He nods just as howls fill the trees around us. We all stiffen for a moment before realizing that it’s the call to end the hunt.
Every hair on my body stands on end as I glance back to the woman in my arms. We were almost too late.
We still might have been.
The scent of her blood is strong. Her dress is torn and bloodied, her skin pale where it’s not covered in mud or blood.
“She lives, but she might not have much longer,” Pierce says. “We need to get moving if we mean to save her.”
“You mean to take her back to the castle?” I ask.
Pierce nods. “She will be safe there.”
“It’s the best place to tend to her wounds, Rykker. Then, we will worry about getting her away from here. Without giving ourselves away.”
Reluctantly, I nod.
“Together, we will see to it that she survives,” Heath promises.
I give another nod, wishing that I could believe his words. Standing, my arms tighten around her as I pull her to my chest.
Together we make our way back to the castle. It strikes me just how delicate she is as I take a step. In my arms, she weighs nothing, feels so helpless.
And yet, she stood up to the prince.
I hope that means she has the strength needed for her to survive what comes next.