Family.
A tear slid down her cheek. “I need to be with Xaydin.”
“Xaydin needs to know you’re safe. The worst thing you could do is endanger his heart.”
“I don’t understand.”
Shaking his head, Masakage took her to the captain’s chambers and placed her on the small bed.
He pulled the cloak back to see the wound that was high on her ribs, almost to her shoulder. The moment he saw it, he hissed. “That has to hurt.”
“I’ve had worse, but it’s a contender.”
With a laugh, he used his powers to stop the bleeding.
When he went to do more, she stopped him. “Go to Xaydin and keep him safe.”
“He wants me with you.”
She put her hand on his. “I promise I’ll stay right here. But I need you to take care ofmyheart. Please, Masakage. He’s wounded, too. Bring him back to me in one piece and breathing.”
Hesitation darkened his eyes before he nodded. “Remember, it’s my life in your hands. Don’t get up! Last thing I need is an ass-whipping from a pissed off troll.”
She laughed, then grimaced as he conjured clothes for her and then left.
Xaydin had come for her. She still couldn’t believe it. No one had ever done that for her before.
This was the most wonderful moment of her entire life.
Sighing, she pulled his cloak tighter about her and inhaled his masculine scent. Warmth spread through her.
She’d rather be wrapped in his arms, but this was a close second. Happier than she’d ever been, she pulled her clothes to her and dressed.
Just as she secured the last buckle on her jerkin, she heard someone walking across the deck above her.
Some of the Marauders must have returned. She hoped that meant they’d won the fight.
As she pulled the cloak back around her, the door to the cabin opened.
And Meara stepped in.
20
Shock riveted Gisela to the floor as she stared at the last person she’d ever expected to see. Indeed, the dead Garyn would have been less stunning had he appeared in her bed.
Gisela moved to confront the queen. Even if her legs were unsteady.
Dressed in black leather armor, her mother was as regal as always. Right down to that imperious sneer on her beautiful face.
“I knew this day would come. From the moment I birthed you and failed to cut your throat. I knew I’d regret it.”
“Why didn’t you kill me, Mother? Really. What was the point of allowing me to live?”
Something wistful filled her eyes. If Gisela didn’t know better, she’d swear it was regret.
But Meara didn’t answer her question. She closed the gap between them so that she could glare down at Gisela. “You had one task. One. Protect theaþaswerewith my contract on him. How hard could that be?”
Gisela wanted to laugh at her naive question. How hard, indeed…
