Page 6 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
Chapter Three
Tamlyn didn’t understand why her heart still hammered as if she were in battle. And she couldn’t stop looking at Cullen. She should’ve stopped him from following her into the ruins. She still didn’t understand why she hadn’t. No doubt, Jenefer and Sian would both demand an answer. Tamlyn hoped she had one by then.
She fisted her hands that still vibrated from the blows she’d received. No amount of training with a wooden staff prepared anyone for battle. She swallowed at Jenefer’s question, all the while staring at the man before her. He had blond hair shaved on the sides and pulled away from his face on top. His beard was darker in color, but instead of hiding his jaw, it brought more attention to it. His bottom lip was fuller than the top, and his watchful, pale brown eyes missed nothing.
He wore a shirt the likes of which she had never seen before. The thin, dark gray material had short sleeves and molded to his thick arms and broad shoulders and chest, showing every muscle ridge. She caught sight of what looked like a dragon inked on his left arm, but the pattern got lost beneath his sleeve. His blue pants were made of some thick material that didn’t look comfortable, and on his feet were heavy boots unlike any she had ever seen.
“His name is Cullen.”
He bowed his head to Jenefer. “And you are?” he asked.
His voice caused Tamlyn’s stomach to feel as if bees had taken up residence. How could someone’s voice do that? As handsome as he was, she couldn’t trust him. No matter that he had helped them.
Jenefer took a menacing step toward him. “Showing you the way out.”
“I want to know why those men were after Tamlyn and the lad,” Cullen said.
Tamlyn could tell that Jenefer was about to cause trouble. So, she hurried and said, “It was a misunderstanding.”
Cullen’s gaze slid to her. “A misunderstanding? A group of soldiers after a woman and a boy? Soldiers, who, I might add, you warned would get reinforcements and return. Try again.”
“It’s none of your damn business,” Jenefer stated.
“I’m trying to help,” Cullen said.
Jenefer crossed her arms over her chest. “Help somewhere else.”
Tamlyn pulled away from the boy and put her hand on Jenefer’s arm. She knew her friend was trying to protect them, but Tamlyn didn’t want the man harmed. He had helped. If it weren’t for his arrival, they never would’ve made it to the ruins. “Will you take the boy and get him some food? He needs to rest. I’ll handle this.”
Cullen and Jenefer stared at each other for a long moment before Jenefer sighed loudly and dropped her arms to her sides. “Fine.”
Tamlyn smiled and nodded to the boy, indicating that he could go with Jenefer. Once the two were out of sight, she turned to Cullen. “Thank you for the help, but you shouldn’t have gotten involved.”
“They almost caught you.”
“I know.” It had been close. Too close. Closer than she liked to admit. “The best thing for you is to leave and forget about us.”
“And if I don’t?”
It was her turn to sigh. “If you come back, we’ll be gone. Now that you know of this place, it isn’t safe for us.”
“Because you believe I’ll tell someone.”
She flattened her lips and gave him a knowing look. “Everyone has a price.”
“No’ me.”
“I owe you a debt for slowing the men. I’ll find a way to repay you, but you need to go.”
Cullen stood his ground. “You can repay me by telling me what happened.”
“If you wait, you’ll encounter the soldiers again. I won’t come out to help you this time. Neither will Jenefer.”
Was it her imagination, or did he smile?
“Then you better hurry and tell me,” he pressed.
Tamlyn rolled her eyes in irritation. Cullen seemed like a man she could trust, but it could be a ruse. Yet, she didn’t think so. He would’ve had to know exactly where she would head, and she had been very careful. No one knew about their sanctuary.
Well, no one but him now.
If he were with the army from Stonemore, nothing she told him would be news. It wasn’t as if she would lower her guard and allow him close. That might be something a spy from Stonemore would try, but as she’d already told Cullen, they would move. It didn’t matter that he knew where she was now or what her story was.
“I saved the boy from death.”
Cullen’s brows drew together. “How?”
“He was to be sacrificed.”
