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They were in the southernmost part of Thiorheil. This part of the country was the most unexplored. Small towns and villages were spread throughout the southern parts of the country. But they were few and far between.
Hammer had a map that would lead him to a relatively safe town. But they’d probably have to walk for several days. He hoped they would make it. Thiorheil was well known for its natural resources. However, he didn’t think Charlie could survive on wild fruit alone.
And he did not want her to either. Right then, he wanted his mate to have the most comfortable experience. But he could not offer her that.
You have to stop thinking of her as your mate. All Charlie was to him was his ticket out of imprisonment.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
He could not allow himself to become attached. No matter how much he wanted to.
Hammer had shown Charlie how to set her flammable cloth alight. As they walked farther into the wilderness of Thiorheil, he thought they would need it soon.
Those were the only tools they had to ward off threats right then.
He still wasn’t healing, and he could not leave Charlie defenseless. She was his only ticket out of the Supermax. Getting her home safely was the only way he’d get his hands on Ajmal.
Hammer had identified where they were in Thiorheil … the southernmost part of the country. He had grown up in western Thiorheil and had lived and worked in the north.
Southern Thiorheil was an unknown territory, not only to Hammer but to most of its citizens.
It was like stepping into a different country. They had come across several new and different plants. They had passed several different trees, totally unknown to him.
“Wow,” came from Charlie, and Hammer stopped. He turned to her with slight difficulty. Stabbing pains were shooting through his arm.
“These are so beautiful.” She had stopped and was bending down, inspecting bright shrubbery.
Hammer couldn’t help but stare at her. She had removed the large jacket, and her shirt had ridden up. Now, the smooth expanse of her lower back was revealed.
Strands of her chocolate brown hair had escaped a loose bun. Sweat trailed deliciously down her back. He turned stiffly away from her. Right then, dozens of images of Charlie flashed through his mind. Images of her beneath him and sweaty. Images of her perfect back arching.
He shook his head violently and cleared his throat. A rustling behind him told him she was following him.
They walked in silence for another few feet when more sharp pains stung Hammer’s arm.
He growled under his breath as he pulled off his shirt. His skin prickled as it was exposed to the heat of the day. The metallic, salty fragrance of fresh blood bubbled beneath the bandage.
A sharp intake of breath from Charlie told him that she had witnessed the same thing. His bandage was completely soaked, and blood dripped through it.
Above them came the cry of several vultures circling.
“Fuck off!” Hammer shouted up at them. They took off, spooked.
“You need to get that seen!” The crack in Charlie’s voice betrayed her stress.
“By whom?” Hammer retorted. “I don’t see any doctors around, do you?”
“I told you I could help you ….”
“I’m a dragon shifter, not a human. You have no idea how to treat me. I’ll probably start healing soon.”
“There are literal vultures circling,” Charlie shot back, her voice hot with anger. “Don’t you think that’s some indication that they sense death?”
“It might not be my death, though.” He spoke more gently, a peace offering.
Then, ripping the sleeve off his shirt, he created a tourniquet.
“Tie this off,” he grunted at her, and she complied. Her expression was still stony, but her hands remained soft on his skin.
