Run.
By the time the moon was high in the sky, it was becoming more and more difficult to keep moving. My limbs were dragging and my muscles were burning.
“Hold on, Aileana,” Xander squeezed my hand. “The cavern is not far from here.”
That’s what he said three hours ago. I was so tired, though, that I settled on making a huffing sound as I lifted my foot over a fallen log. Somewhere along the way, the forest had become even more wild and untamed. Trees were closer together, the bushes wilder, and vines hung from every available surface.
“We can spend the night in the cavern. It’s secluded enough to keep us safe. Just keep moving.”
“So bossy,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
He huffed a laugh. “What, no more threats about how much you’d love to stab me?”
I shook my head, keeping my gaze trained on the shadowy forest. “Too tired.”
Xander slowed, his mouth pinched. “Are you okay?”
I mumbled a response. I didn’t have the energy for anything else. Right now, all my strength was aimed at keeping me upright. I knew if I stopped, I wouldn’t be able to get back up.
Tugging my hand, Xander brought us to a stop. He took one look at my face, and before I could decide whether I was going to take another step or simply collapse to the ground, a pair of muscular arms grabbed at me. Xander slipped one arm under my knees, the other around my back before he pressed me against his chest and began to walk once more.
“You don’t have to carry me,” I protested weakly while nuzzling my face against his warmth. My heavy skirts and petticoats dangled from his grip, covering both of us in swaths of fabric as he picked his way through the woods. My body apparently didn’t care that Xander hated me. He was a source of heat, and right now, I needed that. My voice was quiet as I said, “I can walk.”
He huffed, tightening his grip. “And let you grab a knife and stab me because you’re tired and angry? No, thank you, Sunshine. I’d rather keep you where I can see you.”
Pressing my lips together, I rested my head against his chest. “I can still stab you from here,” I whispered.
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through both of us. “I’m sure you can. But I would beg you to consider holding off on your violent tendencies until we’ve reached the cavern. At least then, we might have a chance at finding some rest tonight.”
Humming, I nodded. “Fine. Since you’re being such a gentleman, I suppose I can keep my blades to myself for now.”
“I thank you.”
We fell into a companionable silence. I listened to Xander’s heart beating in his chest, and he carried me effortlessly through the forest.
My eyes drifted shut as the heat emanating from this infuriating male warmed me through and through. I forgot to be upset by his closeness. It slipped my mind to be incensed by the way he assumed I would hurt him.
Being close to this male was causing my entire body to do things against my will.
I lost track of time as the night wore on, my hands clutching Xander’s tunic. Eventually, he stopped moving.
He groaned, the sound quiet before something hard brushed up against my back. Seconds later, a chill ran down my front as Xander stepped away. Instantly, I mourned the warmth.
“Rest,” he whispered. Then, I felt his hands tucking my cloak tightly around me. It was surprisingly gentle. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Xander continued, “When the sun rises, we will talk about… everything.”
Everything.
Who I was. What that meant. The Red Shadow.
With that ominous declaration swirling around in my mind, I rested my head on the rocky ground.
“Goodnight, Xander,” I murmured.
A long moment passed, and an owl hooted in the distance. I thought he hadn’t heard me when a quiet whisper came from nearby, “Night, Aileana.”
At the sound of my name, my rightful name coming out of his mouth, I shut my eyes.
Soon, I fell into a fitful sleep.