Free Prince of Love by Donna Grant

without letting it get him. That in itself would be a miracle.  
    Sorin waited. The Tnarg bared its teeth and growled, its red eyes glowing. It was angry now. It flew at Sorin, knocking him to the ground and straddling him. His sword flew from his hand just out of reach. The Tnarg wasted no time in using its claws.  
    The Tnarg held up a claw and lengthened its talons before slowly raking them down Sorin’s chest. He clenched his jaw, determined not to cry out.  
    Surely, Katrina had made it safely to the gates by now. At least Sorin prayed she had. He knew he wouldn’t last long without a weapon.   He turned his head and saw his sword just out of his reach. He stretched his hand for it and a cry of pain escaped his lips as the Tnarg pushed its claws into Sorin’s side.  
    Sorin could feel his hot, sticky blood pool from his sides into the thick snow. His life drained from him just as quickly as his blood did.  
    Katrina .  
    Suddenly, the Tnarg’s claws vanished from his side as the creature threw back his head and bellowed in pain. Sorin opened his eyes to find Katrina behind the beast.  
    The Tnarg clawed at something in its back as it fell off him. And then Katrina’s arms wrapped around him.  
    “We have to get into the gates, Sorin,” she said.  
    He stumbled to his feet and leaned against her. The gate was so far away that Sorin knew they wouldn’t make it.  
    “You should’ve gone to my family.”  
    “You’re being stubborn. I’m not going to stand by and watch you die. Now, move those feet,” she demanded.  
    Sorin grinned and moved faster. He looked over his shoulder to see the Tnarg had managed to pull the dagger from its back.  
    “We’ve got to hurry,” Sorin whispered.  
    He gritted his teeth and pushed aside the pain as he grabbed Katrina’s hand and sprinted to the gates. His family stood at the entrance yelling at them to run faster. Sorin didn’t need to look behind him to know the Tnarg was gaining on them. They were nearly to the gates, just a few more steps and they’d be safe.  
    And then Sorin landed on his face in the snow only to be pulled out of Katrina’s arms.  
    “Nay!” she screamed and started after him.  
    “You’re mine!” the Tnarg bellowed as it raised its claw to slash open Sorin’s chest.  
    Instead, Katrina kicked it in the face. Sorin jumped to his feet raced to the gate with his wife. As soon as they were over the Drahcir threshold, they collapsed on the ground in each other’s arms.  
    “Well,” Katrina said. “That was eventful. I don’t think I want to do that again.”  
    Laughter sounded around them and Sorin raised his head to see his family surrounding him. He leaned down and kissed Katrina, and despite his injuries, despite the crowd around him, all he wanted to do was bury himself inside of her. And he would, too. Just as soon as they got to the palace.  
    “We made it,” he whispered.  
    “Aye,” she said and cupped his face. “We did, you stubborn man.”  
     

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    The first thing Katrina noticed about Drahcir was the warmth. She was helped to her feet by a beautiful woman with auburn hair and hazel eyes who took her cloak from her.  
    “You won’t be needing that,” she said. “By the way, I’m Marin, and this is Isabella.”  
    Katrina turned to the dark headed woman with the striking blue eyes next to Marin and smiled. “It’s a pleasure.”   She glanced over at Sorin to find two men kneeling beside him stripping him of his tunic and jerkin and quickly bandaging him to stop the flow of blood.
    “I’m fine,” Sorin said and grinned up at her.
    “Nay, you are no’,” said the man with black hair and eyes.   He finished tying off the bandage and looked up at her.   “Welcome to the family, Katrina. I’m Lucian. The idiot on the other side of Sorin is Elric.”  
    Elric with his dark brown hair and green eyes punched Lucian in the arm before helping Sorin sit up.