AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With the burning of the iron and her illness, she must be absolutely miserable right now.
Thanks to my good hearing, I catch a few whispers among the men about her disheveled appearance and, in their words, homely looks.
I growl loud enough for them to know I’m angry at their comments.
Hannah’s beautiful. By fae standards, she might be considered plain, but I’ve seen enough humans to know she’s far above average for her kind.
“Who might you be?” Zetipher asks.
“Hannah. I’m Ellister’s fated mate.”
A few chortles and scoffs follow. “Are you being facetious?”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“Well, well. What a surprise. Can you believe it?” Zetipher’s tone is mocking as he speaks to his men. “Ellister found himself a little human and brought her to our world. What am I to do now?”
His question is rhetorical, but Hannah answers for him anyway. “Take me with you.”
Silence.
He might refuse. I hope he does. He doesn’t need a sickly person in tow. Humans are needier, more difficult to care for. Most importantly, easily killed. If he takes her with us, he’ll be responsible for keeping her alive.
Unfortunately, Hannah’s persistence prevails. “Listen, Ellister will be more likely to comply if I’m with him.”
A chill runs through me at her correct implication. She didn’t come right out and say it, but she basically offered herself as a bargaining chip. They could use her against me, and they will.
With a sigh, Zetipher agrees and orders the men to load her up into the wagon.
The bolt unlocks, and the door opens, letting in the daylight and revealing the sight of my wonderful mate. There are tears in her eyes when she sees me lying bound and wounded on the floor.
“In,” someone orders, and Hannah winces as she struggles to hoist herself onto the platform.
Another one pipes up, “Should we shackle her?”
“What would be the point? She’s harmless.”
“She does look quite frail, but what if she attacks us? She could be stronger than she looks.”
“Quit your bickering,” Zetipher interferes with his men. “Look at her. She can barely make it into the wagon on her own. She’s too weak to do any real damage.”
I almost laugh at his statement. No, Hannah couldn’t overpower any of these men in the physical sense, but she’s smart.
Well, she’s smart most of the time. This little default in judgement is unlike her, and I glare angrily as she crawls in next to me.
“Why?” I demand. “Silly woman. You should’ve stayed hidden.”
She doesn’t respond. Maybe she doesn’t have a good answer. Her mind could be clouded by the illness, the secondary iron burning, and the stress of recent events.
Lying down, she puts her face just inches from mine. By her tight expression, I can tell she’s hurting worse than she ever has before.
“Touch me,” I cave, wanting to give her any relief I can.
Poking a finger through the iron mesh, she hooks a finger with mine. She closes her eyes and sighs.
I feel better immediately. I still burn all over, but Hannah’s love and gratefulness shine through our bond like a soothing balm.
And I’m suddenly glad she’s here. Although there would’ve been benefits to her staying behind—namely, her safety from these men and the whims of the king—being together is better for me.
