Chapter 34: A Home at Last

The doors slid open and a shaft of moonlight illuminated the tacky floor. He saw her golden hair spilled out around her, her hand outstretched towards it. He collapsed near her and stroked her swollen face, being careful to not hurt her. Her breathing was shallow. His fingers trailed down her arms and ribs. Nothing felt out of place. She stirred and groaned.

"It's okay. I'm here. You are safe now," he whispered. He slipped his arm under her head to lift her so he could carry her back to their home, but her body wrenched away, and she lay on her side whimpering. The moon cast a bright white light that shone onto the carnage that was her back. Tears sprang to his eyes as he saw the damage that had been done to her. If he could kill the Baron again, he would. A hundred times over.

Mindful of her back, he gently lifted her and carried her into the forest. He had tied Huxley there after he followed her from the apothecary earlier. They left the town of Gilramore, Saffron cuddled close t