Maddox's eyes didn't move from Kael's and it took every ounce of control not to look at Guinevere.
"Fine. Forty-eight hours."
"Swear on your dragon, little brother."
"I swear on my dragon. Two days. Let her go."
"Wonderful. I accept your terms." Kael lowered the blade.
Guinevere's legs gave out the moment the support left. She pitched forward, and Maddox was there before she hit the ground. The sound that left his chest was the sound of a man who had been drowning in a void and had just broken the surface.
He touched her neck, then her face, checking her. Every touch was fast and precise and said things his mouth couldn't say with Kael ten feet away.
He wanted to pull her to his chest and wrap his arms around her, but that would tell Kael who she was to him and Kael would use it against her.
"Status. Can you move or are you dead weight?"
His tone was hardened, the one he used with the elders. Never with her. But there was no universe where he would not be carrying her.
