Page 39 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

Granted he would listen. His mood had been mercurial in the past few days.

“My lady.” He nodded.

Even the footman was restless, climbing up and down the driver’s box.

The tug in my chest came alive with a jolt. Alex had to be close. I searched around, but among the people walking down the pavement and passing carriages, I didn’t see him.

The bond gave another tug.

“I’ll be back soon. Stay here.” I followed the pull.

“My lady!” The footman started to chase me.

I held up my hand. “Don’t worry.”

The pull led me to a dark alley not far from the carriage but isolated. I slowed down my pace and released my power. A white glow came out of me, lighting the cobbles and the dirty walls. The noise of my boots thundered in the quiet alleyway.

“Alex?”

The bond urged me onwards. He was lying on his back in a corner, coughing and groaning.

I crouched next to him. “What happened?”

Silly question. The rogue had beaten him up. Blood oozed from his shoulder, neck, and arm. His face was red and puffy. Either his healing power didn’t work properly, or the wounds were worse than they looked.

I touched his chest. “The carriage is just around the corner. Can you walk?”

His fully obsidian eyes were set on me with predatory intent. “I think so.”

“I’ll help you.”

Touching him was still a novelty to me, and if I had to be honest, a little quiver of uneasiness went through me since our connection had changed. I slid my arm under his and pulled. He staggered to his feet, groaning.

Together, we slogged along the alley. He limped badly, leaning against me. My legs nearly gave in under his weight.

“Why aren’t you healing?”

He winced. “I need to feed.”

“So soon?”

He licked his lips, staring at my neck. “So soon.”

“It’s too soon. You must admit the deal with Cara has changed you. The sunlight bothers you. You need to feed more often, and your healing power has slowed down.”

“I don’t care about healing more slowly if it means that I can touch you.”

But I did care. “This isn’t normal. I’m worried. You’re losing control. Alex, you must see reason. The bond between us has changed. I know you can feel it, too.”

When we reached the high road, he disentangled from my arm and leant against the wall of a building. Under the light of a streetlamp, his wounds were revealed in all their gory detail. The count had bitten and cut every inch of his neck. I’d never seen Alex so badly injured.

He heaved a breath. “Go home. I’ll hail a hansom cab.”

“The carriage is over there.”

“No.” He didn’t offer further explanation. “You take the carriage. I’ll hail a cab.”

I didn’t insist. If he didn’t want me close, his control was about to snap.