Knightqueen (Oronis Knights #3)

“Sten,” Carys said.

He formed his broadsword. “I’ll save him.” Then he charged down the hill and leaped into the air.

The cat swiveled and snarled.

Carys sprinted down as well, running toward the child.

Sten sliced with his sword. He moved so fast for such a large man. The cat swiped out with its claws, its jaws snapping.

She reached the child.

“Come.” She held out a hand.

The boy’s eyes were huge and dark. His body shook.

“I won’t hurt you.”

Then Carys saw a second cat slink out of the shadows of some rocks. The child gasped and ran to her.

She formed her own sword and pushed the child behind her. The boy whimpered.

“I won’t let it hurt you.” She raised the sword and focused on the incoming predator.

The cat sprang.

Carys moved fast, her blade cutting into fur. Blood spotted the ground. The cat hissed and sprang back.

She changed her grip and watched, her muscles tense.

The cat sprinted forward, but she was ready. She whirled, her blade glowing. She thrust, and rammed it into the cat’s side. It yelped.

She yanked the blade free. The cat leaped into the air and Carys dodged. Claws swiped past her, and she felt the strike of them against her armor.

Then a large body landed on the cat’s back.

Sten raised his sword and brought it down on the feline’s neck.

The beast twisted, but Sten held on. He shoved his sword down with a grunt. It sliced deep, cutting vital things.

The light went out of the beast’s eyes. It took a stumbling step, and then its legs collapsed.

Face like stone, Sten pulled his sword free. He leaped off the animal’s dead body, landing with a bend of his knees.

He looked like an avenging knight of old, talked about in the old myths.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She nodded. She looked over at the first cat he’d fought. It was dead as well.

She heard a sob and turned to the child.

“It’s okay.” Carys held out a hand, letting her sword dissipate. “You’re safe now.”

The boy hesitated for a second, then he ran straight to her. He threw his arms around her waist.

Oh. She felt him shaking. She stroked his dark hair. She thought he was quite young, but he was taller than an Oronis child, so it was hard to tell.

“You’re safe now,” she murmured.