Page 113 of Enchanted Kisses
Caiden coughed and a strangled, gargling sound erupted from his throat.
I opened my eyes.
Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth and down his cheek.
“No!”
I grabbed the knife on the nightstand I’d put there earlier for this very reason. The knife at my wrist, I was about to slice when Caiden grabbed my hand, stopping me.
He moved the knife to my palm—the exact spot I had cut in the dream. His hand fell away.
Goose bumps formed on my skin.
How could he have known unless the dream had been real?
I couldn’t think about that now. I needed to focus. Bracing myself for pain, I pressed the knife to my skin and sliced. Blood flowed from the stinging cut. Quickly, I moved my hand to his mouth.
He didn’t hesitate. His lips molded to my skin, just as they had in the dungeon.
The pressure was soft at first but grew stronger. His hand flew to my wrist—like in the dream—and he pressed my palm to his mouth.
I examined his body. His wounds had vanished. His lips carried their usual deep stain. His skin glistened with gold, and his matted hair shined with metallic streaks.
I smiled as tears blurred my vision. I knew it would work. I wiped my eyes. There would be plenty of time for crying later. Right now, I wanted to be in this moment with Caiden—my last moment with him.
Like in the dream, dizziness soon took over. With my wrist still to his mouth, I let my head fall to his chest, his sweet scent dizzying me further. Part of me wished he’d drain me completely—it would save me the misery of a future without him.
Caiden released his lips from my hand seconds before I slipped into darkness. Too weak to open my eyes, I lay with my cheek to his chest, listening to the powerful beat of his heart.
I wanted to lie there forever, knowing at any minute I could be forced away. If I could cross, I’d take us both far from here, to a place where Bianca couldn’t find us. Maybe to my mom and dad’s realm, wherever that was.
A soft hand slipped behind my neck and another went to my back. I was lifted then laid on the bed. The hands slipped away from my body. Then fingers grazed my cheek, tiny kisses trailing in their wake.
Maybe I had passed out and was dreaming. I forced my heavy lids open. Healthy, vibrant, and beautiful, Caiden rested on his side close to me, his head propped in his hand, his bright eyes gazing down at me.
I smiled and mumbled, “It worked.”
“Of course it did.” He grinned and stroked my cheek. “How do you feel?”
I wanted to reach up and touch him, tell him about my dream and ask why he looked so calm. Instead, I stared, knowing I would have to get used to doing only that.
To my surprise, he leaned down and pressed his warm, soft lips to mine. His cotton-candy taste filled my mouth. I should push him away. Tell him to stop. Bianca would be back any second. But I couldn’t.
I used what little energy I had left to lift my head and take in every last bit of him. He pressed into me, deepening the kiss, and soon, I was lost in his touch and taste. His hand slid behind my neck and lifted. His breathing quickened, as did mine, and heat spread throughout my body.
Feeling stronger, I tangled my fingers in his hair, never wanting the kiss to end.
Breathless and weakened from his delicious kiss, my hand fell from his hair to the bed and Caiden slowly pulled from my lips. Aglow, he smiled and brushed the tip of his nose over mine.
“I have to tell you something,” I whispered.
“Rest first.”
When I opened my mouth to speak, he silenced me with a gentle kiss. Across my lips, he whispered, “Thank you, for healing me agai—”
“Get off her!” Bianca shrieked from the doorway. In a flash, she appeared beside the bed.
Caiden shot upright and tucked me behind him. “Bianca, it’s all right. She healed me. See.” He lifted his arms. “She did it. The two of you did. I can’t thank you enough for rescuing me. I will forever be in your debt.” He took her hand and kissed the top. “If it weren’t for you both, I would have died. I am certain of it. Tonight, we shall celebrate. Why don’t you go and ready yourself?”
