Theron nodded and reached for me. Ignoring the strange blue glow, I took his hand, expecting his magic to burn me. Instead, it felt pleasantly cool, like pressing ice to a scorching burn. He hoisted me up just as a soldier raced toward us, sword drawn.
I raised my dagger, but Theron was quicker. He ducked to avoid the man’s strike, then punched him in the nose. Theron hooked his foot under the soldier’s leg, bringing the man crashing to his knees. In seconds, Theron had theguard’s blade in hand and had plunged it into the man’s neck. Then he turned back to face me as if this kill had been as ordinary as breathing.
And in that moment, I reminded myself he was a killer. But right now, he was on my side.
Bile crept up my throat, but I swallowed it down, knowing the dying man had been about to impale a child with that very sword. I nodded at Theron, and together, we hurried toward the line of children, who were still watching the battle in shock and amazement.
“Come on!” I cried, urging the children forward. “Come with me!”
The doe-eyed girl I’d taken the hit for scrambled forward, hanging on to my arm as if I were a lifeline. The other children followed suit, rushing to our sides.
“This way,” Theron urged, his tone surprisingly gentle as he guided them down the street. I had to trust he knew a safe place to take them. I threw a glance over my shoulder to ensure we weren’t being followed. Vikros’s wound was still bleeding, but he was able to aim a kick at Frisk. The fox easily dodged it with a snicker. Mauro slammed his hooves into the chest of a soldier. Kendra shot a burst of ice at another. Several birds flitted around the soldiers’ faces, taunting them.
It would have been hilarious if I hadn’t been worried for the animals’ safety. But I didn’t have time; the human children needed to get out before they were killed in the crossfire.
I hurried after Theron—who had two children in tow—our footsteps light and quick. With each movement, something tugged at the wound in my chest, like stitches pullingfree. Was Theron’s magic wearing off? How long did I have before I started to bleed out again?
“In here,” Theron said, throwing open the door to a four-story building. The children rushed inside without argument, but I hesitated, shooting him a curious look.
“What is this place? Is it safe?”
He nodded. “It’s an inn. I’m well acquainted with the owner. He’ll keep the children safe.”
When I narrowed my eyes at him, he groaned. “Come on, princess. You have to trust me on this.”
“I don’t have to do anything,” I said with a sniff, shoving past him and into the building.
“You are infuriating,” Theron muttered as he slammed the door shut, then called out, “Derek!”
A bald, portly fae man with a huge black mustache appeared, then faltered as he took in me, Theron, and the ten children we’d brought with us. He scratched at his shiny scalp. “Ah… Harlan. What is this?”
“The queen’s soldiers were causing trouble,” Theron said shortly. “These little ones are in danger. Can you look after them?”
Derek straightened, his eyes darkening with a lethal gleam that almost matched Theron’s. “Of course.” He turned to the children. “Come with me, little ones. I have a nice, comfortable room you lot can have. It’s got extra locks for your security. I’ll close up shop and wait with you in there myself.”
A few children nodded eagerly. One ran up to Derek and wrapped her arms around his legs, sobbing into his trousers. Derek patted her head awkwardly and led the children up the stairs. I watched them go, then turned to Theron.
“How did you know he would help? He’s fae.”
“Not all fae despise humans,” Theron said softly, his voice low. Fire still burned in his gaze, but his tone was gentle.
Only then did I realize we stood alone in the lobby of the inn. I drew closer to him, thinking of how he had riskedeverythingto save me, to save those children.
“Theron,” I whispered, gazing up at him as my confused thoughts whirled with awe and gratitude. “You could have just let me die.” I swallowed hard. “My death would have nullified our bargains.”
A pained expression crossed his face. “No,” he said softly, raising a hand to run his knuckle along my cheek. “I couldn’t let you die, Eira.”
I stared at him, suppressing a shiver of delight at the gentleness of his touch. Though I’d seen him kill a man, and I knew he’d done far worse, I delighted in his skin against mine. A rush of warmth coiled low in my belly, igniting something new and frightening.
I wanted him to touchmoreof me.
I leaned forward, but something ripped violently within my body, and blood seeped out from my wound. A bout of dizziness washed over me, and I swayed into Theron’s arms. He caught me against his chest, his warm body a comforting support as I struggled to regain my balance.
“Eira?” His panicked voice was the last thing I heard before darkness took me.
After ensuringDerek had the children securely hidden, I lifted Eira into my arms. I didn’t know how the strange enchantment around her injury had broken, but if I didn’t do something quickly, she would die.
I couldn’t let that happen.
