Thorns of a Princess (Tales of Esper Sea Book 2) by Kassidy Kameron

Author:Kassidy Kameron [Kameron, Kassidy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-05-11T16:00:00+00:00

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The tinkling sound of falling pebbles rouses me from my slumber. I sit up, immediately alert. The fire is naught but a pile of glowing embers now. But the moon is bright, and it only takes a moment for my surroundings to become at least somewhat clear. My eyes dart around me, searching for the source of the sound.

There. A low chugging growl. I jump to my feet and pull out my sword, my heartbeat thrumming in my ears. I dash to where Rapunzel lies sleeping, and my stomach tightens when I spot the black outline of a large cat stalking toward her.

“Zellie!”

I hear her gasp as she jolts awake. Her scream pierces the air when she sees the mountain lion. I feel as though I’m moving in slow motion, though I’m pushing my body to run as fast as possible.

Rapunzel reaches out her hand in defense and brushes the lion’s fur. Her thorns obviously affect the animal—he howls in agony. They do not deter him, however, but rather serve only to make him angry. He lifts his front paw and swipes at Zellie. His claws scrape her arm and she cries out in pain.

A moment later, I am there. I thrust my sword into the lion’s back. I’ve gained his attention and he turns toward me, snarling and swiping at me with his enormous paws. I jump back, deftly avoiding his attacks, and aim my sword at his middle.

He tries to continue fighting, but the battle is over. He slumps to the ground, writhing for a moment, then he goes still. I kneel down on one knee to clean my sword, but soft crying pulls my attention away from the task.

Zellie.

I rush over to her but halt a foot away. She stands, her shoulders slightly hunched and clutching her left arm protectively. Her hair is mussed and I can see the tears in the sleeve of her dress. I wish to assess how deep her wounds are and how much blood she has lost, but I keep the distance she has always required of me and wait. Her breaths are hard and fast.

She meets my gaze and her face crumples. Her chin quivers.

“Oh Finn,” she whimpers as she takes two steps and falls against me, burying her face in my chest.

My arms immediately surround her. Mindful of avoiding her injured arm, I crush her in an embrace. I hold her tight for a few moments until my heart stops racing, then I loosen my hold. Her body shakes with silent sobs.

One of my hands moves to her hair and I stroke it gently. The other hand rubs small circles on her lower back.

Slowly, her arms move from my chest to my sides. I stand frozen as they continue on to my back until they encircle me. Her fists grip hold of my tunic. Hopefully, the strength of her hold is evidence that her injury is not too severe.

I’m overly conscious of the fact that she is willingly touching me.

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