Then…
Elias shuddered suddenly, a sharp breath catching in his throat. His body tensed above her. She felt the wetness through his shirt before she saw it. Dark crimson seeped where his wound had reopened, staining the fabric, spreading against her gown.
"Elias!" she gasped, her hands flying to his side.
His forehead dropped against hers, eyes squeezed shut, his lips trembling against her own as though he couldn't bear to let her go. His breath came ragged, pained, yet he clung to her with desperate longing.
"Damn it…" he whispered hoarsely, the words breaking between his teeth. "Not now…"
Emma froze, horror flooding her as she felt the warmth of blood soaking between them. "Elias!" she gasped, hands flying to his side. "You're—oh Gods, you're bleeding again!"
