Ivar's Escape (Assassins of Gravas #2) - N.J. Walters Page 0,49

badly you’re hurt.” She’d almost lost him. Soon he’d be back with his family, and their time together would be over. Living with the threat of losing a loved one was nothing new. Her siblings’ lives had been on the line for as long as she could remember.

Somehow, this was different. Maybe because they’d fought together, bled together.

“I love you,” she blurted. The ship slowed, the computer informing them they were about to dock. She pressed her fingers against his lips. “Don’t say anything. Just know everything I said to Balthazar was a lie. This was never about money for me. At first, it was about fulfilling a bargain with the Gravasians, keeping my word to my sister’s husband. Then it became all about you.”

His golden-brown eyes narrowed and his lips moved under her fingers.

“Please don’t. You’ll be fine. You’ll get your memories back and regain your life. I just hope you’ll remember me fondly.”

Their ship came to a stop and the engine shut down.

Ivar reached up and cupped her cheek. “I remember everything.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ivar’s head was throbbing. The last thing he recalled was diving at Delphi and shoving her into her ship. His head had rammed into the metal deck, knocking him cold.

His stomach churned and the throbbing pain in his head nauseated him. Memories bombarded him, all of them escaping from wherever they’d been hidden, at the same time, making them almost impossible to reconcile.

All expression left Delphi’s face. Even though his head was still in her lap, he might have been a stranger given her reaction, not the man she’d just told she loved.

What was going on?

One thing was certain—he hadn’t known her before she’d shown up outside the door of his prison cell.

“Delphi.”

The door to the ship slid open. He pulled his blaster and aimed. His arm wavered, the weapon slowly lowering. “Spear?”

Wearing a battlesuit with multiple weapons strapped to him, his older brother fell to his knees beside him. “How badly are you hurt?” he demanded.

He reached out and touched Spear’s face. “You’re not just a dream. You’re real. I remember.”

“I thought you lost your memories?” Spear glared at Delphi, as if this was her fault.

Ivar shoved himself up, putting himself between them. “I did. Bashed my head during the escape. Everything came back.” He swallowed heavily as the queasiness in his stomach grew worse. His vision blurred and he swayed.

“He needs medical attention.” Delphi’s hand was cool on his hot forehead.

“Stay with me.” He couldn’t protect her if she left him.

“There’s no need.”

Ivar grabbed her hand, linking their fingers together, before glaring at his brother. “She stays with me.”

Spear held up his hands in mock surrender. The idea was so ludicrous, Ivar snorted. His expression was severe, but there was relief and humor dancing in Spear’s eyes. “Whatever you want. For now.” He shook his head. “You’re a mess.”

His lips twitched as he plucked at his dirty and bloody shirt. “I’ve looked better.”

“Sir.” Two large men in battlesuits waited outside the ship, a stretcher hovering between them. “We should get the prince to the medibay.”

Spear stepped back and allowed them inside, supervising as they loaded him up. It was made even more difficult than it needed to be by the simple fact Ivar wouldn’t release Delphi’s hand.

She’d bolt if he did. She was all but quivering with restlessness, panic flashing in her eyes. But why? They were safe. Weren’t they?

“I’d be dead without Delphi,” he stated. A look passed between him and his brother. When Spear nodded, he finally closed his eyes. Every inch of his body ached with injuries old and new. That there was nothing truly seriously wrong was a miracle.

Then he was floating. Voices spoke, but they came from far away and it was too much effort to answer. Something cool washed over his body, followed by heat. The darkness deepened, swallowing him whole.

****

Curled up in a chair in the medibay, Delphi watched Ivar sleep. His color was much better, his breathing more even. Whatever they’d given him had eased the pain wracking his body.

They’d shaved him. Such a little thing, but she’d never seen him without the beard. His jaw was firm and stubborn. The beard, short as she’d clipped it, had somehow softened his features.

His lips were relaxed and slightly parted. The scar on his face added to his fierce appearance.

She should go to her assigned cabin and get some rest. Her job was done. She’d given a detailed report to the king of Gravas, with Spear, Sass, and