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No one shot at him. No enemy magic sought him out. The eerie silence was interrupted only by a soft rustle of wind fluttering the leaves.

No other mortal would dare stand alone in the wide open before an army who wished him dead. Not even an immortal would do that. Her heart felt like it was lodged in her throat. Her mate was a free target for anyone.

Slowly, she crept out from the cover of trees. If he was brave enough to do that, she could at least stand by his side.

In a cloud of gray smoke, he vanished, then a large, warm hand pressed into her low back. She jumped and turned right into Hel’s arms. “Hel,” she breathed and melted into his chest. “You reckless fool.”

“It’s time to go.” His deep voice penetrated to her very bones, and then they were moving briskly down the path back to the portal. He didn’t push her into a run, nor did he teleport them to get there faster. It was almost as if he was taunting Pricilla to do something.

“That was stupid to stand out in the open,” she snapped, angry that he put himself in danger like that. “Anyone could have taken a shot at you. No, hundreds could have.Shit, thousands. We don’t know how many archers she has, how many dragons she could have sent. We don’t know anything!”

“I’m a little disappointed they didn’t. But that tells me they’re afraid.”

“Did you stop him before he could tell?”

He looked down at her with an arched brow. “His head is outside the wall, not inside it, love.”

Something warm and wet smeared across her palm. She pulled her hand from Hel’s to find it smeared with a deep crimson. “Are you bleeding? Or is it… his?” She quickly checked herself to make sure it wasn’t hers somehow.

“A bit of both, no doubt.” His cheeks were flushed a light pink, and sweat glistened on his brow but otherwise he appeared normal. His black cloak could easily hide an injury though. The stone portal surrounded by bright pink and white peonies and a waist-height picket fence came into view. “You first.” He gestured as it hummed to life. She pressed her hand against the iridescent white and pink marble stone and silently told it where to send her.

A moment later she stood in the quiet unnamed forest and whirled on Hel. The swirling pool snapped shut behind him. “Let me look at you.”

“I’m fine. I can heal myself, remember?”

“He hurt you? Where?”

“Henickedme,” Hel drawled, and strutted past her. “The bastard was fast and invisible. I just so happen to be able to be those things too.”

She quickly matched his long strides, though she had to take twice as many steps to keep up. “We need to take care of this Varlett problem.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of that. I’m going to gut that bitch as soon as I get the chance, but for now, she and I are going to have a little chat.”

“She’ll probably enjoy getting a rise out of you knowing you can’t do anything about it. We should spend our time looking for a way to break the link, not arguing with her.”

He took her hand and pulled her into him. Dark-red eyes, so dark they were almost black seemed to penetrate her thoughts. Maybe he was sliding into her mind. She was wide open to him. He pressed his forehead to hers and let out a long breath. “I shouldn’t have left you,” he said softly. “I’m sorry.”

She laid her head against his chest and listened to the steadydrum drum drumof his heart. “There is nothing to apologize for. I’m fine.”

He slid his hand up her neck and into the back of her hair. The feel of his fingers gliding along her skin raised goosebumps. “It was too close. That scared me. Gods, you terrify me.”

“Iterrify you?” she asked, puzzled.

“Yes. You’re as strong as the ancient mountains and as delicate as a flower. You could destroy an army if you wanted but it would only take one little dagger in the right spot to lose you. So yes, you terrify me, Valeen.” His fingers caressed alongher spine. “After today’s events I won’t be leaving your side for a while.”

“I’ll be fine. I don’t need a bodyguard anymore.”

“It’s not that I think you’re incapable, Val, but do you agree you’re safer with me?”

“Well, yes, but?—”

“Just ‘yes’.” He brought her knuckles to his lips.

She pulled her hand out of his grasp and started walking. “You know I don’t like to be told what to do.”

“Which is exactly why I said I wouldn’t be leaving your side, not that you wouldn’t be leaving mine.”

She glared over at him. He stared back.Remember when I threw you over my shoulder and put you in your room?he said.