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more rounds into the beast’s chest. With all its momentum and weight, the golden panther sprang forward, knocking him to the ground. But Comron quickly rolled out of the way of the panther’s flailing claws. It continued thrashing about, blood pouring faster with each movement, until it moved no longer.
    Vaush shuddered, the weight of what just happened hitting her hard. Tears burned her eyes and rolled down the side of her face as she fell back to the ground. Only shock prevented her from feeling the full measure of her pain as she lay there, bleeding profusely.
    Comron’s face moved into view, his expression decidedly grim. His eyes were such a brilliant green and so intense that they sent a jolt through her. All at once her body began to shut down, her eyes drifted shut.
    Her head began to spin, as she felt her body being lifted off the ground. She wondered if she were dying and her spirit were leaving her body. But then she felt strong arms enclosing her, and her head being pressed gently against a warm chest. She opened her eyes to discover the truth, the Crown Prince of Nethic had rescued her and now cradled her in his arms, carrying her away to safety. She swallowed down the lump in her throat and forced back the tears.
    This couldn’t be the same brute that had treated her so contemptuously earlier. These thoughts faded from her mind as the gentle rocking motion of his long, steady strides lulled her to sleep.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 9
     
    Concerned that more predators would be drawn by the carcass, Prince Comron put considerable distance between it and them, finally coming to rest near a fresh water basin. Gently, he laid Vaush upon the ground next to it and removed the medical kit from his satchel.
    Delicately, he loosened her bodice and pulled her bloodied arms from the torn sleeves of her waistcoat. He tore a few strips of material from his cloak, dipped them in the water to clean the blood from her wounds.
    Vaush’s eyes flickered open. Instinctively, she tried to cover herself.
    Comron held her arms still and spoke softly. “Hold still. I need to stop the bleeding.”
    Her body went limp once more and he continued the delicate work on her torso and arms. Once satisfied, he utilized the same flesh mending apparatus Vaush had used earlier on him. Within minutes he sealed all of her wounds. All that was required now was some much needed rest and he admonished her to do so when she started to stir.
    Having completed his work, he sat back and ran his fingers through the strands of his raven hair. And that’s when the hard reality hit him – I’ve just saved the life of Larrs Bastionli’s daughter.
    He’d been making his way through the forest when he heard her screams. On impulse, he’d dashed toward the commotion and happened upon her just as the panther reared back to strike. In that horrific moment, the old hatred held no sway, only the compelling desire to protect her remained.
    Even as he told himself he had only saved her to use as leverage against Larrs, he knew the attack was not part of Larrs’ plans and that, in fact, none of it might be.
    As Comron watched the Ti-Larosian sleep, his eyes inevitably crept along her flat stomach and narrow waist, then up to the mounds of her breasts restrained under her satin-lace brassiere. Its light cream color contrasted exquisitely with her smooth complexion. She was a naturally-bronzed beauty if he had ever seen one, with silky, soft skin beckoning to be kissed, caressed and more.
    Uncomfortable with feelings stirred by the enticing image, Comron covered her with his cloak and turned away. What would Crausin make of his actions? If discovered with her, he’d explain to Crausin that he thought it was best to keep her alive in case Larrs showed up. It didn’t matter that he no longer thought Vaush was in collusion with Larrs. For whatever reason, she’d overcome her hatred sufficiently to nurse him back to life, and now he wanted