Page 69 of Ravenrose

Unprepared for his anger, and seeing as how I’m just making this up as I go, my voice comes out in stutters as opposed to my usual cool indifference. “I—I just…” My eyes flick past his shoulder, at Nadia and her two children. Gods, I didn’t think this through.

“You just what?” Ayer growls, and I feel the danger growing.

His hand clamps down on my wrist in a bruising grip, tightening—right over the abused skin.

Pain flares, and I can’t help but wince, though I don’t move, and I don’t make a sound, holding in my whimper and planting my feet to prevent him from dragging me off.

I inhale deeply, strengthening my resolve as I make my decision. “I—” My voice drops, softer now. “I thought I could help…” I avert my gaze, staring down at the ground, submissive to him for the first time. I need to help them. I’m not even sure I can, not with his stars-blasted rune on my wrist, but… I need him to at least let me try.

“Why?” he asks, and I try not to be insulted by the sheer look of surprise and suspicion in his eyes.

Why?

Revealing my gift or abilities to him is not an option. My brain races for an alternative, thinking quickly. “There are herbs.” My words tumble over each other as I rush them out. “A—A tonic I know.” Testing him, I inch slightly closer, toward the baby, allowing real desperation and urgency into my eyes. I can’t just stand by and let this baby die, not when there’s a possibility I could save her. “If I could just take a look⁠—”

“No.” Ayer shakes his head, his voice firm, yanking me back harshly with the punishing grip he has on my wrist.

The raw skin under his hand feels as though he set it on fire, and I bite my lip, steeling myself against the pain while digging my heels in, fighting his hold, which only serves to worsen the burn.

“Please.” My voice breaks, my chest constricting painfully. If he doesn’t let me try…

I twist in his grip, my eyes darting to find the mother’s instead.

“Please!” I call to her as Ayer tries harder to wrestle me away. Manhandling me back and nearly taking me off my feet in his efforts. It takes all of my strength to fend him off, and true desperation carries through every word. “I think I can help! I just— I need to hold her. Examine her,” I correct. “Just for a moment. Please!”

The mother opens her mouth, uncertainty shining in her tear-filled eyes along with confusion at what’s happening. But Ayer cuts in.

“I said no.”

He hauls me back, succeeding in dragging me toward his horse this time, but I’m near frantic now. Ayer lets out a curse right before his arm wraps around my waist like a vise, and he hauls me up, kicking and crying.

“No, please!” I’m shouting now. “That baby will be dead in a day if we do nothing!”

Ayer drops me roughly back to my feet, spinning me around to face him. One arm still locked around me, he is absolutely fuming, while the other arm lifts.

Instinct takes over, and my mouth snaps shut. I throw up my hands, quickly turning my face away, bracing for the hit I know is coming.

Seconds pass.

And nothing.

The hit never comes.

Cautiously, I turn slowly back to face him, my hands still raised to block any incoming blows, peeking through half-lidded eyes.

He’s just staring at me. His mouth turned down in a frown. His eyes are furious.

“No, wait— It’s okay.”

We both still. The soft voice turning both our heads.

Nadia stands a few feet away. Her eyes are on me when she nods solemnly, offering me the small bundle in her arms.

I hold my breath, my gaze sliding over to Ayer, waiting to see how he responds.

“If she thinks she can help, I don’t see the harm in letting her have a look.” Nadia’s eyes flick between Ayer and me. “Please?”

A long stretch of silence follows before Ayer’s eyes drop back to meet mine. I’m suddenly all too aware of how close we are—how tight his grip is on my waist.