Page 49 of Hunted
And yet...I wanted him to push.To speak to me using his mind speak, where there were more than just words, where we couldfeela sense of each other’s emotions and intentions.I didn’t just want to guess.I wanted to know that he was okay.Thatwewere okay.
“You should rest,” I said softly, my hand still cupping his jaw.
He tilted his head and my fingers trailed downward, over his neck again, coming to rest over his collar bone.“No,”he said into my mind.His hand covered mine, drew it down over the warm, lean muscles of his chest, to rest over his heart.Warmth pooled between us, my aura twining playfully with his, the way they always did when he was in a lust mood.
“Your body needs to replenish,” I reminded him.“And you’ve hardly slept.”
Neither have you, sweet mate.
I tried not to smile, not to beam happily in the face of what had happened.But I was just so happy to hear him, to feel him in my mind.And...I didn’t sense any anger behind his words.A bit of wistful sadness, maybe.But he was entitled to feel a bit down after being attacked and almost dying.
Fabric rustled as Cicely reached for the blanket beside him.His fingers brushed mine, soft, lingering.My chest felt tight and fluttery all at once, relief mixing with my lingering worry.“I was so scared for you,” I whispered.
His fingers trailed over my cheek.I was scared me too, believe me.But I’m still here.
I blinked hard.Nodded.“You don’t hate me?”
He didn’t ask what I was talking about.This was Cicely.He knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.Of course not, my witch.I wouldn’t love you half as much if your heart was so fickle as to withhold your affection from a loved one for something that was not their fault.
He tugged me closer, and I snuggled in along his side on the chaise, my head resting on his chest.You remember the first week you brought me to The Fox?
I did.I remembered how he had helped me escape the syndicate fae, then insisted on staying by my side.I remembered the way he’d spent so much time hiding in the basement library or the courtyard, because the wards around The Fox were constantly reacting to his foreign presence and trying to urge him to leave.I remembered his quiet footsteps, his unassuming presence.The way he’d pledged himself to me and stayed unflinching at my side through every slight and hardship until he was accepted as part of the rebel court.
I had been pretty lost myself at the time, still figuring out my place in this brave new world.And he knew that.He had made no demands.Voiced no complaints.Just offered quiet solidarity.Safe space.For both of us.
“I remember,” I said aloud.
He shifted closer.I loved you immediately.I liked that you saw me for who I was.And that you never asked anything of me that I didn’t already want to give you.And I loved how you were strong enough to take me in and care for me, to stand up for me, while still honoring your connections with the others.I admired how strong you were to be able to walk that line.This is the same.
My magic flowed between us, warm and honey-gold.It flowed through him, and I felt it lingering at the curve of his neck, glowing brighter at the place where I’d so recently focused all my magic.I had nearly lost him.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured.“I know it must bother you after how loyal you’ve been to me.But...I can’t choose sides.I’m worried about you, Cicely.I’m heartbroken that you were hurt.That I almost lost you.And yet...I’m terrified for Josh.I know it nearly destroyed him to be used that way.To hurt you.”
He touched my cheek—slow, deliberate—and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.I understand.And I’m still here.Still yours.If you want me.
I frowned at him.“Why on earth wouldn’t I want you?”
There was the sadness I had sensed in him before.Tinged with something else.Wistfulness, regret?I’m sorry I’m not as strong as the others,he said, his warm voice in my mind so quiet it was like he whispered mentally.As if he knew his words were absurd.I’m not as fast, or hardy, or as good in a fight.
I reached for his hands, fumbling until I was able to give them both a squeeze.“What are you talking about?First of all, youarestrong.But more importantly...it’s not as if I compare the people I love against one another every day to determine who would do best in a fight!”
He made a rough wheezing-cough sound that I knew just laughter escaping his damaged throat.I know it’s a silly concern.But I’m not exactly unaware that as a beta and a lesser fae I’m...soft.I’m a lover, not a fighter.Another of those soft, raspy laughs.
I rolled my eyes at him in a visual display of how stupid he was being.It didn’t warrant words.
He squeezed my hands again and pressed his forehead to mine, his soft curls brushing my skin, and the faintest hint of his little nubbly horns palpable through his glamour.But even though I know it’s silly, I can’t help but beat myself up over the fact that any of the others would have been able to fend off Josh’s attack.He—or Acacia—went for the weakest person in the room.
I scoffed at him.“You’re right.She went forme, if you’ll recall.You just put yourself in the way.”
I felt him shrug.Didn’t I already say it doesn’t make sense?He sighed.
I reached for him and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.The moment felt weighted.“I willalwayswant you,” I said, a smile and tears warring inside me for dominance.“No matter if you’re a superpower, or a weak, wizened little old man.Your physical strength or magical ability isn’t why I love you.You aresomuch more than that.”
He touched my face again, fingers caressing the outlines of my features as if he was memorizing them.And that is why I love you.You see so much more in people than they ever see themselves.It’s why this whole court is hopelessly in love with you.
Then he kissed me, and I forgot what we were even talking about in the first place.The caress of his lips against mine was careful.Measured.Familiar, but questioning, asking whether we were okay.
I’m not angry with you.Or with the others.Even Josh.If anything I feelsorryfor him.You’re right.For a beta to hurt someone like that—and someone who calls him a friend.It will be much harder on him than me, I think.His mental tone held a wry note.Though...the sight and smell of blood might make me a tad squeamish for a while.
