Hope stilled. Were they going to fight?
Vero slashed into his wrist. “Here. We share blood, and you’re injured. Need you at full strength.”
Paxton studied him for a moment and then accepted, drinking his new brother’s blood. “Thanks.” He leaned back.
“Uh-huh.” Vero looked around and then started down the mountain, scraping his feet, trying to widen a trail through the thick snow with his legs. Pax followed with Hope behind him, her hands tucked into what was left of his waistband. Both Pax and Hunter kept close to her, no doubt to provide body heat. They walked for at least two hours, and soon she couldn’t feel her feet.
She stumbled on the long skirt and started to go down. Paxton turned and caught her, whipping her up, turning, and continuing.
“Put me down.” She pressed against his bare and still-bloody chest.
“No.” He trudged along, his body straight, wounded, and damaged. “I thought Hunter and I could keep you warm, but your feet must be frozen. Put your arms around my neck and take my warmth.” His voice brooked no argument.
So she argued. “You need to preserve your strength, and this skirt weighs a ton. Put me down. I won’t trip again.” Despite her brave words, she snuggled into his heated chest and turned her cheek to his pec.
He sucked in air. “Your face is freezing. Just hold on.”
“Pax—”
He looked down, still walking, his gaze intense. “Did you mean it?”
She gulped. “That I can walk?”
“That you choose me.” His chin was up as if ready for a punch, but his eyes, well now. Those had gone demon hot.
“Yes.” She forced herself to meet his gaze, and for some reason, it made her feel vulnerable. This was Paxton. Her Paxton. “I meant every word.” She shrugged, and snow fell off her skirt. “I should’ve made the choice a million years ago, but I thought fate...”
He dropped a quick kiss to her nose. “Fucking freezing,” he muttered, pressing her face against his chest. “We’ll talk about it later, but it’s done now. You’re never taking that choice back.”
She didn’t want to take it back, although his tone hinted that the look of possession in his eyes was just the beginning. For now, she let his skin warm her face. Even bloody, bruised, and wounded, he smelled like her Paxton—worn leather and wild forest. She inhaled him, her shivers lessening just a little, but her feet feeling numb.
After a couple more hours, Vero pointed toward a clearing through the trees. “There’s a river running along there, a wide one. There should be some cabins nearby. Maybe. It depends. I have no clue where we are.”
“Me either,” Hunter grumbled from behind them.
They’d been silent, each concentrating on breathing and trying to stay warm. Black clouds swirled above them, hampering sight. The air was below freezing, and snow covered every visible tree and rock. Hope held tight to Paxton and could feel Hunter behind them. Vero was taking the brunt of the freezing wind; they probably needed to give him a break.
“I see something,” he said suddenly. “There’s a cabin near the river.”
Pax stilled. “I’ll check it out. You guys stay here.” He placed her on her feet and waited until she’d regained her balance before kicking through the thick snow to the structure. Snow covered the dark, silent building. He kicked open the door and walked inside. Then he motioned for them. “We’re clear.”
Hunter took her arm and lifted her, nearly staggering. “This dress weighs a thousand pounds.”
“You’re telling me,” she said, her teeth chattering.
He slogged through the snow, still bleeding from a wound in his head. They’d been working too hard to be able to truly heal themselves.
When they reached the cabin, Paxton drew her inside. “How bad are your injuries?”
“I’m all right. Your blood healed me.” Now she needed him to heal himself. “How about you? Has the change to being Kurjan hurt you?”
“No. I’m stronger.” He looked at the other two males. “I want you to hold on to me, Hope. I’m going to try to teleport again.” The air popped around him, but they didn’t move. “Damn it,” he said. “It could have been a one-shot deal until I really learn how to do it. I don’t know, but I’m not able to teleport now.”
Hunter’s face was grim, and he reached out to run a knuckle down Hope’s cheekbone. “All right, cousin, I need you to dig deep. Pax is going to keep you safe, and you’re going to be fine.”
“I’m healed, Hunter.” She looked at their temporary shelter. It appeared to be some sort of hunting lodge with several cots piled in a corner, plastic storage containers holding blankets, and open cupboards empty of food over a simple wood counter. There was no sink. A fireplace was already piled high with wood in the corner nearby. “I can keep going. We have to warn the Realm about Drake’s plan. Even though he’s dead, I can see Ulric and his soldiers still attacking.”
Vero grimaced. “Drake has been holding Ulric back until he mated you, but now, the shackles are off. Ulric will regroup and attack at dark when the Kurjans are at full strength.”
Panic flowed through Hope. She guessed it must be close to noon. They had to warn her family. “We have to go.”
“You’re staying here,” Paxton said. “I’ll go.”
Hunter looked at Paxton. “You’re still hurt, worse than I am, worse than Vero. You stay here, get warm, while we try to find safety. We’re going to walk along the river until we find some sort of camp where we can call and warn the Realm. Then we’ll find transport back home.”
Paxton shook his head. “I’ll go. You stay here with her.”
“No,” Vero said. “You still have broken bones and probably internal bleeding. I’m good, and Hunter is healing as we speak. If you regain the ability to teleport her out of here, do it. We’ll find you.” He shifted his feet. “You’re both injured, and we might take days.” His gaze flitted across Hope.
Indecision crossed Paxton’s expression. It was sweet he wanted to take care of the younger warriors, yet he looked back at her, his gaze determined. “Okay. You two stick together and stay safe.”
“We will,” Hunter said.
Paxton reached out and tugged Vero in for a quick hug. “You’re a good brother, Vero.”
“I hope so. We just declared war,” Vero said. “And neither one of us really has a place on either side.” With that, he turned and shoved open the door. “But your job is protecting her.”
Hope gulped. She’d chosen Paxton. Time wasn’t on their side, they were at war, and she might be mortal. He’d want to mate...right now.
Hunter looked at Hope and then Paxton. “Stay alive. Newly found Cousin Vero and I will be back.” He winked, and with that, he followed the Kurjan soldier into the middle of nowhere.
Chapter Thirty-Five