Page 59 of These Deadly Dreams

The next three days pass incredibly slowly. Kai does everything he can to keep my mind occupied and off of Cade and Sterling. He tells me stories from when he grew up. We watch movies, play cards, and cuddle. The cuddling is my favorite. Being able to spend quiet time with him, with lazy touches and whispered conversations, is a balm to my aching soul. These moments never last long, though. My fears inevitably creep in and destroy whatever peace I find in his arms.

Sex is the best way to keep my mind occupied. So we have a lot of sex. There isn’t a room or surface of this cabin where we haven’t fucked. I’m also able to lose myself in the book Cade bought for me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take me long to finish it.

I sigh as I set the book on the coffee table, then flop back onto the cushions.

“You okay?” Kai asks quietly.

“I finished the book,” I reply. “And now I need to know what happens. She’s in the demon world now, with a crazy demon who I may be in love with, but I can’t go out and buy the next book.”

Kai stares at me with one brow raised. “In love with a crazy demon, huh?”

I scowl at him and cross my arms over my chest. “It’s no different than being in love with a vampire, is it? You’re practically a demon.”

Kai rears back and gasps. “Excuse me? I am not a demon. Vampires and demons are two very different creatures. I take offense to that. But in all seriousness, can you get the next book as an eBook?”

“Probably, but my account was managed by my da—by Thomas. I’m sure that’s no longer an option.”

“Use mine.” Kai snags my phone and fiddles with it before handing it back to me. “There. You’re all set.”

I grin as I search for the title and download it. “Thank you!”

He leans in for a kiss, but I’m too absorbed in starting the book, so he huffs and makes his way to the kitchen. I tune out the sounds of him doing who the hell knows what, and fall into the pages. I’m not too far into chapter two when footsteps on the porch bring Kai to the front door. I sit up, heart hammering in my chest as he slowly opens it. I can’t see past him, and he only opens it far enough for him to see out.

“Cade.” He steps outside, letting the door swing wide, and I’m on my feet faster than I’ve ever moved.

I run through the room and launch myself over the threshold, practically knocking Kai over in my hurry. And there he is. My mage. My soul-bonded. A sob tears from my throat and I throw myself at him, desperate to feel him again, to know he’s okay. My heart stops when he grunts and stumbles.

“Are you okay?” I pull back to look him over. I don’t see any blood, but his face is sallow and dark blue circles line under his eyes.

“I’m fine,” he tries to assure me, even as he grasps the railing for support. “Just exhausted.”

Kai jumps in and wraps Cade’s arm around his neck, helping him into the cabin and onto the couch. “Can I get you anything?”

“Water would be great.” Cade sits back heavily, his head falling to the back of the couch.

I sit next to him and grasp his hand. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Searching his face, all I see are signs of exhaustion. Nothing that would indicate more serious injuries. Still, I can’t get my worry under control.

“I just need rest. I used a lot of magic and it drained me.” He takes the bottle of water from Kai and drinks half of it. With a heavy sigh, he lays down on the couch and holds his arm out for me. “Lay with me?”

I snuggle against him and his body relaxes. Almost instantly, he’s asleep. His heart beating steadily under my hand is reassuring, and I’m finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. “He’s okay,” I whisper and close my eyes, tucking myself closer to him.

“What are you doing?” I ask quietly as I step into the kitchen.

Kai turns to me with a sheepish smile on his face. “Trying to make you guys some food.” He rubs the back of his neck, and I grin.

“You’re too cute.” I stand on my tip toes and give him a quick kiss. “What were you making?” I glance around the kitchen and find puddles of water on the counter and floor, and splotches of red sauce everywhere but where it should be.

“Spaghetti. I thought it would be easy. You just have to boil water and put the pasta in. Then heat the sauce.” He shrugs and ducks his head. “Turns out, it’s harder than I anticipated.”

My heart flip flops in my chest watching Kai act shy and unsure. “I mean, it is pretty easy, but you should have started even simpler.” I grab a paper towel and wipe up the sauce. “A sandwich would have been perfect. All you have to do is put meat on some bread. Can’t really go wrong there.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” he mutters under his breath. “I wanted to do something nice for you guys.”

I turn to face him. “It wouldn’t matter what you made us, we would appreciate it because you took the time to do it.” He looks around the kitchen with a frown, and I tug him toward the counter. “Okay, come on. Let me teach you how to make spaghetti.”

My fear has ebbed a bit with Cade’s return. I’m still a nervous wreck about Sterling, and I know his situation is even worse, but having two of my guys with me helps to give me the strength I need to keep going. As soon as Cade wakes up and eats, we’ll be able to talk about what we need to do to save my mate.

I walk Kai through the steps to making spaghetti. The domesticity of our actions is almost painful, because I know it won’t last. As soon as Cade wakes up, reality will return and the threat hanging over my head will once again weigh me down. What will it be like when all of this is over? I can’t even imagine the future because I’m scared it will jinx me. There is too much at stake, and I can’t let myself picture any happiness with my Shields. The pain of losing that future is too much.

---