“I’m going to find Altair,” I say.
He darts in front of me, as if to block my path, but I step around him easily. “The healer said to take things slow.” His tail swishes. “You should be resting.”
I scoff. “I’ve done enough of that. I don’t want to sit on my ass while Altair needs help.”
“Charming,” Serus drawls. “What can you do?”
“Something,” I mutter. I lost my dagger after my first failed assassination attempt and I don’t have the time or strength to make another. “I’ll find a way.”
“This is foolish,” Serus warns me.
The main door rears up ahead of me at the end of the hall. I quicken my pace, nerves already prickling with anxiety. The door swings open, light slipping into the dim halls and I gape. Thal eases through the doors, shaking out his black hair and tucking a helmet beneath his arm. He glances up, sweat shining on his brow.
“Verity?” He asks softly.
A smile bursts across my face and I choke back a laugh. “Thal, oh my god.”
He moves, a blur of motion, and suddenly has me in his arms. I wince as his armor grates against my skin, but his friendly, familiar face is enough to drive away the pain. I squeeze him back, chest bursting with happiness. When he places me gently back on the ground and pulls away to search my face, I feel tears pooling in my eyes.
“How in the hell did you get here, Verity?” He asks breathlessly.
I shake my head. “It’s a long story.”
He smiles, a gloved hand stroking my cheek. The smile slips away and his brows furrow. “Are you alright? Did anyone give you trouble?” He notices Serus at my feet. “You got a cat?”
“He’s not a cat,” I say absently, peeking over his shoulder. “Where’s Altair?”
Thal jerks his head towards the door. “In the battle still. I’ve ordered the troops to cut off the demons’ escape. It should all be over soon.”
“Over?” I narrow my eyes, worry roiling in my gut. “I have to help Altair. I know how to defeat Sadal.”
I start towards the doors but Thal holds me back. “Verity, it’s too dangerous out there. There are demons everywhere, they went berserk. They’re even killing the Bloodbane. If you go out there, Altair would kill me.”
I frown, trying to wrench away from him. “I could finish this thing, Thal. You have to let me go.”
“No.” He shakes his head soberly.
I open my mouth to protest when I hear the doors open once more. Chains rattle. Light lances into the space, blinding me as I turn to see the newcomer. Altair’s lean figure is shadowed by the light, but I recognize his broad shoulders and impressive height anyway. Thal’s fingers slip away from my arm but I hardly notice. It’s like every cell in my body is stretching towards Altair.
I run towards him, feet slapping against the stone floor. My tired body protests, but it doesn’t matter because Altair is in front of me whole and truly. He’s reaching for me already and when I slam into him, he catches me with ease. My heart surges with emotion as I stare up at him. His hazel eyes are wide, locked on mine with the same desperate need that consumes me. His scruff has grown again, just a shadow of a beard on his sharp jaw. Sweat and blood shines on his skin, but he’s more handsome than I remember.
A blush creeps to my cheeks as I think of the day, we made love, who knows how long ago it was. His dirtied fingers stroke my jawline, tracing me as if to sense if I’m real. Heat swells within me as his eyes settle on my lips.
He drops his lips to mine, and I clutch at him desperately. When our lips touch, it’s as if he’s certain that I’m real and he leans into me. He cups my cheeks, our lips moving together. My heart beats wildly, happiness swelling inside my chest. It feels like I’m home. Safe. My core throbs with need as he slips his tongue between my lips. I gasp softly as his teeth graze my lips. It doesn’t matter to me that we’re in full view of the soldiers in the hall, crowded behind him. All that matters is that Altair is in my arms and I’m in his.
I melt into his arms, relief and desire flowing through me thick and slow like cooling lava. I taste the sweat on his lips and lap it away. I feel a deep rumbling in Altair’s chest and my heart races. Our eyes meet and I see desire flashing in his eyes. I nip at his bottom lip teasingly and he growls softly – just for me.
Suddenly, he pulls away, staggering slightly. I feel his absence like a blow to the stomach. His eyes dart from mine to the floor and then back again. I straighten, blushing and look at him questioningly. He opens his mouth and closes it again, looking like a fish. Goosebumps raise on my arms, sudden fear and apprehension coursing through me at the sight of the guilt in his eyes.
Before I can ask what’s wrong, I hear the chains rattle again. I peer around Altair’s broad shoulder and my stomach flips. Sadal stares back at me, his eyes bruised and swollen, lips bloodied. He looks like he took a beating that should have left him dead. I see blood staining his tunic and glance to Altair. My eyes spot the dagger in his waistband before he says anything. Relief floods through me. Altair found it. He made Sadal mortal.
But then why is he here?
“Verity,” Altair says gently, lifting a hand.
I shake my head. “What’s he doing here? Why haven’t you just killed him?” I spit out the last words furiously.
“It’s complicated,” Altair says.
“How is it complicated? You know what he’s done.” I glare
