Page 34
Sensing my weakening strength, Hunter sweeps me up and carries me toward the cottage. I don’t bother arguing and just wrap my arms around his neck. His arms are tight around me, one at my back and the other under my knees, cradling my body against his as he all but runs to the cottage.
My heartbeat begins to slow by the time he bursts through his front door and carries me to the sofa in front of the fireplace. After lowering me onto the cushions, Hunter crouches in front of me and his hands brush my wild hair away from my face.
“You’re bleeding,” he snarls out, his gaze moving over my face and chest.
I look down and see several of my scratches are oozing blood, though most are just raised and red.
“I got caught in some branches,” I answer.
Hunter doesn’t reply. Instead, he pushes himself to his feet and goes into the kitchen.
I close my eyes and let my head fall back on the sofa cushions as I fight to regulate my breathing.
I’m safe. I’m safe.
The thought echoes in my mind over and over.
When something cold and wet touches my face, I yelp, and my eyes fly open. I find Hunter standing over me, his expression dark and dangerous. I’ve never seen him perturbed before, much less furious. His green eyes glitter beneath lowered blond brows, and the muscles of his face are tight, drawing his jaw up and flattening his mouth into a thin line.
I’ll never admit it aloud, but I can imagine myself on my knees before him while he looks at me just like this. Demanding I open my mouth for him to use. To punish me.
A hiss escapes me when he dabs at one particularly raw spot on my jawline. His eyes flick up to mine and soften for a moment.
“I’m sorry, Little Red,” he rumbles. “But I have to clean these cuts or they’ll get infected.”
I manage to control my flinches when the cloth finds a few more tender spots. When he finishes, he drops the cloth into a shallow bowl full of water.
“I’m thirsty,” I murmur.
“Water or spirits?” he asks.
I don’t hesitate. “Spirits first, then water.”
The corner of his mouth twitches, as if he wants to smile, but his lips don’t curve. He disappears into the kitchen again and returns with an earthenware cup. I can smell the spirits when he’s two feet away, which means they’re exactly what I need.
I take the cup from him and lift it to my lips for a sip. The flavor of apple whiskey bursts on my tongue, leaving a trail of warmth from my mouth to my belly as I swallow.
Oh, yes. This is perfect.
I peer over the rim of the cup and see Hunter poured a glass for himself as well. However, he tosses his back in a single swallow before setting it aside and coming back over to the sofa.
“Can you tell me what happened?” he asks.
I take one more sip before I lower the cup. “I was looking for elderflower in the forest when I felt it.” I clear my throat. “When I felt him watching me. I couldn’t see or hear him at first, but somehow I knew he was there. I acted like I didn’t know he was watching and started making my way back to the cottage. Then, he stepped on a branch, and it broke. I reacted without thinking, looking in his direction.”
“Did you see who it was?” Hunter asked.
I shook my head. “No, I just ran. I didn’t dare look back again because I couldn’t risk tripping or falling.”
I wrap my arms around my body and rub my hands up and down my biceps. The cottage is warm from the midday sun, but my skin feels so cold.
Hunter grunts and wraps an arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side so my cheek presses against his chest as he leans back on the sofa. “Tell me the rest,” he says.
“When I saw the cottage, he was right behind me. I could… hear him breathing.” I shiver as I remember the rasping sound. “I knew he was close. So, I screamed for you and Conall. I knew you would hear me.”
His arm tightens around me. “We did. I don’t think I’ve ever moved that fast in my life.”
I give in to the urge to snuggle deeper into him, letting my body relax as his warmth seeps into my muscles. Here, in his hold, I feel safe. The terror of those moments running through the woods is dampened by his presence.
