Elias POV
Suddenly, Xira stumbled, her foot catching on the hem of her violet dress. The room seemed to hold its breath as she pitched forward, arms flailing, heading for the hard stone floor.
I jumped to my feet.
Beside me, Luther did the same, his chair scraping back with a violent screech. The bond in my neck blazed white-hot fear, not mine, hers and my hand shot out before I could stop myself.
But we were too far. The dais was raised, the dance floor distant. We would never reach her in time.
Then, the great doors of the hall crashed open.
A figure moved faster than should have been possible, a blur of dark fur and silver armor. He crossed the room in heartbeats, sliding to his knees just as Xira's body met his arms instead of the floor.
The impact knocked the breath from her in a soft gasp. He cradled her against his chest, one hand steadying her head, the other braced against the stone.
The music faltered. The dancers froze.
