Page 48 of Emerald Flame
Chapter Seven
Kiara stared down at the stacked-up leathers and tanks, the latest send-over from Mary-via-Fergus. She was especially struck by the pile of socks and three pairs of boots. “What is all this?”
Warren chuckled. “Mary’s hand again.”
Kiara touched the socks. “They’re so soft.”
“Cashmere.”
She turned to him, and felt her brows lift almost to her hairline. “For battling?”
“Why the hell not?” But he was smiling. “It’s a superstition. I was wearing them when I got hurt. Tonya always bought them for me.” He shrugged, but didn’t say anything more.
“I get it. It’s a way to remember the good parts of your life. The human part.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. It’s also a talisman.”
Kiara had brought Warren back to her burrow apartment within her invisibility spell. Fortunately, no one had been within the foyer to see the front door magically open and close. She’d never made this part of her witchy skill-set public knowledge. Of course, after recent events, everyone would know.
Wolves were nervous enough around witches as it was. The severely damaged women she brought into her refuge didn’t need yet another reason to distrust their surroundings.
Warren had showered while she’d climbed into the grotto pool and floated off the remains of the battle. The storm had gone a long way to cleaning them both up.
“How are Ralph, Susie and the wolves settling in?” he asked.
She’d been on the phone earlier to check in. “Good. My main therapist has talked to each of them individually and they’ve shared a meal. It’s a beginning. But what happened at the club was a severe, traumatic event. They’ll need time.”
He glanced around. “I still can’t believe all this exists.” He swiped a hand through the air. “Your refuge, I mean.”
“I’m sure you’re still getting used to the idea. Though, right now, I’m grateful I had the foresight, both for your sake and theirs. You’re all safe here.”
His hair was almost dry as he lost the towel and started getting dressed. She took a step back and watched him.
He smiled as he met her gaze. “See anything you like?”
“You’re a god, Warren. Everything about your body is beautifully balanced.”
Another smile teased the edges of his lips.
“And you definitely don’t do that enough.”
“What?” His brow furrowed as he zipped up his leathers.
“Smile.” She wanted to kiss him, but didn’t dare. She knew his alpha-mating cycle was peaking and it seemed to take so little to get either of them going. “So, when is Fergus heading over here?”
He narrowed his eyes as if considering. “Twenty-three minutes and counting.” That’s when she saw it. His damaged eye was open even more. Was it her imagination, or were the silvery scars on his face thinning as well.
She drew close, touched him then gasped. “Have you seen your face, your eye? It’s open even more. Can you see better?”
“I did notice the scarring, that it had flattened somewhat. And yes, I can see better.”
She had a towel wrapped around her body. His gaze fell to her chest. He touched one of her scars. “It’s the same for you, isn’t it?”
A panicky sensation jolted her. “But how is this possible? It’s as though we’re both being healed.”
He shook his head. “Like everything else that’s going on, I don’t want to think about it too much.”
She turned away from him and headed to the bathroom. “I have to dry my hair. You can head to the dining room for a bite. I talked to the staff.”
