Page 27 of King of the Dawn

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and took her hand in mine, despite knowing what would happen next. Each time I touched her, I regretted my decision to set my little bird free from her cage. Letting her go meant taking my heart from my chest.

Fuck, when had I become such a sap?

Evie’s cool hands wrapped around mine as I tugged her into my side and resisted placing a kiss to the top of her head. A finger ran along my wedding band as she squeezed my hand. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“For?” I asked, my voice cracking, my strength gone as I inhaled the scent of sweet lilacs.

“Bringing me here, Jericho. I know you don’t want to be out in public right now.”

“It’s nothing,” I lied as I picked up our pace.

We’d been here long enough, and I was ready to get back to the safety of our home. She followed my lead as we wandered toward the register, while I continued to scan the shop. We’d driven into town, I’d brought the fucking calvary with me. Three men flanked us, Yuliya waited by the entrance while three other men covered each exit.

If Brock knew we were here, he wouldn’t be able to get to us. Still, I wouldn’t feel at ease until we were beyond the gates that blocked anyone from coming to my queen’s castle. Beyond those walls, the only dragon to be slayed in her fairytale would be me, and I’d hand over the dagger for her to slay me herself.

Evie only released me when we reached the counter to pay for her book. I’d been so in my own mind, so worried about anyone coming for her that I hadn’t even paid attention to the book she’d picked. The cover was like any of her other herbal recipe books. Green with some type of plant on it. The exact name, I wouldn’t know but I cocked a brow at the title. A woman’s book of healing: Healing Tonics and Supplements.

“What’s this for again?” I asked. Didn’t she have enough of these books?

“For Rose.”

I pulled out my wallet to pay for the book, then hesitated before handing over my credit card to the girl behind the counter. I still hadn’t gotten Evie a card, and the guilt of that bothered me. Had she ever gone to a register and paid for her things herself?

“There’s a recipe in here that can help treat her condition. I tried to find it online, but I still haven’t figured it out. Yuliya said she’ll help me navigate Google. But that was right before she started grumbling about you being a pain in her arse.”

Guilt bubbled inside of me. Poor Rose had been placed on bed rest. We should be celebrating her bringing life into this world, should be enjoying her pregnancy and here I was so worried about the wellbeing of Evie, that I wasn’t home with her while she was forced to stay cooped up.

Sure, she had her husband. But that Irish cunt didn’t count. She needed more than him to take care of those children.

I rolled my eyes, disdain for him taking over any previous emotions. Evie settled a hand on my back, rubbing soothing circles. “What’s wrong?” she asked, sensing my shift in mood change.

“Nothing.” I clenched my jaw as I took the bag from the cashier and led my wife toward the exit. “Let's get home.”

I pushed open the glass door, dipping my chin toward Yuliya in a silent acknowledgement that she was good to get into her own vehicle.

“Oh, but can’t we go to Charlie’s? He’s supposed to have some flowers sent over tomorrow, but when I spoke with him he told me that Queen Salvia was about to bloom. I have my book too, he can clip some of the ingredients for me.”

“Get me a list and I’ll tell him to send some over with the shipment tomorrow,” I clipped, not wanting to be out any longer than we already were.

I immediately regretted my short tone when she folded into herself, shoulders slumping to make herself smaller. When had she been able to go anywhere with free will? Even today she’d begged me to take her out. She may not have asked me directly, but she was pacing the library at home. Like a caged tiger in a zoo, she needed out.

“Evie,” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “It’s just not safe right now. Let’s find Brock and then we can go wherever you’d like okay? I’ll call Charlie and have him send over the herbs you need for Rose’s tea.”

I tugged her into me, as we stood in the middle of the parking lot. We were exposed to the enemy just standing in place like this, but my heart broke as her bottom lip quivered and she sucked in a breath, her head bobbing with acknowledgement.

“I’m sorry, Jericho,” she whispered so low that I could barely make out the words. I probably wouldn’t have even known what she was saying if I hadn’t been staring at her lips, reading them as she spoke. “I’m sorry that my demons are following us.”

My breath shook as I exhaled before I dropped my forehead to her cheek. My nose nuzzled against soft skin. “No. You don’t apologize for this. I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m letting this situation dictate how we live.”

She nodded, her hands wrapping around my neck as she stood to curl into my shoulder. Lilac, that beautiful and sweet scent was going to be the death of me. It made my heart beat faster and it stirred my cock to life.

I’d miss her scent, her touch, her taste when she was gone, back to her homeland with her sweet unsuspecting lover.

But she may still choose you! My desperate heart screamed. It wanted me to fight for her, and make her stay. I didn’t need to lay down and accept defeat against a fisher boy-turned-bookstore-owner!

“Jericho,” Yuliya hissed, her voice coming from behind me. “We need to go.”

Rustling sounded behind us, and I turned to see two of our men wrestling a man to the ground. I grabbed my woman and hurried away from danger. Something I didn’t think I’d ever do in my life. I’d always ran toward it, ready to fight.

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