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If I had known there was a timeframe, I would have eaten after they left.She let out a groan and Glenda caught her when her partially numb leg gave out.All I can do is make sure they help me get to Nathair.

Once she was with him, she would be safe.

When the gates to the village opened, Nathair stuck his snout between the folds of his tail. He flicked his tongue forward, tasting who approached, and gave an irritated, yet quiet hiss.

More soldiers.But no Anzúli this time.

He made sure they weren’t attempting to leave. Until his little female was returned to the security he offered her, no one was allowed to leave. Until she was utterly safe in his arms, every passing moment they courted their deaths by making him wait.

It had been a day since the Anzúli leader had approached him. He was growing more frustrated with every hour that went by, and no one had deigned to give him more information.

She was alive and recovering; that’s all he knew.

The two soldiers approached him, leather creaking as their weapons thumped against their sides.

He retracted his head so he could pop out the top of his coil and face them.

He examined their dull expressions, both with cleanly shaved faces. Both wore a metal breastplate and hide armour, and appeared to be well composed. Their scents were new to him, asif they were drawing straws or daring each other to see who was courageous enough to face the ‘Duskwalker.’

Nathair played nice – there was little other choice.

Are these two soldiers or bandits?Right now, everyone was suspicious to Nathair.

His orbs shifted red the closer they came until they were directly before him. He waited for them to speak.

“We’ve been advised by the mayor to ask you to leave,” the one on the right stated, placing his hand on the pommel of his sword.

Nathair gave his usual response: a rolling, growling, low hiss.

“You won’t let anyone leave to obtain supplies, and there are sick people here. You’ve been here for three days. At this point, we’re going to start needing food.”

Nathair gave a small chuckle and was purposeful with his sniffs.I smell plenty of food coming from your town, human.Lots of animals, and smokes with herbs on the wind.

Folding his arms across his broad humanoid chest, he settled back on his tail. Nathair tilted his head, waiting for a better excuse.

The other soldier shot his companion a ponderous look. “Look. We appreciate you bringing the lass here, but you’re frightening everyone. The children are terrified, the women refuse to leave their homes. You won’t let men leave to chop firewood, and you’re essentially choking the village of necessities.”

Nathair shrugged before pointing to the town.

“We won’t give you the girl, Duskwalker,” the man to the right firmly stated.

Just as he was about to growl in response, the left said, “She’s asked for you to leave.”

That immediately quietened him.Linh asked for me to leave?

Agitated, his gestures were jarred and sharp as he signed, “She’s awake? Why did no one tell me?”

How long had he been sitting out here patiently while his female was awake?! It was concerning that she hadn’t come out here, especially since it was likely she knew he was here... waiting for her.

“Did you not hear us?” the one on the right asked, his tone growing deep with annoyance. “She’s asked for you to leave. She doesn’t want you here, doesn’t need your help. She doesn’t want to go back to whatever hovel it is you call a home.”

Nathair raised his hands, but the left stated, “Now that she’s safe and with her family, she wants to stay with them. It’s ridiculous for you to keep waiting here for a woman who isn’t interested in being your friend.”

She’s more than my friend.She would, hopefully, be his bride. But is that what she told them? That they were nothing but platonic companions, even after everything they’d achieved together? Even after all the ways he’d savoured the little female?

“She’s scared you’ll hurt her again. She almost died because of your venom.” The one on the right tsked, only to fold his meaty arms across his chest. “You’re a Duskwalker. To us, to her, you’re no better than a Demon.”

“What if you do it again and the occult can’t save her?”