The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 739

Chapter 739: Biting

But just as her irritation flared anew, Lucian’s warm fingers began to massage her ankle with a careful, soothing touch. The heat from his hands spread through her cold skin, sending an involuntary shiver through her. Erin instinctively tried to pull her leg away, but he held it firmly, as if knowing she would resist.

She clenched her jaw, trying to endure the conflicting sensations—the anger she clung to and the comfort she didn’t want to admit she felt. Finally, she blurted out, "Stop it."

Lucian’s gaze shifted from her ankle to her face. Though her eyes were filled with anger, there was something else beneath the surface, something she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

"You need to endure it a little longer, or you won’t be able to walk for a while," he said gently.

"I don’t need your help," she snapped, trying again to pull her foot free. "Just leave me alone."

Lucian saw the depth of her hurt reflected in her defiance. With a soft sigh, he released her foot and said, "I can’t leave you here. Either we both stay in the cold, or you let me help you onto the horse so we can head back. Once we’re at the residence, I won’t stop you from being as angry as you want."

Erin gave no reply, her silence heavy with unresolved emotions.

Lucian stood and, without hesitation, scooped her up into his arms.

"You—"

"I’m just taking you to the horse," Lucian said matter-of-factly, cutting her off.

He carried her effortlessly, ignoring any protests she might have wanted to voice. Once at the horse, he helped her into the saddle—but it wasn’t her horse. It was his.

"This isn’t my horse," Erin said angrily, her frustration clear.

"You’ve worn yours out. Look at the poor thing," Lucian replied.

Erin glanced at her horse, and guilt tugged at her. She had ridden it hard and fast for hours. Now, seeing its exhaustion, she couldn’t argue further and fell silent.

Her silence turned to shock, however, when Lucian swung onto the same horse and settled behind her.

"Why are you—"

"We only have one horse that isn’t tired," Lucian cut in smoothly, "and you can’t expect me to walk all the way back."

Erin clenched her jaw, feeling his strong frame pressed against her back. Even through their layers of winter clothing, the closeness felt unexpectedly intimate.

His long legs framed hers, and his arms encircled her, hands securely gripping the reins over hers.

This will be over soon, she told herself, taking a deep breath. "Let go of the reins. I can ride."

Lucian complied, releasing the reins into her hands, which eased her sense of feeling trapped.