Page 19 of Kissing the Kelpie

With a murderous look, Em pulls a machete from his pants and lunges toward Finn. I gasp, clutching my chest. My heart stops as he slices the vines off the horse’s legs, a little too close to his flesh for my liking.

Em closes in on Finn, and I swear the big tree grows a good five feet taller than usual. He holds the tip of the knife to Finn’s throat. “Hurt her, kelpie, and you die a death ten times more painful than any you can cause.”

I take my first easy breath since seeing this horror show play out. “Thank you, Em!”

“If he does anything,” Em warns, meeting my eyes. “Call me, and I’ll be here.”

Chapter 13

Finn drops to the ground. I wonder if I’m too late. Getting on my knees, I gingerly run my hand over his dried mane. His eyes close. His breaths are shallow.

“No, Finn!” Fear seizes my heart, raking icy fingers through my chest. “Don’t you dare! You’re not getting off that easy, ” I snap. “You can’t shake up my world and then die on me, understand? If you want a life together, then you need to fight for it!” He opens his big blue eyes and lets out a long, resigned breath. “If you were honest, then while I have this chain, you have to do as I say.”

He snorts in response. I can’t help but sniffle and smile, hopeful that’s a good sign.

“No arguing.” I stroke him behind the ear. “We need to talk. I have questions you need to answer. Do what you need to and turn into a human. That’s an order!” I take a breath, hoping to calm the wave of nausea coming over me. It doesn’t. “In the meantime, I’ll crawl over there,” I point at one of the trees he was tethered to, “and throw up.”

I barely make it there before my stomach contracts and spasms, forcing the little bit of water I drank up. My hair is gently pulled behind my shoulders. Finn. No one’s touch grazes my skin with a healing heat and feather-like softness other than Finn.

He doesn’t speak. Even as I stop retching and catch my breath. On his knees next to me, Finn’s weary blue eyes stare, watching my every breath. Still holding my hair, concern is etched into the plains of his face. My belly swirls, and for the first time in days, it’s not to force out all of my bodily fluids. My heart sprints. Stutters. And takes off again.

We stare at each other for a few moments, neither of us making a sound. The air around us thickens. The lump in the back of my throat makes it hard to swallow. I blink first and throw my arms around him, knocking us both flat on the ground.

Finn groans as he tries to sit up. He makes it only a few inches before he falls back down. He’s too weak.

“Shh. It’s okay. Don’t move,” I coo.

Afraid to touch him, I run my hand over his head with the same tenderness he had with mine a moment ago. Taking a quick survey of his body, I notice his marred flesh. It’s impossible not to as red welts rise to the surface. Blood pools on his skin.

A war rages inside me for what Em did to him, but I need to tamp that down for the moment and focus on the man in front of me. Afraid to hurt him with my touch, I cup his unharmed face in my hands.

“Tell me, Finn. Tell me how to help you?”

His lips part as he stretches his hand out and flattens his palm on my belly. He moves it over and rubs just enough to feel the roundness taking form.

“It’s only been a few days since we coupled. I haven’t taken a test or anything—it’s not like there’s a corner pharmacy here, but with all the throwing up I’ve done, I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant.”

He smiles, and his kind eyes water with tears.

I didn’t realize it until I saw Finn suffering. I’d thought the nausea was a result of learning Finn’s true nature, but it didn’t ease even after the shock wore off, and it got stronger when I heard him cry out in pain. As if the part of him growing inside me sensed it.

Looking down at my belly, I realize it’s not scooped out like it should be; it looks like I ate a cantaloupe whole. I hope my confession gives him incentive to fight and stay with me. A contented sound leaves his lips before his hand falls to the ground, taking my heart with it.

Reaching for him, I entwine our fingers. I examine our joined hands, and images flash through my mind of long walks and dancing under the moon. I want years together. But like the weak hold he has on me, I’m afraid it’s all going to slip through my fingers.

Finn’s large blue eyes lock on mine. I can see that he wants to speak; he wants to say something. “Shh.” I place my pointer finger over his dry lips, stopping him, because I’m afraid if I let him, he’s going to say goodbye. “You promised that you would stay with me and we’d do this together.”

The light in Finn’s eyes brightens. He pulls my hand close to his chest. He admires his bracelet dangling from my wrist. His lips open, and his breaths sound rough and strained.

Sharp needles make Swiss cheese of the hardened outer layer of my heart as little bits of Finn are injected into the deep core. Little bits of love. And happiness. I can’t let him sink into the abyss. I need to pull him back and anchor him to me. I won’t let him die!

“Ma-sha.” My name is whispered so low, I think it comes from the slight breeze blowing through the leaves.

I stay quiet, listening in case he says something more. Saying my name takes a toll on him. His already pale face grays. But it’s the change in his eyes that breaks me. They look empty and send shivers down my spine.

“Finn!” I squeeze his hand, panicked. “I’m wearing the bracelet you gave me.”

He squeezes back, but it’s so weak I don’t allow myself to relax.

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