my eyes to his call.
“Rosalie,” he called. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized how tight he was holding me.
“I’m fine. Just give me a minute,” I said, pulling away from him, which only seemed to anger him.
“You fainted.”
“I slipped. It won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t,” he growled. Then his hands grasped my waist and I was up, feet in the air as his strong hands lifted me onto the saddle. Seconds later, he was up behind me, lifting me a second time so I was now sitting sideways across his lap.
Distressed, I tried to slide off, but he ordered, “Don’t. Move.”
I didn’t. I couldn’t, because Nova had started moving, and I feared I would fall and be trampled under her hooves. Xander shifted me again and wrapped his hands around me, pressing me close. My head lay in the crook of his arm, his vest against my cheek.
This close, I couldn’t help but study the threads of his long sleeve. Along the cuff was a dark red stain.
He didn’t speak, and now that I was close to him, I didn’t feel scared. I was safe. After a terrifying night, I found myself at peace enough to fall into a light sleep. Just as I was nodding off, I swore I felt the lightest feathery kiss across my brow.
“We’re back,” Xander whispered when we were within sight of the manor.
Opening my eyes, I noticed the hard clench of his jaw, the tenseness he carried in his muscles. His left hand was wrapped around my waist to keep me from slipping, and even his arm felt like iron. Why would coming back make him so apprehensive?
Our arrival back at the manor was completely different compared to yesterday’s. Guards lined the entrance, crossbows resting against their hips. Their faces were grim and mirrored the worried look of Yassa himself, who stood next to a wagon. We rode up, and I could see there was a body lying in the back, wrapped in muslin.
My mouth went dry. I could tell from the tall stature that it was a man. My heart pounded fast, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had russet brown hair like my dream.
“Oh, you’re safe, Your Highness,” Yassa cried out, stepping down from the front steps and wringing his hands. “We thought the beast had gotten you too.” He pointed at the wrapped corpse.
“I am fine,” Prince Xander said firmly as he dismounted.
An urgency filled me, and I struggled to get off the horse. Xander was loath in letting me go, but finally he sighed and carefully held on to me until my feet were firmly planted on the ground. Veil forgotten, my heart was in my throat as I moved toward the body. My hairpins had fallen out, and my eyes were red-rimmed and dry from lack of sleep; I assumed I would look closer to a ghost than a princess. Stopping inches from the wagon bed, I glanced over and saw a tanned hand sticking out from the canvas, fingers covered in dirt and mud.
My approach had caused the conversation to halt, as Yassa and Prince Xander watched my movements with renewed interest. Their opinion didn’t matter—only he did. I reached for the edge of the canvas and lifted, my hand trembling as I saw his dark brown hair and what was left of his face.
I knew what I was about to do was taboo and against everything the kingdom of Baist stood for. Only those with my gift, or curse, could call this power.
I slipped my hand down his cold arm and touched his fingers. His fear consumed me, and I gasped in pain. I could almost see his attacker as his death vision touched me. The last few seconds of his life flashed before me. His terror was my own: black fur, teeth, blood, and then death.
I dropped the cloth and clutched my frightened heart, trying to calm my shaking hands and regain my breath. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled under the weight of his death all over again.
“It was the beast,” I confirmed, turning to look at Xander accusingly. He had come here to stop the killings and had failed. I had to grasp the wagon to keep myself from sliding to the ground.
“Witch!” Yassa called out. “She touched the dead. You saw her. She is unclean and must leave our pure lands.” He pointed at me, the jowls under his chin shaking in rage.
“Watch your words,” Prince Xander warned.