Page 34 of Mystic's Sunrise

I pushed open the door quietly, stepping inside. The glow of the bedside lamp cast a soft light over her, shadows curling at the edges of the room. She was curled under the blankets, but her eyes weren’t closed. She wasn’t asleep.

She was waiting.

Her gaze flicked up, landing on me, searching my face. My jaw tightened as I forced myself to breathe.She doesn’t need to see your anger. Your frustration. Keep it together.

I dragged a hand through my hair, stepping closer. “You need somethin’?”

She hesitated, then gave a small nod. But her fingers gripped the edge of the blanket a little too tightly, like she was holding something back.

I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the water bottle on the nightstand. “You drink anythin’ while I was gone?”

Her lips parted slightly, then pressed together. A small shake of her head.

I exhaled through my nose and twisted the cap off, holding it to her mouth. “Drink.”

She hesitated, brushing her fingers against mine, a soft whisper of warmth against my rough skin.

I didn’t move. Didn’t pull away.

Her throat worked as she swallowed, and I watched, feeling something I couldn’t name twist inside me. When she was done, our fingers brushed again. Lingered.

“Good girl,” I murmured without thinking.

She stilled. Just for a second. Then, slowly, her grip relaxed, and she settled back against the pillows.

Something in my chest eased.

She lifted a brow, tilting her head slightly, questioning.Where were you?

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “Club business.”

She studied me for a beat, like she could see the weight I was carrying. Like she knew what was sitting at the back of my mind. Her expression shifted, eyes darkening, a question forming in the way her lips parted slightly before pressing together again.Dragon Fire?

My jaw ticked. I didn’t want to bring that shit into this room. Not now. Not when she was healing. But I couldn’t lie to her either.

I nodded once.

She inhaled sharply, her gaze flickering away. Like she already knew what that meant.

I reached out before I could stop myself, my hand resting lightly on her bandaged fingers.Gentle. Always gentle with her.“They’re not gettin’ to you,” I said, my voice coming out rough, final. “Not while I’m breathin’.”

Her breath caught, her gaze snapping back to mine. Wide. Searching.

Trusting.

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling slightly around hers. She didn’t pull away. Didn’t flinch.

Didn’t doubt me.

The tension in my shoulders didn’t ease, but it shifted. Less rage, more purpose. I pulled the blanket up around her, tucking it in like she needed it. “Get some sleep. I’ll be here.”

She hesitated. Then, slowly, her bandaged hand turned under mine, her fingers weakly curling around my wrist. Holding onto me.

I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

Then she closed her eyes, her grip not loosening.

I stayed.

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