Page 106 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

“Okay…what if it’sonlythe humanity, though? Nothing else.”

“Unlikely.” When another shiver wracks my bones, Alexios pulls a throw off my footboard and tucks me in before going to freshen up the washcloth.

I’m scowling pitifully into my mug when he gets back. “What ifI give you my humanity, then you give me access to your powers, thenIgetyoureverything?”

His eyes light. “That would be delightful. We could trade everythings.”

As he leans in and wipes my brow, removing the damp, sticky moisture of the tea’s steam, my heart thumps. “Seriously?”

“I don’t mind exchanging my heart for yours. My thoughts are not secret to you. My soul already belongs in your palm.There is little that would change for me if you would be content to own my everything as payment for yours.”

I am, quite honestly, too sick for this conversation.

The sheer allure ofowninghis everything…is almost enough to make me cast off my reason and shake on it right here. If I own him in return, that’s protection. And, now that the literal possibility presents itself…

I understand.

I understand why he wants as much from me.

“When I’m feeling better, can we talk about this again?” I ask.

Wicked pleasure overcomes him. “Of course.”

I grumble, “Don’t look at me like that.”

He closes his eyes. “My apologies. I grew hungry on the idea you were considering not only giving me what I desire…but also wanting me in all the same ways.” His free hand lifts, gripping a fist in the clothes over his heart. “It incites things that are nearly too much to bear. I love you so much, Zahra. Being wanted by you is such a gift.”

It hurts to swallow, because my throat is sore, so I shove a bit more tea down to soothe it. “You’re a very weird little bat boy, Xios…”

“I suppose I am.” His eyes reopen, all mischief and…love…in the depths of the storms. “Another reason we match so well.” Turning on his heel, he says, “I shall relocate Ash outside your bedroom door and get a pillow to place on the floor between you two.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

My lamplight casts him in beautiful, safe shadows as he smiles back at me. “So this little bat has somewhere to sleep while he keeps an eye on both his darlings.” Darkness swallows his eyes, violent retribution sparking on my behalf. “Should more nightmares plague you, I intend to rip them to shreds. Sleep well, and know that I am here.”

Stilling, I watch him retreat and return.

I watch him kiss Ash’s sleeping forehead at the doorway.

Then I watch him snuggle up as a little bat on the pillow between us.

All the while, Psalm 46:10 echoes in my tired skull.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Rest. And trust that, amid pain and chaos, there is a refuge of strength woven into My plans for you.

Super weird of Him to grant me that refuge in the form of a tiny bat…but I’m not going to argue with the kind of deity who sends babies to stop rebellions.

It doesn’t need to make sense. It just needs to work.

And, if I’m honest, I think it is most definitely working.

Chapter 26

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where do I put my hate?

---