She’s pregnant?
A shudder ran through me, and beside me, Xander stiffened.
“Liar!” Raithian bellowed. He raised the whip again, and I knew. I just knew. He wasn’t going to stop until he killed her and the baby.
And there was no way in the seven circles of hell that I was going to let that happen. Not while I still breathed. Not to this poor elf.
Tightening my grip on my dagger, I darted out from the trees. Behind me, Xander groaned. “Dammit, Aileana.”
The leaves rustled, and I knew he was following close behind me.
“Stop!” I commanded, advancing on the male. I stepped into the clearing, coming to a stop between two large, ancient-looking trees as I called out, “Don’t you dare touch her again.”
“What the hell?” Raithian cursed, turning around. The moment he laid eyes on the two of us, the disgusting male widened his stance. A wolfish grin appeared on his face as he stared at the two of us.
“Step away from the elf,” I ordered.
Raithian tilted his head, exposing yellowed teeth as he sneered, “She’s my wife. According to the laws of this land, I can do whatever I want with her. Not only that, but you have no right to stop me. This ismyland, and the two of you are trespassing.”
Xander stepped forward, the sun catching on his sword. “Even so, we would ask that you stop harming her.”
The male laughed. No, laughed was the wrong word. He cackled, the sound mirthless and without joy. It was the embodiment of evil.
Raithian and my fiancé would get along,I thought suddenly.The two males would probably find sadistic joy in being around each other.
“Youask.” Raithian turned, flicking his hand towards the female, who was currently trembling on the ground. “Did you hear that, Hironna? These two haveaskedthat I stop.”
Hironna moaned as rivulets of blood continued their path down her tattered wings. My heart shattered at the sound of her faint voice.
“Please listen to him,” Hironna said softly, her words broken up by pants. “You’re just going to make it worse.”
Raithian nodded, returning his steely eyes to us. Pure violence emanated from the male. “Leave now,” he ordered.
“No,” I shook my head, tamping down the fear that rose within me at the sight of the whip. My skin felt too tight for my body as memories of past hurt collided with the present. “We can’t.”
The human moved his gaze to Xander, sneering. “Are you going to let your wife speak for you?”
“She’s not exactly easy to deal with,” Xander muttered under his breath.
I huffed, shooting my fake husband a look that told him exactly how I felt about his comment.
Hissing under my breath, I tightened my grip on my dagger. “Really? You want to do this right now?” Shaking my head, I took a step toward the evil male. “This is your last warning. Leave her alone.”
The horrible male tilted his head, his eyes flashing. “No, I don’t think I will. She is my wife, and her life is in my hands. I will do with her as I please.”
I sighed, forcing a mask of cool indifference to cover my features. In reality, my stomach was twisting in knots, but there was no way I was going to show that. Not to this male who so clearly thrived on fear and pain.
It was obvious he was intent on killing someone today.
“Fine,” I said.
I peeked over my shoulder, noting the resigned expression on Xander’s face as he lifted his sword. He shrugged, seeming to say,go ahead. Let’s get this over with.
Nodding, I sent silent prayers to all the goddesses that this would work.
Widening my stance, I slide my dagger into its sheath before placing my palms on the rough bark of the trees that stood on either side of me. The trees themselves seemed to come alive under my fingertips, humming their approval.
Protectress of the Woods,the wind whispered in my ear.