“So is his brother.”
I sigh. “Yes, they’re both very handsome.”
“I do not envy the position you are in,” she says.
I can’t help but smile. “Me either, Brynn. Me either.”
Asmo returns with a large bowl of cool water, just as instructed. He places the bowl on the marble table in front of the couch, then sits back down beside me.
“Thank you,” she says to him. “We’re going to soak the burn in the water for about fifteen minutes. This will help it feel better. While you soak the burn, I’m going to step away and check on Prince Marik.”
I nod and say, “Got it. Leave in water until you tell me to take it out.” I place my hand and forearm into the cool water. Immediately, I feel the pain start to abate.
Asmo eyes me and says, “You okay?”
“It feels a little better. Still hurts, but not as much.” I glance at Marik on the couch. “You worried about him?”
He shakes his head and says, “Nah. He’ll be fine. It’s not the first time we’ve seen these things.”
I tilt my head. “I’ve never heard of them. I didn’t even know creatures like that existed in our world.”
“They don’t. Not really. They used to, centuries ago, but we killed them all. They’re created and controlled by witches using dark magic.”
“How did you know about them?” I ask.
“Part of my training,” is all he says. I don’t press.
“Thank you, Asmo. You came for me. I was so scared,” I say softly.
“You would have been fine,” he grumbles.
“I’ve never been in a situation like that. I thought I was going to die. I’ve been very blessed growing up the way that I did. When that…when that thing turned, and I saw her eyes, I tried to get away, but she wouldn’t let go. And the terror I felt…I’ve never felt that. I froze. All I could think to do was scream. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if you didn’t hear me and come.” I feel tears spring to my eyes, but I’m mostly frustrated by my incompetence at protecting myself.
He places a hand to my cheek, and I look at him. His eyes bore into mine. “It’s okay to be scared, Mae. It’s okay to be terrified. It’s what you do when you’re scared that counts, and you were brave in the face of fear. You helped me save my brother. I should be thanking you, princess.”
I swallow hard and nod, a tear escaping. I reach to wipe it, but Asmo swipes it away with a brush of his thumb.
“Sorry. I cry when I get frustrated, and I feel frustrated that I couldn’t protect myself,” I admit.
He scoffs. “You can train for that. That’s the easy part. The hard part is moving forward when you’re terrified. You can’t train for that. That’s in here.” He taps the center of my chest. “That’s not something you can teach. You’ll be fine, Mae.”
I nod, still looking at him, his hand rough against my cheek. “Thanks, Asmo.”
“Quit thanking me,” he says, but he’s smiling that rare, beautiful smile. His entire face changes when he smiles, his hard demeanor softened with the crinkle of his eyes.
“Mae!”
Asmo removes his hand so quickly that I feel a little insulted. I turn. Ivan and Koa walk toward me, Koa looking like he’s restraining himself from running.
“I’m fine, I promise. Asmo saved me,” I say quickly.
Koa glances at Asmo and says, “Thanks, man. I’m sorry to hear about your brother. He’ll be okay?”
Asmo stands. He’s barely taller than Koa, but the anger brimming from Asmo makes it feel like he’s towering over him. “He’ll be fine. Where were you?” he demands in a low voice.
Koa looks taken aback. “Excuse me?”
“Didn’t this happen onyourdate? Wherewereyou?” he repeats.
