Page 145 of Once Upon a Fable

His back curled, the beads of his spine evident as he wretched up an empty stomach.

Worry made me sharper than I intended. “Dammit!” Scrambling to my feet, I hastily removed the blanket he’d soiled and tossed it into the corner. Grabbing another one that I’d stacked close by, I shook it out and spread it over him.

Kneeling by his head, I brushed aside his long, wild hair, my fingers coming away damp from his clammy skin. “Hush, it’s okay.” I bowed over him, instinct directing my motions instead of common sense. Pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, I murmured, “It’s me. Gemma. If you can hear me, then let’s start again, okay? I forgive you for what you’ve done to me if you forgive me for what I’ve done to you. We can be friends—”

His eyes soared open.

His hands launched for my throat.

He tackled me to the ground.

His gaze was overly dilated, his pupils black as coal. “You want to be myfriend?” His voice wasn’t his. It was black and tainted, icy and sharp. “I’m sick of friends who think they can fuck and hurt me.” His fingers tightened on my throat. “I think I’ll kill you instead.”

“Wait!” I dug my fingernails into his wrists, gasping for air. “I’m trying to help you!”

“Help?” He laughed. “I don’t want your version of help.” His thumbs crushed my larynx.

You’re going to die, Gem.

Dark spots danced over my stare.

My legs jerked, trying to get purchase and run far away from him.

Pure panic chased away my exhaustion, replacing my blood with electrifying adrenaline. Shooting my hips up, I prepared to fight for my life (again), only...he collapsed on top of me. His fingers went loose, his face slack.

He was out.

I gulped oxygen and shoved him off me.

Kicking him with a burst of hysteria, I crawled on my hands and knees, coughing and swallowing, never taking my eyes off him.

How many times must this happen, you idiot!

When would Ilearn?

No matter what happened between this man and me, I couldneverlet my guard down.

Ever.

Jesus, Gem.

I’d deserved that.

He’d successfully reminded me that, once again, I’d beenunbelievablystupid. I’d romanticized this entire damsel taking care of the beast scenario.

I’d forgotten that he wasn’t just a man who’d chosen to live in a forest, alone.

He was a man with serious issues, a trauma he hadn’t dealt with, and a mind that, quite frankly, seemed unable to be reasoned with.

He’s unstable.

And you’re in danger if you leave him untethered.

My knees wobbled as I slowly pushed to my feet.

I hesitated.

It went against every caring part of me, especially as I looked down ata man sprawled on the floor, his belly flat and hollow from lack of food, his skin scarred with silver mementos, his face looking far younger unconscious than awake.