I lost my footing when I stepped on my long skirt and fell forward. With horror, I watched the wild boar closing in on me as I stayed on the ground, unable to defend myself. I just stared at the beast, almost hypnotized.
Suddenly, the man on the horse pulled a hard stop, the horse’s feet pawed the air, moving the boar away. The feral animal did not want to surrender, but the massive hooves of Denis’s horse made it change its mind and it took off, back to the foot of the mountain.
The young man jumped to the ground and approached me in two long strides. I closed my eyes, feeling exceedingly stupid. My cheeks were wet with tears, my whole body was shaking.
“Are you alright?” Denis asked.
I nodded, hiding my eyes. There was not a single fightingbone in my body. I hated that I could not defend myself. I was just happy that it was over.
“It’s the mating season. Wildlife is acting up. You should be more careful.” He touched my cheek, carefully wiping my tears.
Another sound startled me, and I watched a dragon, black as night, land just a couple of feet away. My mouth hung open when I saw Tynan changing into his human form almost in one fluid motion. Then his arms reached out and grabbed Denis’s neck as he shoved him away from me.
“What’s your problem?” Denis shouted, breaking free from his grip.
“What did he do?” Tynan only looked at me.
I could plainly see the wildfire in his eyes. His flying jacket was missing, his bare chest rose and fell while his hands clenched into fists.
“It was not... it-it was a wild boar,” I stuttered.
“Is that so?” He crouched beside me ignoring Denis. “Are you hurt, princess?”
“Don’t call me that,” I whispered, still shivering.
“Thank you for helping her. I’ll take it from here.” Tynan stood up and turned to look at Denis.
“Will you be alright?” Denis asked, watching me.
He peered at Tynan, his eyes bore an expression of weariness and extreme frustration.
“Thank you. I’ll be fine.” I got up fully intending to appear cheerful.
Denis gave me a last parting look, before walking back to his horse.
“Prick,” Tynan muttered, watching the young man galloping away.
“Why are you so rude to him?” I asked.
“Am I?”
“Yes. He helped me. If not for him, I don’t know what that thing would have done to me,” I whispered, still shaking.
“Come on. I’ll get you home.” Tynan wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
“Where’s your shirt?”
“I did not have time to dress when I heard you,” Tynan said.
“Were you nearby?” I glanced at his strong profile.
“No. I was on the other side of the valley,”
“How could you...? It doesn’t matter. I still think you could have been nicer to Denis,” I said.
“Why? Do you like him?”
“He’s nice. He saved me.” I looked down at my feet.
