Page 37 of Christa's Obsession

“Oh…”

Chapter Eighteen

Christa

Christa got the sense that Dougal wasn’t too happy about what was going on in his forest, yet when she’d invited him to meetKing Asmodeus to allay any worries he had about the magic the king would use, he had politely declined.

He’d ambled off, leaving Silas and Dakata, grumbling something under his breath that Christa hadn’t quite caught. Because what she thought she heard made little sense.

“Why can’t he see it’s all the same?”

Same as what, she didn’t know and wasn’t concerned with when Wanda wouldn’t let go of her. Admittedly, Christa’s demon didn’t want to let go either, with the memory of how distressed Wanda was when they had translocated back into the forest as soon as her meeting was over.

Christa suspected Wanda had been much worse with how she had clutched at Silas, and the relief Dakata had not concealed at seeing her. She would need to check in with the trees too, as she had picked up on their unease.

“What’s wrong with Dougal?” Silas murmured, his gaze looking in the direction that Dougal had disappeared.

“I should imagine we blindsided him by bringing a demon king into the forest to protect it.”

Silas looked thoughtful. “Do you think so?”

Christa had no clue. She didn’t know the troll that well to make any suggestions. Wanda hadn’t raised a concern about askingthe demon king to the forest and she knew Dougal well enough to have mentioned it, if it would be an issue. Wouldn’t she?

“What is worrying you?” Dakata slipped an arm around Silas, kissing his temple.

“I sense something.” Silas shook his head. “I’ll speak to him.”

Christa smiled at them both, not wanting to be rude and asking them to leave after supporting Wanda, but… “Thank you for looking after Wanda.”

Silas inclined his head, an ethereal smile forming that made her brother look at his blissful one with a smitten expression that got Christa struggling to contain her amusement.

“You’re both welcome, and it was no trouble when I got to spend some time with my sister.”

Wanda blushed a bright shade of red.

“We’ve been a little busy getting to know each other,” Christa supplied, wanting to take the pressure off Wanda when she clutched a little tighter to her, distress coming through their bond. “We’ll come and pay you a visit once the demon king protects the forest,” Christa promised.

He reached up and tugged gently on one of Wanda’s curls. “I’ll look forward to it.” He came up on his toes to press a kiss to Wanda’s cheek.

Dakata came and took hold of Silas’s hand. “I’m sure you want to be left alone now.” He looked directly at Christa as she nodded. “If you need anything, just let us know.”

“I will and again, thank you.”

They didn’t linger any longer and followed the direction Dougal had taken. Wanda ran her nose down the side of Christa’s neck, her breath tickling the skin as she inhaled deeply. “I need you,” she murmured.

“You have me, my love.” Once within reaching distance of their trees, branches formed steps within the nook. Christa carried Wanda inside, the trees remaining quiet. They kept their distance, giving Christa reason to pause.

Blocking Wanda, she reached out to the girls.I sense something is wrong.

We couldn’t console her. Her fear for you was too great. It consumed her.

Christa felt the clutch in her belly at their concern and how they would have lived that pain and fear with Wanda.I’m sorry.

No, beloved, you have nothing to be sorry for. It’s just… we have never failed her before.

You didn’t fail her. I felt the loss of our connection, as I’m sure you did, too. I miscalculated her fear. So I’m sorry for the distress I caused you all.

It was necessary for you to go. We know this. Protecting the forest and Wanda is vital to everyone’s survival.Christa felt their sadness.It means leaving us will be… difficult.

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