Chapter 23
Alifair snapped outof her stupor of joy when she realized what she’d said.
How could she have blurted out about her upcoming death? She opened her eyes to find Bosse’s worried gaze tracking all over her face.
She tried to fix her words. “I just meant I feared we would never see each other again.”
That confused him. She hadn’t expected him to return this quickly.
“Lie.” He handed her words back to her. “You said before you died.”
She gave up trying to deter him. Cocking her head, she teased, “I was being an emotional woman.” Truth in that. “We’re all going to die at some point.”
He studied her for a few seconds and declared in a raw voice, “Not you. Not yet.”
He sounded horrified and wounded. He’d been so happy holding her, and now she’d ruined it.
“I’m getting you out of here, and you will live a full life,” he announced, no longer showing any emotion on his face. “Don’t speak of dying again. I won’t allow it.”
His hands shook with the intensity behind his words.
This man who had lived in a cage and fought monsters daily might not be able to share his feelings like others, but his words and being here said he cared about her. She doubted anyone had ever seen him in a vulnerable moment.
She grabbed his face, kissing him all over. “I’m happy to do whatever will put that smile back on your face.” No matter how determined she’d been to keep her tears held back, one streaked down her cheek. “I’m so glad to see you, but you’re in even more danger coming back here.”
He brushed the tear away with his thumb, kissed her forehead, and lowered her feet to the floor. “Give me a minute.” He took a chair from the table and propped it to keep the door shut. That would notify them of someone trying to come in but not stop a real threat.
Walking back over, he took her hand and led her to the other chair. He sat and pulled her into his lap. “Krol found out you helped me, didn’t he?”
He’d already caught her in one lie. “Yes.” Just talking about Krol had her worrying about how to get Bosse out of here fast. “Krol may return at any time. You must leave.”
“Wewill leave when it’s time. I told the guards I had to see Krol about a job, and they said he wouldn’t be back tonight. We’re safe until tomorrow.” Bosse returned to quizzing her about his escape. “How did Krol figure out what you’d done?”
“He talked to Beast.” She started nodding at the confusion on his face. “I know. Hard to imagine anyone conversing with Beast, right? Evidently, Krol is the one person who can communicate with Beast.”
“I thought that monster was out cold when you came to my cage.”
