Free Erun (Scifi Alien Romance) (The Ujal Book 4) by Celia Kyle, Erin Tate Page A

deadly intentions to one and all.
    And that was when he realized that sound came from him.
    The human paled, face growing stark white until he was reminded of human whispers of ghosts. The male might not be a ghost yet, but Erun would soon see him dead. The priest yanked his blade free of Vanessa’s throat and dropped her to the ground. Erun’s heart was torn in two, his desire to stay at Vanessa’s side warring with his soul’s need for vengeance.
    His heart made the choice, forcing his arms out to catch her and gently lower her to the ground. Panicked eyes met his, her small hands clutching at her throat, and he whipped his shirt over his head. He placed the cloth at her neck, fighting to staunch the flow while also allowing her to breathe.
    “You will be fine, lofei .” Sweetheart. Loved one. Was that what Vanessa had become? In so few hours? Perhaps. It began with a single shout and he had no doubt the feelings would deepen.
    As long as she lived.
    Her eye lids drooped, hiding her shining irises from his gaze. “Vanessa?”
    “Take… care… of…”
    “Silence, lofei . I will get you care and—”
    The rapid thud of booted feet on metal filled the hallway and several uniformed males raced toward him and he recognized each one. The principessa’s elite guards.
    “Why are you not guarding the principessa?” he snarled. He could not divert his attention and worry for Rina.
    “Tave’s guards have her,” Thame quickly replied and it ended with a grunt as the one female who could save the reason he breathed shoved past the male.
    “ Sece .” The lone female rushed forward.
    “What is her status?” Sece did not look at him as she dropped to her knees on the other side of Vanessa.
    “She was stabbed in the throat by a male.”
    Sece nodded and her attention remained locked on Vanessa. “Remove the cloth. I am prepared.”
    Erun did as she ordered, peeling the fabric away to expose the deep gash. He eased back, wanting to give Sece space but Vanessa grasped him.
    “Take care of her, Erun.” She fought for air, bubbles peppering her wounds as she battled to breathe. “Don’t let…”
    Erun pushed past the pain in his chest and forced words through his lips. “As if she were my own. Nothing will happen to her. I swear it.”
    It was as if his promise was the only permission she required to lose consciousness. She slumped against the floor, body lax, and still Sece worked.
    “Will she be—”
    “I need a surgical room. I can stabilize her, but I need additional tools.” Sece lifted her head, gaze flicking up and down the hallway before focusing on Thame. “That room. Open it.”
    Erun followed the direction of her stare and bolted into action. He did not wish to lose Vanessa, but he’d made a vow and would not fail her. If Sece wanted to take Vanessa into that room, he must first remove Tabby. He slammed his hand on the palm pad and slid between the doors before they fully parted. He found the youngling curled in a ball, hiding in a corner. The moment her eyes met his, she hopped to her feet and ran to him. He easily scooped her small weight into his arms and covered her head with his blood-stained hand as he urged her to lay against him.
    He kept her face hidden, not allowing her to watch Sece and his males carry a lifeless Vanessa into the room. He ensured she did not see, but he could not close her little ears.
    “I’ve lost her pulse!”
     
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Everything was made more difficult by the presence of a youngling. Especially one who would not allow Erun out of her sight. She cried if he stepped into another room to answer a comm, she cried if he tried to shower, and she cried if—the seas forbid—he attempted to use the facilities. Which made for an annoyed Prince Tave since Erun refused to discuss anything related to Vanessa’s condition near Tabby’s small ears. He forced the male to wait until Tabitha slept.
    And he would not trade his time with Tabitha for anything. No,