Chapter 12
Manu dropped into the chair and leaned forward, bracing his forearms on his knees.
Inej hadn’t stirred in hours. He kept seeing her dive in front of him in slow motion.
He hadn’t thought to look for the weapon as he shifted her out of the way and tackled the elf to the ground.
Why hadn’t he checked to make sure she wasn’t injured?
He squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He needed to convince a Star Elf to reside there permanently. At least for as long as the children called Navara home, in case one of them was gravely wounded.
He dropped his hand and found himself staring at her again.
He should’ve checked for the weapon. At the very least, he should’ve made sure that Inej didn’t fall into the water.
Witnessing her injury had been harrowing.
He couldn’t imagine if it had been one of the kids.
Dain might know a Healer who needed to hide out for a bit.
It was one of the first things he’d ask, just as soon as the Dark visited again.
Manu surged to his feet and stalked across the room.
He wasn’t a pacer. He always thought it better to focus the tight, unused energy in other directions, but that wasn’t as easy as it usually was now.
His nerves were frayed, his muscles stiff.
He wanted to burst from the city and run through the mountains.
He wanted to race after Jalall and confront Sachin himself.
He wanted to be able to question his would-be assassin.
And he wanted Inej to wake up.
But he couldn’t have any of it. And sitting here thinking about all the things he couldn’t do only caused more friction within his usually calm mind and body.
He cast yet another look toward the bed. Inej’s hair was dry now, the covers pulled up to her chin. Twice, he had put his finger to her neck to check her pulse, even though he could see her chest rising. There was no need to touch her again. Why, then, did he yearn to do just that?
Suddenly, she drew in a deep breath and rolled her head to the side. He stared, silently urging her back to consciousness. She moved her leg beneath the mound of covers they had piled on her for warmth. Manu returned to the chair and sat, his body vibrating with impatience.
Minutes ticked by with nothing, and then, finally, her eyes opened. His breath caught in his chest as she stared at the canopy above her. Then her head turned toward him, and their gazes met. The air left him in a whoosh at the sight of her striking brown eyes.
“Welcome back to the land of the living,” he said.
“I take it I almost didn’t come back.”
An image of her cold, still body lying on the bank of the river with blood gushing from her wound flashed in his head. “It was close.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you, by the way.”
“Where’s the elf?” she asked hesitantly.
It never dawned on him until that moment that she might be frightened of the assassin coming after her. “Found hanging in the cells.”
“He killed himself?”
Manu sighed. “It appears so.”
She pulled her arm from under the blankets and started to sit up. The cover fell, and he averted his gaze as he got to his feet.
“Are you hungry?” he asked while heading to the door.
“A little.”
He might not be looking at her anymore, but Inej’s face was etched in his brain. He mentally pictured her sitting up, her tangle of dark hair falling around her. “There are clothes in the wardrobe for you.”
Manu left before she responded. He had already spent more than enough time with her. Now that she was awake, he had work to get back to. Manu headed for the front door, intending to leave. He gripped the handle, but he didn’t turn it.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, debating what he should do versus what he wanted to do, when he heard her door open. His mind pressed him to leave, but he was already turning around. He took three steps and saw Inej standing in the hallway.
Her hair had been brushed and now cascaded over her right shoulder to hang past the swell of her breast. She wore a long-sleeved tunic gown of deep brown that gently hugged her curves and was embellished with bronze and gold embroidery at the hem, wrists, and the soft V neckline.
His gut twisted when she touched where the dagger had entered her chest. The pain was gone, and she was alive, but nothing could erase the memories of how the event had unfolded.
After a moment, she swung her head toward the kitchen.
Just when he thought she would head in that direction, she looked his way.
Manu walked toward her, compelled by some unknown force he couldn’t ignore to be near her. She didn’t retreat or look away. Instead, she held his gaze until he stopped beside her. Her attention was a mix of boldness and caution. And he had an idea why.
Inej had asked to stay at Navara, and he had refused.
Now, he was contemplating allowing her to remain.
She would never get near the children, and her movements would be monitored, just in case.
He wanted to trust her because she had saved his life, but there were too many variables for him to consider—and too many counting on him for protection—for him to freely give it.
“Do you still wish to remain?” he asked.
Her brow puckered with a small frown. “I do.”
Manu slowly released a breath. “I’m going to grant it. Don’t make me regret the decision.”