Page 34 of Broken Lands

Something shifted in the trees ahead, and I stopped, squinting through the darkness to see what it might be. My senses were on high alert after the attack tonight and my shoulders drew back, my whole-body stiffening with tension. The moon fell behind thick clouds, taking away what little light I’d had to see by. Shadows thickened and danced over the path ahead. A rustle and crack startled me and I willed fire to my palms to protect myself, amazed at the ease with which the balls of heat and light appeared there. A dull ache pounded in my chest and I wondered briefly if my magic reserve might need replenishing.

“Woah, woah, woah little dove, it’s just me,” said Stefan as he appeared ahead of me on the path, his hands held up in the air in a sign of surrender. He grinned at me, like he hadn’t just snuck up and given me an unnecessary fright after everything else that had happened tonight. Cocky asshole.

I frowned at him, straightening from the fighting stance I’d fallen into and extinguishing my balls of flame. His silver eyes sparkled as they locked with mine, and he took a cautious step toward me.

“I heard about the attack,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper as he closed the distance between us. “Are you alright?” His eyes were wary as he stopped, his body just a foot from mine. Raising a hand, he cupped my chin, tilting my face to his, examining me for any injury.

A sob tore its way from my chest as his words, his presence, broke down the walls I’d built around myself tonight. All my fear and anger burst forth in a tidal wave. Trembling, tears poured down my cheeks as I surrendered to it. Reaching for me, Stefan pulled me in hard against his body, wrapping his arms around me. His touch grounded me, keeping me in place physically while emotionally I shattered into a thousand pieces.

So much had happened in such a brief space of time. My world had been turned on its head and the toll of adjusting to my new reality was hitting me hard. Stefan held me while I fell apart, letting myself process the events of the last few days, and even some of my grief at losing my brother. I buried my face in his chest, the smell of rosewood and cinnamon wrapping around me like a second set of arms. An overwhelming sense of safety enveloped me, and in that moment, it didn’t matter that he’d scared me the other day, or that he’d been an ass by staying away for so long. He was here now, right when I needed him the most. That was what mattered.

When my tears finally stopped, and I could breathe again, I sagged against him. The adrenaline and emotion of the night’s events finally escaping my body, flowing away from me and out into the darkness of the night, leaving me limp and exhausted. Without a word of protest, Stefan scooped me into his arms, cradling me against his chest, and started strolling towards the Academy.

He carried me in silence, brooding but comfortable and I rested my head on his shoulder, too tired to demand he put me down to let me walk; too weary to worry about what was passing through his mind. I realized then that I felt content in his arms. Safe. Warm. Cared for. Like I might just be someone’s priority again.

I hadn’t felt this way for a long while. Not since, well, since before James had ascended and left me alone at the orphanage. I wanted to hold on to it, grab it tight, and never let it go. I wanted to hold on to him, so I did. I lopped my arms around his neck, nuzzling into his neck and breathing deeply. Something in my chest settled, instinct telling me this was where I was meant to be.

He looked down at me, one brow raised in question, a soft smile dancing on his lips. I smiled back, closing my eyes and soaking in the moment.

He carried me all the way through the trees, through the gardens, and up the stairs to my dorm room. He didn’t bother to put me down to open the door, instead shuffling a little to free one hand and crossing the threshold quickly, closing the door behind us. The room was dark, cold, and empty.

“Where’s Bee?” I asked, as he gently placed me on the edge of my bed. He knelt down, placing a hand on my ankle and untying my shoelaces to remove my boots. I tried to lift my leg in protest, but he pulled it back down, shushing me.

“Let me look after you, little dove.” He said, sighing heavily. “It’s the least I can do.” He looked up at me, pausing for a moment, waiting for confirmation, and I nodded. Reaching back down, he lifted my leg again, his fingers trailing down from my calf to ankle, sending shivers down my spine.

Stefan removed my second boot and placed my foot back down before rising and turning to the bathroom. He disappeared inside and I heard the water turn on, as though he was running a bath. He reappeared a few moments later, a cloud of steam billowing out of the bathroom behind him.

“Go rinse off that blood and mud in the shower, then soak in the bath—you look exhausted and much too pale for my liking. I’ll go scavenge up some supper.” He stated, leaving no room for argument. A bath sounded amazing, and he wasn’t wrong. I was exhausted, right down to the very core of me. The well of power I could usually feel ebbing and flowing inside my chest was faint, almost empty. It was an uncomfortable feeling and one I did not wish to grow familiar with. I understood then why the fae surrounded themselves in their elements as much as possible.

He turned to leave, reaching for the door handle. The thought of being alone sent wave after wave of anxiety through me, causing my hands to tremble. What if something found me here? Could those creatures get inside the walls of Danann? I took a steadying breath as he started to close the door behind him.

“Stefan,” I said, my voice dry and gravelly, shaking a little. “Please hurry, I—I don’t want to be alone tonight,” I admitted, my eyes cast downwards as I twisted my fingers in my lap. I wanted to be strong. I wanted never to need anyone else. But the reality was that I was scared and exhausted, all my strength gone for the night.

He stared at me, hesitating in the doorway. “I’ll be back long before you’re out of the tub, I promise. I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, and it was his turn to nod, his expression solemn as he closed the door behind him.

I mustered up the strength to stand, then stripped off my clothes before heading into the bathroom. The claw-foot tub was nearly full, a layer of bubbles on the top and tendrils of steam dancing in the space above the water. I turned off the tap and rinsed myself quickly in the shower, removing the majority of dirt, grime, and blood—Amy’s blood—from my body. I shuddered at the memory. Things could have ended so much worse tonight. Those creatures, whatever they were, could have killed her. If I hadn’t been there, if my magic hadn’t taken over and healed her, I hated to think about what could have happened, what state she’d be in now.

I stepped into the bathtub, sinking into the warm scented water. A heady floral scent washed over me—orange blossom, my favorite. I allowed my body to relax; the water working soothing my aching muscles. I was grateful for my newfound power. That I could heal and protect those around me. But I hoped I didn’t have to face too many more nights like tonight.

I was so far out of my comfort zone it wasn’t even funny.

I soaked in the softly scented tub until the water cooled. I climbed out, too tired to dress, instead drying off quickly and shrugging into a soft cotton bathrobe.

True to his word, Stefan had already returned. He was sitting at my desk, a platter of sandwiches in front of him. He must have lit some candles scattered around the room, as well as a small fireplace in the corner beyond Bee’s bed that I hadn’t noticed before. The air was warm; the orange flickering light calming my frayed nerves.

His eyes darted to me the second he heard me enter the room. The silver in them sparkled, glittering in the dimly lit room as his gaze roamed up and down my body. His tongue darted out, licking his lips as his stare became almost predatory. My cheeks flamed at the intensity of that stare, heat flooding through me and desire pooling in my lower stomach.

“Sit. Eat.” He growled, motioning to my bed and standing to hand me the platter of food. I took a sandwich, my stomach growling. It felt like forever since I last ate, though I know it had only been a few hours since I’d had dinner with Colin. I’d burned through so much energy; my body needed the fuel.

Stefan cleared his throat, sitting down next to me on the bed, twisting his hands together before rubbing his palms down the front of his pants. He was nervous. Curiosity surged through me. I didn’t know what he could make him feel that way, but I was dying to find out.

“I owe you an apology and an explanation. If you want me to leave after I’ve said my bit, I will. I won’t like it, but I’ll understand if you don’t want to be around me any longer.”

“Stefan, I won’t—”

“Please, little dove. Don’t make any promises. Let me explain, and then decide if you still want to be my -” He paused for a moment, looking down at his lap. “My friend.”

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