Nila #2
My lungs burst as we covered the distance back to the base in seconds compared to minutes.
We collided with the fence, Jethro grunted as he wrenched open the panel. “Get inside. Quick.” Shoving me through, he was rough and aggressive, before tearing inside behind me and slamming it shut.
I buckled over, planting my hands on my knees as I inhaled air and life. The whiff of ammonia and excrement hung thick in the space, but I didn’t care.
I’m alive.
I’m alive.
We made it.
Jethro didn’t move. He pressed his face against the crudely made fence and stared.
That was when I heard it.
Not a howl or grunt or purr. But a loud crunch.
“Oh, my God.” I sidled up beside him, staring through the slats to the plains beyond. Daniel had disappeared in the grass, the sheet caught on the stems, fluttering in the breeze. But he wasn’t alone.
Two lionesses had found him. Their tails flicking in greed, tan coats camouflaging them perfectly, and muzzles covered in Hawk blood.
“Oh...” My stomach roiled as the larger feline ducked and grabbed Daniel’s throat, hauling his carcass into view. I slapped a hand over my mouth as she tore through his jugular, ensuring I’d done the job correctly and he was dead.
The other lioness swatted her companion, taking a bite of Daniel’s shoulder.
Jethro vibrated beside me, silent but merciless.
We didn’t say a word as the cats gnawed a snack from the man I’d lived with, a brother Jethro grew up with. They ate a few large mouthfuls before grunting with triumph at the dawn sky.
With tan fur rippling, the head huntress snarled over Daniel’s gashing throat and with powerful muscles, carted her trophy away. The black tuft on her tail bounced back and forth as the evidence of my murder slowly disappeared.
His death to give life.
His evilness to feed purity.
We watched until there was nothing to see. No lions. No Daniel. Nothing.
Finally, Jethro pushed away, swiping a hand across his face. His shoulders rolled as he battled and segmented whatever emotions had risen. His voice was gruff as he said, “That’s why.”
I blinked, ignoring the stench of toilets and smarting realness of what had just happened. “What?”
He smiled sadly. “Out there, you asked me why he wouldn’t be found.”
A shudder stole my nervous system. “They’ll eat him?”
He nodded. “I doubt there’ll be any remains.
And if there is...it’s the perfect alibi.
Daniel got drunk after raping you and stupidly went for a walk to clear his head.
” He grabbed my shoulders, holding me tight.
“Promise me you’ll only remember that part, Nila.
You didn’t kill him. He didn’t touch you.
He didn’t rape you. And you didn’t have to defend yourself.
Wipe it from your mind. It will help you live easier.
He had it coming—even nature agreed with you. ”
I cupped his cheek. “Is that what you’re worried about?”
His face tensed. “It’s what I feel from you.”
“Really?”
Dammit.
He was too in-tune, too perceptive.
He sighed, nudging my forehead with his. “I sense what you’re not saying. I know he went further than you want to tell me. I know you’re in pain—most likely from the slap to your face and kick to your stomach—and I know the drugs in your system from the ceremony made fighting that much worse.”
How—? He’d picked up on not just emotional but physical woes, too.
“I’ll never get used to you doing that.”
His arms wrapped around me. “Well, you agreed to marry me—unless you’re having second thoughts—so I guess you’re going to have to get used to it.”
My body suddenly burst into a blistering sunrise. “I did, didn’t I?”
“Did what?”
“Agree to marry you.”
Jethro shuddered. “Fuck, I love hearing that.”
“That I’ll marry you?”
He smiled. “No, that you’ll be my wife.”
I did my best to squash the pessimism that we might never be granted something so precious. That the Final Debt might still come to pass, no matter he wouldn’t leave me again.
I used to be such an optimist...now...it was hard after the past six months. I smiled and kissed his lips. “You’ll be my husband. How did I ever get so lucky?” I did my best to project confidence and joy. However, I couldn’t hide anything from him.
Pulling back, he ran a hand through my hair. “We’ll win in the end, Nila. You’ll see.”
I sighed. “I know.”
I hope.
“We will. I promise.” Taking my wrist, he pulled me toward the panel. “Come on. Let’s go. I’ve got a driver waiting a kilometre away. We can leave.”
My heart galloped. “Wait. Through there? No. No way.” I tugged on his hold. “That fence is the only thing stopping us from being breakfast to the pride that’s already taken Daniel.”
Jethro frowned. “They have food. I doubt they’ll come after us.”
Food being his brother.
Knowing Jethro could see into the souls of others made a smidgen of relief settle. He didn’t care Daniel was gone. In fact, he seemed more than okay with it.
That said something.
I looped my fingers through his. “I’m not willing to take that chance. We’re together now. No lion or Hawk will take you from me.”
Pacing away, he looked like a wild animal trapped against this will. “I could run ahead. Get the driver and come back for you.”
Slamming my hands on my hips, I shook my head. “There is no way you’re leaving without me again. No way. You promised. Will you renege on that so soon?”
He exhaled heavily. “Agreed. I was wrong to leave you at Hawksridge. If I’d listened to you, none of this would’ve happened.”
I softened. “If you’d listened to me, then your sister and Kes might have been hurt.” I snuggled into him. “You did the only thing you could.”
He groaned, gathering me close and kissing the top of my head. “I don’t deserve you. Not after what Daniel—”
I kissed him. “Shut up. I won’t let you think that way.”
I would never verbally tell him I let Daniel enter me—just a little—to ensure my trap was sprung before killing him.
He didn’t need to carry such knowledge. It was a price I willingly paid.
Jethro didn’t need to know how repulsive those few inches had been, or how much I loathed myself for letting it happen.
I couldn’t stop him from sensing what I refused to say.
But they were my thoughts and I wanted them to remain unspoken.
His lips grazed over mine. “You’re right. Let’s get out of this hell hole.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Stay quiet and follow me.” He twisted to leave, a painful hiss escaping his lips.
I yanked him to a stop, inspecting his side. “Are you okay? You need a doctor.” Pressing the back of my hand on his forehead, I whispered, “You’re burning up, Kite. You need medicine.”
He scowled. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Just focus on getting out of here. Then we can both heal and relax once we’ve won.”
I didn’t ask how we would do that. But I did ask, “Are we going to the driver a kilometre away?”
“No. You’re right. It’s too dangerous.” His eyebrows furrowed, thinking of a new plan. “The Jeeps that the workers take to the mine aren’t far away. I know where the keys are stored. If we stay hidden, we can get there in time to leave when the employees do.”
“What about Cut?”
“What about him?”
“Will he have come looking for me by now?”
A harsh look filled his gaze. “Cut will leave you to Daniel. Call it training. Like a lion leaves its cub to maul its dinner before stepping in and killing it. He wants Daniel to use you. He won’t interfere with that.”
I wasn’t so sure. The way Cut had looked at me spoke of rage that his youngest son got me first. He’d hated Daniel had won the coin toss.
Stepping away from the smelly latrines and into fresh, morning air, I squeezed Jethro’s hand. “I trust you.”
His golden eyes glowed with their own daybreak. “I’ll make sure to finally deserve your trust, Nila.”
Tugging me forward, he smiled. “Now, let’s go home.”