Page 173 of Of Masks and Fury

While Gavelle staggered to his feet, Pherin launched herself at the dying beast, her jaws closing around what remained of its neck. She tore it free, flinging the severed head away before turning back to us.

Trew shoved the body off him, rolling to his knees. His breathing came harsh and ragged. He was hurt. Bleeding. And he hadn't stopped moving.

“Trew!”

“I’m alright.” But blood pooled around his hand pressed against his belly. He staggered to his feet. “Are you hurt?”

“Me? You just?—”

“Are you hurt?” The command in his voice cut through my panic.

“No.” My hands shook. “I’m not hurt.”

King wounded,Pherin shouted in my mind.Broken!

Blood soaked through his tunic, spreading in an ever-widening stain that made my hands shake.

“Let me see,” I whispered, already reaching for the torn leather.

His hand caught my wrist, his grip weak but insistent. “You first. I need to know you’re not wounded.”

“I’m fine.” I pressed closer, until our foreheads touched, until I could feel his ragged breath against my lips. “But you’re bleeding. You’re hurt because you protected me. I can’t lose you.”

His golden eyes blazed.

“Never,” he rasped. “I’d die a thousand times before I let anything touch you.” The possessive certainty in his voice sent heat spiraling through me despite the horror of the moment. He was mine. This beautiful, broken, impossibly brave man was mine, and I was never letting him go.

His legs buckled.

With a groan, I caught him, wrapping my arms around him, taking him down to the ground.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

ISI

My guttural sob rang out, catching our friends’ attention.

“Derren!” Lexie’s voice cut through the night. “Kerralyn, to the king. Now.”

Guard, guard, please,I sent to Pherin.

Will.

Footsteps pounded toward us, joining me where I knelt on the ground beside Trew.

Breathing hard, Kerralyn opened her pack, pulling out bandages and salves.

“Let me see.” She reached for his tunic, but he caught her wrist.

“Isi first.” His golden eyes found mine, fierce despite the pain etched into his features. “Check her. Make sure she’s alright.”

“I told you I’m fine.” I grabbed his face between my palms, forcing him to look at me. “Stop trying to protect me when you’re bleeding out.”

“Never going to stop.” His mouth curved into something that might’ve been a smile. I would’ve trusted it if his skin wasn’t so pale. “Get used to it, Minx.”

“Stubborn ass.” My voice broke on the words.

Kerralyn shoved his tunic up, revealing four deep gashes across his belly. The wounds bled sluggishly, the edges ragged where claws had torn through his skin.