Page 32 of Kissing the Kelpie

“No. I wish I had something harder to hit you with.” I guess pride isn’t on the menu at the moment.

He leans over and kisses the top of my head. “It’s okay, I forgive you anyway.” I moan in response. “Masha? Are you okay? You look very pale.”

“I’m tired. I need a nap.” I yawn, close my eyes, and rest my head on Finn’s shoulder, more content than I have been in a very long time.

“Sleep, my ballerina.” He cups my face in his hand. “You’ve been through a lot. When you wake, I’ll vow my love and life to you for the rest of our days.”

Chapter 22

“Oh my god!” I jolt awake, my heart drumming against my chest. “Where is he—”

“Shh.” Finn coos, sitting on the bed next to me and running his hand over my hair. “He’s with Em.”

“Em? No! No, no, no!” Realizing my potential threat of a son is with the creature sworn to protect my daughter and me, my heart screeches in fear. We never spoke about the baby—about what he is or what that means.

“It’s okay; Em is taking great care of him, and Erin has Ana. I gave Em detailed instructions.”

“Why is he with him when he should be with us?”

“It’s for the best right now. He’s safe. I promise.” He holds his hand up as if he’s swearing on the Bible. “You needed rest, and I worried our nugget might wake you.”

“If he does, it’s because he needs me. He might be hungry. Or need a diaper change.”

Thoughts rush through my mind faster than I can articulate them. I shoot to my feet, but the floor has other ideas. It tilts from side to side, knocking me off balance.

“Easy.” Finn rushes to my aid and steadies me in his arms, emanating a blanket of warmth and love. He draws me against his chest and strokes my hair, reminding me of how sweet and gentle he is. “The first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after birth, kelpies use all their energy on getting acclimated with their new environment. They mostly sleep.”

Why does this man make it so difficult for me to think straight? Oh, right. He’s not a man; he’s a kelpie, full of magic and deceit. That’s why I want to fall into him, not because I love him. Feeling too vulnerable, I strike at him with the only weapon I have: my words.

“Why would you build a house with a wobbly floor?” I ignore the desire to rest my head against his shoulder and return his embrace.

Smiling down at me, Finn flashes his dimples. My stomach flutters. Since I’m no longer carrying our child, I know the feeling is based on my reaction to him. To his proximity. To his touch.

“Look around, Masha, this is your cottage.” Shit, he’s right. “And the floor isn’t spinning. Perhaps it’s the thought of spending the rest of your life in my arms and in our bed that knocks you off your feet.”

I shake my head and narrow my eyes at him. “You think you’re so smart.”

“What’s really bothering you? What are you frightened of?”

“What is there not to be frightened of? I’m afraid of you.” I’m afraid that I’ve fallen so hard for you, and you’re going to disappear from my life. “You’re a kelpie. How long before you turn on me? Or Ana?” I close my eyes, afraid he’ll be able to look into them and see into my heart.

“On my life. On our son’s life, I will never harm you or Ana.”

“Our son’s life only matters to you for twenty-nine years.”

He shakes his head. “No. You, Ana, and our child will matter until the life has left my body. Even if that’s a hundred years from now.”

I look away. He cradles my face in his hands until I meet his stare.

“You agreed to spend your life with me. Let’s make it official. I mean, as far as kelpie traditions go, you consented to coupling and we produced an offspring, so you’ve already promised to spend a minimum of thirty years with me.”

I shake my head. “I didn’t promise any of that, and I don’t believe in lifelong promises or happily ever after. Not anymore.”

He nods and massages the back of my neck. I don’t know if it feels good because he found the spot that’s releasing my tension or if it’s just because it’s Finn touching me. He tries to hide his disappointment, but I see it on his face. In his eyes.

“If you won’t have me as your companion, accept me as your warrior.”

“Warrior?”

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