick layers she wore. She clung to him like she would never let go.
Jakob pushed up on one elbow. “Easy,” he murmured. “You’re safe.”
She sucked in a shaky breath and looked up at him.
Too close.
Close enough that he could see the tiny freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and the faint redness at the tip from thecold. Close enough to feel her heartbeat flutter fast and wild against his ribs.
Something inside him ignited.
Heat unfurled low in his core and rolled up his spine. Jakob swallowed hard, forcing it down.
“Are you hurt?” he asked as he searched her face.
She blinked, as if coming back into herself. Slowly, she shook her head. “No. I don’t think so.” Her voice wavered, then steadied. “Just… scared.”
“That makes sense,” he said quietly.
A breathless laugh escaped her. “You’re telling me.”
He helped her sit up and kept a hand at her back until she was steady. She didn’t pull away. Didn’t even seem to notice his touch.
“Thank you,” she said, finally. “I mean, seriously. You just… came out of nowhere.”
Jakob huffed a soft, humorless breath. “I was nearby.”
An understatement that bordered on a lie. His senses had dragged him here like a hook under his ribs.
Before she could respond, voices drifted up the trail, carried on the wind.
“Mallory?” a woman called. “Mal! Where are you?”
Another voice, higher. “Maaa-lllllorrrr-eeeeeee!”
She looked startled and twisted toward the sound. “I’m here!” she called back, then winced and looked at Jakob. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“It’s fine,” he said.
She rose to her feet and tested them. He watched closely, ready to catch her again if she so much as swayed. She didn’t, but she didn’t step away from him either.
“Your friends?” Jakob asked, even though he already knew the answer.
