Free Knights-of-Stone-Bryce by Lisa Carlisle Page B

we have a moment alone?”
    “Aye.” At least, she wasn’t planning to eviscerate him in front of his clan mates.
    Once they’d traversed far enough over the heather-strewn moors to be out of earshot, she said, “I know you’re concerned, but this is something I have to do.”
    “It’s too dangerous. You can’t. Not like this.”
    “You knew I planned to go after them. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.”
    True. But hearing her volunteer for a suicide mission was something else. “But—”
    “They murdered every member of my clan. Every. Single. One.” She raised her hand, swinging it wildly as she reinforced her point. “If I can do something—anything—to stop them, prevent them from doing something like this—to your clan, for instance, I’m going to do it.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut. She was right. And so brave. And damn it, he understood what she was saying and he’d do the same thing, but—she might die. She likely would die.
    “I don’t want to lose you.”
    What was he saying—he didn’t “have” her. He never did. He only just met her! Why did the idea of losing someone he never had affect him so? His chest hammered with a pounding beat while his throat constricted.
    A brightness shimmered in her eyes. “It feels good knowing someone cares about me.”
    Cared about her? He considered it. Aye, he did. Even if he’d only known her for a short time. Something about her called to him on so many levels—so much that the idea of what she planned to do filled him with anguish.
    She offered him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to go blazing up there ready to offer myself up as sacrifice to a demon.”
    “What are you planning on doing?” His voice came out at a higher pitch, unlike his own.
    “I think I should fly through the space where my clan lived. At night.”
    “Mairi, that’s too much. Far too dangerous.”
    “I went back there before, remember? When I had to take care of the dead. They weren’t there then, so the chances that they’re hanging about are low. But it’s a good place to start. Then spread out to the nearby villages where there have been other attacks.”
    He balled his fists. “I don’t like this. Why can’t you stay back here and let us go in search of them?”
    She narrowed her eyes. “You want to help me, now?”
    “You know I do. We all are. We must stop the demons.”
    She appraised him with those large eyes. It wasn’t just some mission of good versus evil; it had become far more personal. Back on the Isle of Stone, he’d only agreed to bring her to this clan. Somehow along the way, he’d grown more attached to her and pulled into this mission. Not only to protect others, but her. Abandoning her was unthinkable. “I’m not going to let you do this alone.”
    “I appreciate it, Bryce. With all my being.” The grateful smile she gave him was radiant. “But considering I’m the only one who has ever seen these creatures—who has any experience with what we’re dealing with—you should trust my judgment.”
    “Aren’t you—afraid?” His muscles clenched as he contemplated what the demons would do to her if given a second chance.
    Her grave expression answered before she did. “Terrified.”
    “And yet, you’re prepared to do this?”
    “Aye.” The haunted look was replaced with determination. “I must.”
    Bryce’s chest tightened. The admiration he had for her was—beyond words. More than what he’d ever experienced for another. “Be careful. Promise me you will.”
    “I will.”
    “I’m going to be within a wingspan of you at all times.” It was impossible, a complete exaggeration, but he had to be near her. Had to protect her from anything that tried to harm her. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
    She squeezed his hand before she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “I know you won’t.”
    His cheek pulsed with heat, searing his memory with her kiss. The first. Better not be the