Page 55 of The Hunter

Lacey gasped as Telok swept her off her feet and cradled her against his chest. He was striding forward before she could say another word, moving with speed and determination. She glanced over his shoulder to see the rest of the group following, with Elharat holding her backpack and spear.

When she looked back at Telok, his green eyes were on her.

“How long?” he asked.

Lacey cringed. “A…couple days?”

Telok growled, fury sparking in his eyes as his fingers curled around her, pricking her with their sharp claws. “Khan’ul Tavitahl, vishaax kir seldax. Days?”

Hunter, grant me patience.

She folded her arms across her chest as she shrunk within herself, staring at her lap. “I didn’t want to complain. I was already doing that with the heat, and I know that Cole and I are slowing you all down.”

“Vi’jatai… When you hurt, you tell me. Even small hurts.” He caught her chin in his powerful fingers and forced her gaze back up to him. His tone grew both softer and rougher, his stare remaining just as intense. “Tell me, and I will take care of you.”

CHAPTER 14

Lacey peeked up at Telok as he carried her through the jungle. His eyes were in constant motion, keen and alert, searching for danger. He’d been this way for as long as she’d known him—always on guard, always watching for potential threats, always ready to leap into action. Did he ever rest? Did he ever just let himself…be?

His gaze dipped, meeting hers, and she quickly looked away as her already warm cheeks flushed hotter.

Telok’s hold on her tightened.

She had been bold with him many times. She’d stared him in the eye and insulted him, had stood her ground when he got all snarly, had argued with him without a hint of fear. The other day, she’d taken hold of his hand like it had belonged to her. Yet when he treated her like this, with this commanding but gentle care, she couldn’t find the will to hold his gaze?

Lacey lowered her arm, resting her hands in her lap. She was just…feeling particularly vulnerable right now, that was all. She was groggy, exhausted, and in pain, not to mention embarrassed that he was carrying her in front of everyone.

“So where are we going?” she asked.

“You will see, vi’jatai,” he replied.

Telok had called her that many times when he was angry or frustrated with her, but the irritation with which he’d first done so was nowhere to be found now. The way he’d just said it had almost been…tender, despite the roughness of his voice. Like an endearment.

And damn if that didn’t make her belly flutter and her heart quicken.

She rubbed at her sweat-slickened chest. “No hint?”

“Ikesh’al sothak ursh ul vi’selyek.”

We will arrive in a small time.

She grinned up at him. “I guess I’ll just enjoy the ride until we get there then.”

“Like I said,” Cole quipped from behind them. “Princess treatment.”

Lacey looked over Telok’s shoulder. “Silence, peasant.”

Cole scoffed at her. “That’s how it’s gonna be, huh?”

“Well, if I’m getting the princess treatment, I might as well act like one, right?”

“You’re not my princess.”

“If you ask nicely, Cole, I’m sure Garahk would carry you for a little while.”

“Yeah, he probably would. Because Garahk’s a bro.”

“What I am?” Garahk asked, confused.