Page 48 of My Hexed Honeymoon

We should’ve come up with a backup plan, because the amount of panic rising up and replacing the air in my lungs is getting more worrisome by the second.

I glance up at the sun to gauge the time. Through the canopy of leaves, I catch glimpses of blue, dotted with heavy, gray-bottomed clouds. The sun’s still on the rise in the east, only without having paid enough attention to where the giant glowing orb was in the sky when she went in, I’m still thumbs up my ass.

So while I don’t know exactly how long she’s been in an outwardly catatonic state, I’d guestimate it to be about twenty, thirty minutes. Compared to the last time I was with her when she navigated the shadow realm, it seems like an eternity. But I suppose it’s not that long to search for something like your carkeys, much less a powerful weapon that could turn the tide of a supernatural war.

All I know is every muscle in Talia’s body has gone taut, the REM behind her eyelids accelerating along with the speed of her panted breaths. Sweat beads her skin and dampens the hair at her forehead, and her features—formerly smooth and serene, as if off in a dream—are distressed and strained with fear.

Maybe she just can’t find it.

Around us, the forest has gone still, the scent of pine and wet moss coating the sinister silence. Even the noisy birds have stopped their chirping, the leaves no longer rustling, as if even the wind knows something’s wrong.

Or maybe it’s always this still and serene, I don’t fucking know. It’s not like there are many people who wander this far from civilization. The thin veil and all the magic might be messing with the vibes, too—I’ve never trusted any of that stuff.

All I can trust is my gut and this connection that buzzes through my skin, demanding I do something, and now. Even if I don’t know what that something is.

Keeping my hand anchored to her stomach, I study her face again with unblinking intensity, as if she’ll somehow be able to tell me even though she’s on another plane entirely.

“Natalia honey, I’m getting worried. I don’t want to cut your time short, but I refuse to lose you to that place.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I experience the gut-punch of how true they are.

It’s not just losing her to the Hollow that concerns me, either.

She’s burrowing beneath my skin a little deeper each passing day, my affection growing at an equally accelerated rate.

If I let myself, I could lose myself in this woman, and that scares me as much as letting down my people. When it comes to top ranks, those men and women are soldiers and have always had to be.

The rest of our community lives the simple life, with relatively little to fear, and Conall, Nissa, and I planned it that way. Our pack isn’t ready for war, not by a long shot, and the loss of a single member would be absolutely gut-wrenching.

Not on my watch.

There—her fingers twitched, the tiniest bit.

For such a small movement, it’s wild how strongly the connection buzzes through me, insisting once again I take action.

Her pulse goes erratic, and her shallow breaths come right on top of one another, her chest heaving with the movements.

Wrongness prickles my skin and settles in my gut, a heavy rock I can’t ignore anymore. “Fuck it,” I mutter, increasing my grip on Natalia with a renewed sense of purpose, “I’m pulling you out.”

“Don’t you dare, fleabag.”

Riven’s voice drifts over me, containing that mixture of smarminess and condescension that makes me want to unleash my claws on them.

They’re suddenly at my side like a damn specter, lookin’ for a brawl, apparently. I should’ve caught their scent and presence earlier, but I was too focused on Talia, and I stand by that.

Even if I can’t let it happen again.

“I don’t answer to you, Count Suckula,” I fire back. “And if I feel like she needs me, I’ll pull her out so fast your head will spin.” I bare my teeth, my voice dropping to a low growl. “I’ll rip it right from your body and leave it spinning like a top.”

Riven hisses, their freakishly blue eyes flashing. “We have one chance to turn the tide in this oncoming war. Personally, I’m a fan of bloodshed. But if I lose my brothers and sisters because of your furry hero complex, I’ll hold you personally responsible and ensure the suffering of your entire clan—your mate included.”

“Not if I end you now.”

“You’d have to let her go, and we both know you’re not going to do that.” Riven tugs at their clothes as though realizing they’ve been uncivilized before affecting a friendlier tone steeped in malice. “Give her time in this place we’ve now spent three days traveling to. She’s stronger than you think.”

Riven looks atmy wifewith a calculated sense of proprietary. There’s admiration and attraction, but it’s more like she’s a rare jewel the vampire can’t wait to make part of their collection. “Stronger than evensherealizes. This is her destiny, don’t rob her of it.”

“Hey, if she tells me it’s her destiny, I’ll move heaven and hell,” I say, “but she’s mine to protect, not yours to break.”

Riven scoffs, but there’s tension in their jaw now. Good. I’d hate to be the only one out here twitchy and uneasy and fighting my urge to inflict pain.

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