has a gun,” Saedra whispered, dread sending a chill down her spine. If the guard screamed a warning or got his weapon out, this would be over.
Garik didn’t need the warning. One arm went around the guard’s neck as he kept him pinned to the wall and a quick twist had the guard slumping all at once. Dead? Her stomach rolled.
“Is he...?” She couldn’t finish.
Garik lowered the guard to the floor then fell against the wall with a hiss. Saedra hurried over to his side, stepping over the guard who she was pretty sure was dead based on his unblinking gaze toward the ceiling.
“Are you alright, Garik?”
His head wobbled in an approximation of a nod. The short scuffle had taken some of his energy. With an arm about his waist in case he needed help, they continued up the flight of stairs.
At the top, she turned to the right and pushed at the door, opening it a thin sliver. She peered around the corner. Seeing no one about, Saedra headed for the fastest route to get outside without being seen—the kitchen. There was a hidden doorway along one wall in there and she’d discovered it purely by accident during one of her nightly forays for meals.
They didn’t encounter anyone in the halls or the narrow passageways in the immense home that was Lord Maurin’s pride and joy. When they neared the arched entry for the kitchen, she ducked to the side and pointed. “That way. A secret door is by the counters in the rear and the wall ovens.”
Crouched behind her, Garik nodded. His face was pale and sweat had formed a waxy sheen on his face. “Go.”
What did he mean? “Are you...do you—?”
“I’m fine,” he cut in and urged her forward.
Withholding a frustrated sigh, Saedra entered the kitchen with as much stealth as she could manage. Her ears strained for every sound. Garik followed hunched over and one arm clamped over his mid-section. They were halfway across the cavernous space, her heart pounding at their potential success.
“Saedra, are you getting a snack again?”
***
Garik grabbed a sharp cutting blade beside a discarded pan from the counter. His muscles flexed with the intent to throw it at the intruder.
“No,” his new bond mate hissed. Saedra caught the upper part of his arm and squeezed.
The woman darted a look from Saedra then to him, her brown eyes flaring wide. “Wh-wh—”
Saedra held up one hand, the other retaining a tight hold on Garik. “It’s not what you think. Everything’s fine, Meka.”
At least Saedra was keeping a low tone, but Garik’s fingers fisted about the handle. If he wanted to break her hold, it would be easy enough despite his current state. This might very well be a trap set by Lord Maurin—all to play upon Garik’s weakened state. Mental torture, sending a woman who exuded innocence and teasing Garik with the possibility of escape was a truly brilliant strategic move.
Saedra herself was an excellent actress if that was the case because Garik believed her. Gentle touches. Desperation. It was a nice touch and had gotten under his guard.
Fuck, he’d mated her. If she chose to betray him now or this was an elaborate scheme, he wouldn’t be able to kill her due to the unspoken vow of lifelong protection.
He eyed both women carefully. The plump dark-haired servant with the skin of warm brown he could take out easily. The trembling woman beside him...Garik wasn’t sure he could look her in the eyes and incapacitate her. She was his bond mate for better or worst. He’d made a commitment and for Gerelins it was life or death, no mind changing. It had been a calculated risk, one he’d known and accepted when she’d made her problematic offer.
Killing her after making the vow he’d made would go against his every instinct and dangerously destroy something within his core.
“Are you...leaving?”
Garik stilled. At any moment, he expected the newcomer to scream of their presence to his enemies.
“Yes,” Saedra responded.
For the first time, Garik took in how both females were dressed. The servant in a light blue sleeping gown with a robe of darker blue thrown over it. He recognized the poor quality clothing from his first glance and a match to the material that made up Saedra’s worn black dress beneath her cloak.
“With him?” the servant asked in a timid voice as she threw a stealthy glance at the door opposite the one they’d entered.
His senses screamed for Garik to eliminate the threat, but still he hesitated.