Page 191 of Ashborne: Defiance

‘Are you shitting me?!’ I leaned up enough for her to see I was fully clothed. My feelings must have shown on my face, because Bren let go of the ladder and held her palms up, making soothing gestures.

‘Tell her to get out of here, Kham. If she wakes Grace up, I swear—’

‘She apologizes, but says it had to be asked. She will leave you now.’

Bren started slowly down the ladder again, and I took a deep breath—then realized.

‘You tell her she’s not to speak to anyone about this until we’ve had a chance to speak. Make it clear how important it is. Grace cannot be asked questions about this, and I can’t move right now.’

There were rustlings in the straw below, but Kham returned a moment later. ‘She’ll remain quiet for now, but she equally emphasizes that you have some explaining to do.’

I swore silently. ‘Yes, yes. Just make sure she’s patient.’

‘She is not.’

I wanted to punch something. The tension in my chest ratcheted up. I knew what she’d think. Knew what she thought she was seeing. And it was so fucking unfair when I’d stayed so far away from Grace…

‘Calm yourself. You have done the right thing this night,’ Kham sent solemnly. ‘The rest is unimportant by comparison.’

I knew he was right. But it still burned in my gullet. Thankfully, I was so exhausted, I was soon back asleep again, as well, holding Grace tightly to me, so I’d know if she so much as twitched.

No one would get close enough to take her away without my knowledge.

No one.

66. Not Alone

~ GRACE ~

Awareness came slowly. Chest tight. Eyes aching. Stomach sick and a pit of dread yawning, demanding attention.

I slowly remembered the nightmares—more than one. Always of running in the dark, of my hands covered in blood, of terrible, nameless things happening in the shadows behind me. And every time, I screamed for Voski. And every time, he appeared from nowhere to drag me to safety.

I was very warm. The blankets heavy and breath on my neck, fluttering in my hair.

I blinked my aching eyes open. I was lying on my side, so could see the room and the ladder leading down the stable, all beginning to glow with the warm spears of light through the slats from the aisles below.

I didn’t move or speak, but there was a weight on my side. My stinging eyes caught on the strong, masculine hand resting on the covers in front of me.

Voski.

I inhaled sharply, but didn’t move.

His arm was wrapped around me, his large hand rested on the bed in front of me. His body warmed me from neck to knees. And even though the memories of the night before hadn’t left me, even though something inside me still felt horribly fragile, having him there soothed an ache I’d carried since the day Koa chose me.

Pushing away dark thoughts, I closed my eyes and sank into the curve of his chest, inhaling the rugged scent of cedar and salt and man. My heart raced.

I’d considered what it would feel like the first time I woke up in the arms of a man. Yet, in my mind, that moment had always been fascinating, but awkward and uncertain. It had never looked like this. It never felt soft. And so, so safe.

My eyes pinched, but I pushed the urge for tears away. There’d been enough of that last night.

Last night. Voski staring at me across the table. His dark eyes intent.

Voski leaving.

The alleyway, and that kiss…

And then it all went wrong. And instead of fleeing, instead of dismissing me, he’d held me. He’d helped. I’d thrown myself into his chest and sobbed like a baby, and he just held me. And whispered to me. And washed me and oh, no, no, no, no!