Page 67 of Wicked Embers

Still nothing. Her chest rises and falls, but it’s like she’s trapped somewhere far away. I lean closer, studying her face. Her lips are slightly parted, her breathing shallow. I can feel the weight of her memories pressing against the air around us. Whatever she’s seeing in her mind, it’s dragged her to the edge.

“Leigh,” I say again, more firmly this time. My voice shakes, betraying the fear I don’t want to show. “Listen to me. You’re not alone anymore. I’m here. I’ll fight whatever this is with you. Just come back.”

Her fingers twitch, so slight I almost miss it. A flicker of life. Hope surges through me, and I reach out again, this time more firmly, grasping her hand in mine. “That’s it,” I encourage, my voice softening. “Come back to me.”

The silence stretches, but I refuse to move. I refuse to let her slip further away. As I sit there, gripping her hand andspeaking words I’m not even sure she can hear, a single thought consumes me:I will not lose her.

My mind races. I know I should call someone—Sabrina, anyone—but I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s so still, so silent, it terrifies me. I’m afraid that if I leave her for a minute she’ll slip even further away. All I can do is keep talking and hope to God she’ll eventually hear me.

Cautiously, I stretch out beside her, not caring if my tux gets creased. My hands clasps hers as I rack my brain for something, anything that might reach her. Then I remember the songs. Her music.

“I’m sorry I snooped in your songbook,” I start telling her. “That was a terrible violation of your privacy. But you are so talented, Leigh. I can see why you wanted to be a songwriter.” I give a soft laugh, idly playing with her fingers. “There was one song in particular that stuck in my mind and I have to admit I’ve found myself humming a lot.”

“It’s three a.m., and I’m wide awake… thinking about the way you left me with a promise you’d never break…”

My voice cracks a little—hell, I’m no singer—but I keep going. “Now I’m lost in the echoes of the words we said, wondering if you meant them, or if it’s all in my head…”

Her eyelids flicker. It’s small, barely noticeable, but I see it. My heart lurches.

I keep singing, my voice soft and steady, even as my throat tightens. “It’s a long road back from goodbye, but I’ll find my way. Just tell me I’m not crazy for holding on…”

Her eyes slowly open and she blinks, her brow furrowing slightly as her eyes begin to focus. I take a shaky breath, relief washing over me. She’s coming back.

“Radomir?” she murmurs, her voice faint, like she doesn’t quite know where she is.

I lean closer, keeping my tone calm and steady. “I’m here, Leigh. You’re okay. You’re safe.”

Her gaze clears slowly, and I see confusion flicker in her green eyes. “What… what happened?”

I lean a little closer, careful not to crowd her. “You don’t remember?”

She shakes her head slightly, then winces. “No. Just… my head doesn’t hurt anymore. The migraine’s gone.”

I pause, weighing my words. Sabrina had warned me not to overwhelm her, but I need to know. “What set it off?”

Her lips press into a thin line, and she gives me a pointed look. “Probably you blindsiding me with this whole marriage thing.”

I wince, guilt twisting in my gut. She’s not wrong. This is my fault, and I owe her the truth—at least some of it.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “You’re right. This is my fault. I was reckless.” I hesitate, the words tasting bitter as I force them out. “Leigh… there’s a chance you could be pregnant.”

Her eyes widen, and I see the wheels turning in her head. For a moment, I wonder if she’s going to lash out, but then something dawns on her, and she whispers, “Shit… oh, shit.”

Panic flashes in her eyes, and I act on instinct. I lie down beside her and pull her into my arms, surprised when she doesn’t resist. Instead, she curls into me, resting her head against my chest.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, the words so quiet I almost don’t catch them. “I didn’t think about that. When we had sex it was the last thing on my mind.” Her cheeks go a shade of pink.

I stiffen, not expecting that. “This isn’t your fault,” I say, my voice firm.

Her hand clenches the fabric of my shirt, and she shakes her head against me. “It is. I didn’t stop you. I—“

Her words hit me hard, piercing through the walls I’ve spent years building. Gavriil was right. I’m not just falling for her—I might’ve fallen the moment her green-eyed fury stormed into my VIP poker room and turned my world upside down. But I can’t let myself go soft. Not now. There’s still too much I don’t know, too much at stake.

“I have to tell you something. You deserve to know what’s going on.” I tighten my arms around her, speaking softly. “We’re under attack, Leigh. At first, I thought it was a rival family trying to take over. Then I thought they were after you. But now… now I think they want everything. And they have people inside my organization—spies we haven’t identified yet. The stakes are high, and all I want to do is protect you.”

She’s silent for a moment, then asks quietly, “What does that mean for us?”

I take a deep breath. “If you marry me, I can protect you. The weight of my name alone will keep you safe. And when thisis over, if you still want to leave, I’ll help you. I’ll make sure you have everything you need to start your career, your life.”

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