Page 41 of Keeping Sarah

He nodded and we walked back to the bedroom. Sarah was deep in slumber, snoring from the drug-induced sleep. She did not stir as Jac helped me dress her in a long tunic shirt.

Jac pressed a kiss to her forehead, then glanced at me. “Take care of our girl.”

“Always.”

I carried her toSovereignand explained where we were going to Ode, to relay to anyone who asked. Then, we were off for the temple. I kept Sarah reclined back on the passenger seat,should she awake before landing. I did not want her to wake up alone.

Or to be able to sneak up on me.

I tried to keep the thought from my mind, but it was difficult. She had spoken of hurting me, and more importantly, hurting Jac or herself. As Jac had conveyed to me, there was no room for error on the matter.

It was early afternoon by the time we landed at the temple. I carried her inside, laid her down on some furs, and waited for her to awaken. She was peaceful—no snoring—and a sweet smile made her seem at ease. I hoped she was having pleasant dreams. I curled myself around her, holding her hand, praying she would wake up and be herself again.

She woke with a start, clutching onto my hand. “Where…what?”

“Shh, everything is fine,” I assured her in a calm tone. “We’re in the temple—"

She bolted upright, her eyes glancing around wildly. “Why?”

I sat up, too. “I thought, perhaps, a chat with your mother would set your mind at ease.”

Sarah’s eyes flared with anger. “Are you out of your mind?”

“No, in fact, Jac also thought—"

“I don’t want her to see me like this,” she insisted.

I was perplexed. “She is your mother. She loves you, no matter what you have done—"

“I’m a fucking mess, Deacon,” Sarah said, a hitch in her voice. “I don’t want to worry her.”

“I can understand that,” I said gently. “But you are troubled, and I am sure she would want to help. We all want to help you, Sarah.”

Her lips tightened, then trembled, and I thought she might cry again. “You do?”

I reached out and brushed wild strands of her hair off her soft cheek. “Of course we do.”

“Even though I said those horrible things?” she whispered, her eyes filled with regrets.

I smiled and nodded. “Always meansalways, Consort.”

A glimmer of a smile flickered on her face again. “There isonething that might help.”

“Tell me.”

“I’d rather show you,” she said as she pulled me down for a kiss.

“Sarah, I don’t think—"

“Good. Don’t talk, either.” She pushed me back and moved on top of me, her mouth glued to mine.

I grunted and pushed her back. “This is not going to fix you. If it was, it would have fixed you this morning.”

“Don’t you want me?” She tossed her tunic shirt off.

The sight of her naked body penetrated the last vestiges of my will, but I tried to resist and stay the course. “Sarah, please, I don’t think this is the way.”

She was undeterred and unfastened my uniform. “I know lots of ways—"

---