The Blood King by Calle J. Brookes, BG Lashbrooks Read Free Book Online Page B

rocked her until she calmed. Aodhan's hand rose to hold Mal's shoulder and pull her closer; for once she didn't pull away.
Emily was afraid to ask the question on the tip of her tongue. Aodhan seemed to understand. "He's...better. He's sleeping, now. But he asked me to check on you one more time."
"I'm fine, just bruises." They'd almost died, just that quickly, and she had only bruises to show for it. "I need to change clothing. I need...I need...to see..."
Mickey hugged her. "Go, Em. I'll stay here with Josey. So will Mal."
****
The suite had been darkened, only one light burning when Emily entered. Guards had been posted outside their door and bars covered the windows.
Rydere slept, stretched over the center of the bed. His large body took up so much of the space. Large and strong. Thank God or the goddess he was always mentioning. Cotton pants rode low on his hips, barely covering anything. His bandaged chest rose and feel with even rhythm. His body was strong, healthy, toned.
She shuddered as she remembered how he had looked fighting the wolves; how fiercely he'd battled. How he'd yelled at her to get inside where she would be safe. Was that why he'd rushed outside? To save her?
Instinctively she knew it was. Her fingers were gentle as they ran over the bandages, over the damage he’d gained while protecting her and Josey.
His body stilled beneath her exploring hands. She looked at his face, seeing his eyes burning as he stared at her. He lifted his hand to her face, rubbing at dirt she hadn't realized she'd missed. "Emily, my love? Are you hurt?"
"No."
"How is your cousin?"
"They say she should pull through." Emily's breath shuddered out as she pulled her hands back. "In time."
"Guess you won't be leaving soon, after all." His words were soft, his hand gentle as it traced the cut on her lip. "If I could, I'd kill those Lupoiux bastards all over again for what they've done to you and your cousin."
"What were they? And why...Werewolves."
"Lupoiux. We've fought with them for millennia. I knew you'd be a target as soon as word of your existence got out. I'm sorry, Emily. For not keeping you safe. I should have."
"You couldn't have predicted what happened."
"Your home wasn't safe from me, was it?"
"No." And it hadn't been, but she understood him now. It might not have been noble, or honorable, what he'd planned for her, but she understood it now. Wasn't she now feeling her own stirring for vengeance against the creatures who'd harmed her cousin, harmed her…harmed Rydere? "But I almost understand why you did it. My grandfather must be stopped."
"And I had no right involving you in my battles with him."
"But if you hadn't, we wouldn't be here right now," Emily said.
"No." He tightened his hold on her hand. "I wouldn't have found you. I wouldn't have known I had my Rajni in this world. I cannot regret that, Emily. I regret what's happened between us, that I've hurt and frightened and taken from you. That your cousin was unprotected and nearly killed because I failed you. But I cannot regret having found you."
Emily didn't doubt he spoke the truth. It was in his eyes and the tension of his body. She'd moved closer as he spoke, until she was curled against him. "I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"No. But you can't stay long." His tone was filled with regret as he brushed his lips over her forehead.
"Why?"
"Because I am not strong right now, and I need you too much."
Emily tensed, then before she could stop herself she leaned closer and covered his lips with her own. He jerked in surprise. His hands wrapped around her upper arms and he pulled her over his chest, careless of the bandage. He took control of her like he'd done from the very beginning.
Emily didn't care. He was alive, she was alive, and she wanted to feel it.
Her hands slid into his hair, pulling his head closer to her.
He tried to pull away. "Emily...I won't be able to stop myself again."
"Shh. I don't want you to." She recovered his mouth with hers, then pulled back when