Chapter 87: Not That Easy To Break

I catch his scent at the last second. It's the only thing that saves Piers's life.

He falls back with a cry as I collapse, still clutching my spike, at his feet. I look up at him, not believing what I'm seeing, smelling. He must be another hallucination, like my mother. But when he bends over me, his blond hair brushing over my naked skin, fearful gray eyes full of worry, I know he's really here with me.

Piers sweeps off his longcoat and drapes it over me before helping me to my feet. I fall into his arms and he hugs me close, the feel of him so wonderful I can barely stand it. My body breaks into powerful shivers, making it hard to stay upright, but Piers holds me tight in his strong arms and lets me shake out the debilitating fallout of my capture.