Page 19 of Ashborne Forged

Shit. Shit.

Who would be out here? And why now?

“Voski, you’re my mate! You can be certain I’d never share your secrets with others—”

I clapped my hand over her mouth and met her eyes—which had gone wide and round over my hand now. I released her very slowly, raising one finger to my lips. She understood and nodded slowly when I gestured for her to stay there as I eased myself off the bed.

I cursed as I crept across the floor toward the window on that side of the building. This was the downside to the privacy of the treehouse—we couldn’t see out. Even if I opened the shutters fully, the same branches that hid the treehouse from below, obscured our view of the outside.

My instincts prickled the hair at the back of my neck as I carefully released the lock on one of the shutters, praying the hinges wouldn’t creak.

But before I could swing it wide, the trapdoor in the floor popped behind me.

I snarled a curse and whirled just in time to meet Gil’s eyes as he pushed the trap door up.

“What are you—” He cut off, his eyes wide with shock as he caught sight of Grace on the bed—who, thankfully, had had the presence of mind to pull a quilt up and over her naked body. But she blushed furiously. “Oh, shit. Sorry, Gr—”

Fury scoured the breath from my lungs. “Get out. Now!” I roared.

6. I Don’t Share

~ VOSKI ~

The trapdoor dropped into place again, but not before Gil’s deep chuckle rang in the room.

I swore and rushed to Grace who was scrambling to keep herself covered, and blushing beet red.

“I’m sorry. He hardly comes out here anymore!” I said, pulling another quilt up and over her. “I’ll make him go.”

She stared at me, but nodded quickly, then licked her lips. “That’s probably wise,” she said breathlessly. But there were tears in her eyes.

God, I was going to kill him.

I swallowed hard and cupped a hand to her face. “I didn’t tell him to come, Grace.”

“I know. I believe you.”

“Thank you.” I leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her lips, growling that there was any interruption to this precious time with her, before jerking on my trousers and boots, not lacing, or buttoning anything, then yanking the trapdoor up and climbing through.

“Latch it behind me,” I ordered Grace. “No one can see in from outside. Don’t worry.”

Then I slipped down the branch and let myself drop to the ground, whirling to find Gil laughing his ass off.

“I can’t believe you didn’t lock it!” he spluttered. “Rookie mistake, Vos.”

“Get out,” I muttered, storming toward him. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“No chance. Not until you’ve explained how the hell you ended up naked with the Princess—”

I didn’t think. Didn’t even feel. My hand shot out to clamp at his throat, and I shoved him up against the tree trunk, pinning him there. He gasped and choked, grimacing, prying at my fingers.

I leaned in until we were nose to nose. “Get. The fuck. Away.”

Even in the early dark, Gil’s eyes glittered, and I thought he might fight me.

Fucking try me.

His face slowly reddened as I didn’t back down. But a moment later, he took his hands off of mine and lifted them above his shoulders in a gesture of surrender.