Page 79 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

He doesn’t stir. Lifting my finger to under his nose, I feel the slightest breath.

Thank the Gods.A breath is better than nothing.

His forehead is clammy and his eyes roll behind his eyelids, as if in pain. Now what? Do I leave him or drag him?

It’s not worth an argument. He needs help. He almost died for me, the least I can do is run down to Tay and bring him back with the others to save him.

Standing, a growl releases from his lips. It’s soft, but deadly so, the sound of a beast in slumber. The hair on my nape rises and I freeze, pulse jumping.

Blinking, Kaden’s eyes open, pure darkness staring back at me as fear wells up my throat. He looks deranged and haunted, and I know, this is no longer the heir who kissed me.

My heart pounds in my chest, as I shift, hand to my dagger.

Sitting up, his nostrils flare as the fangs grow, curving over his lips and chin. They’re wicked and sharp, something better fit inside the mouth of a monster than a Fae.

How is that possible?

Tilting his head, he no longer resembles the heir but a primal beast, calculating how to get me—his prey. His whole body seems to enlargen, hands growing long as black nails sharpen. Fine black hair covers his skin as his ears grow long to his skull.

Is this what he truly is? Not a Fae, not a male, but a beast trapped inside his skin?

His moves, his senses, everything that I’ve seen and learned about him make sense. How he could smell my lies, how he could hear the Fury from so far away.

Good gods above.

Jumping to my feet, I edge toward the cliff, keeping the heir in front of me, pulling my dagger. He needs to be healed and I’ll make sure that happens—but I won’t be his next meal either.

I wonder if this is why his siblings had pulled their blades after the Skrull attack? Was he fighting the beast then, too?

Regardless, staying here with a hungry monster is not ideal. Running away, even less so.

“Kaden.” He turns, following me, getting slowly to his feet. “You’ve been injured and lost a lot of blood. I’m going to lead you to Taylay for mending. Can you do that?”

He steps forward and I jump back, fear wedging between my ribs like an icicle. Will he follow, or will he attack?

“Just because you kissed me, doesn’t mean I’ll let you eat me,” I warn him. “I’m going to get you help.”

Swallowing, I move closer to the path with slow steps, so as not to alarm him. His eyes track me, so dark the sun doesn’t penetrate them.

This will be easy. Simple.

Right.

“Please, Kaden,” I whisper, “Don’t make me kill you.” My fingers are still red but I know it won’t react to him. My magic likes him for some reason. “Or if you kill me, I swear, I’ll return fromSeti’sHellto haunt you.”

Pushing off my heel, I dart down the path, Kaden hurling himself after me. Pebbles shake as we run, our steps thundering along the steep path without pause.

His breath skims my neck as we make our first turn and he slams into the side, unable to right himself. He growls, claws scratching the rock as if to stop from falling off the side.

Gods, please don’t let me die.

Jumping over scattered rocks, I make the second turn, darting around larger boulders. The heir is right behind me, howling like a wolf on the chase. Panic floods my limbs as I push harder, faster, my heart pounding in my ears.

Adrenaline bursts in my chest and I run, seeing the final turn ahead.

Leaping around it, my heels skid over the edge. Terror claws at my throat, but Itwist, keeping my body facing forward instead of back. Kaden slams into the side, sending debris ricocheting over the side and I throw myself forward to keep away.

It sounds like a terribly long drop.