Page 130 of Enchanted Kisses
He didn’t flinch away.
Eyes closed, I envisioned Caiden’s skin smooth, healed, and as gold as the day I’d first seen it. Then I relived every moment we had ever shared, starting with the day we met my senior year in the high school courtyard. The first time my eyes locked with his exquisite turquoise blues and every time after.
Several minutes later, I lowered my hands and sat back, smiling. Peace warmed my heart in a way I hadn’t felt since before I’d lost Caiden.
“I’d almost forgotten what it was like to have you in my life. For what it’s worth, thank you for the memories, even if it’s all I’ll ever have.” I glanced at his leg, though I didn’t need to, to know it had worked. “You’re healed. You should leave quickly before I’m tempted to burn you again,” I teased and pushed onto my knees.
When I stood, Caiden clutched my wrist and pulled me down to him.
“Kidding.” I raised my brows. “But seriously, you should go. I wouldn’t want your fiancée showing up here. She’s got a temper.” Tiny kisses crept up my arm from my wrist, where his fingers clasped the skin. “What are you doing?”
I wanted to pull my arm away, but I couldn’t. I loved the sensation kissing up my skin. I missed it. I wanted to feel it all over my body. Just a few more seconds, then I’d pull away.
“You healed me.” Caiden’s tone was tender.
“My last act as a healer. I doubt there’ll be a need for it up there.” I glanced at the ceiling.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Caiden took my other hand.
Kisses fluttered up my arm to my elbow. My eyes closed and my insides melted. I exhaled a breath I felt I’d been holding for a month.A little while longer won’t hurt. I’ll store this memory with my others of Caiden as a good-bye present.
He let go of one hand and cupped my cheek.
Unable to keep from doing so, I leaned into his palm and closed my eyes. Tiny kisses spread down my neck, soft and warm, caressing my skin like silk.
“You have to let me go now,” I breathed.
“Never,” he said, his voice so quiet I almost missed it. He cupped both cheeks and drew me to him. When his lips pressed into mine, I knew I’d regret it.
I should move away or tell him to stop. What exactly had Raysa told him to do? Wait! Had he saidnever?
I put my hands to his chest and pushed myself away. “Caiden?”
His turquoise eyes shimmered. “Lily, can’t you feel it? You healed me from everything, including Bianca’s spell.”
I cursed my breath for quickening and my heart for fluttering. I had to remain in control. This could be a trick, even if it didn’t make sense.
His hands moved to the top of mine. Slowly, they glided up to my bare shoulders. My skin tickled with kisses that raised goose bumps on my arms.
“I remember everything. I…” His hands stopped moving. “Lily, I’m so very sorry for what I did, for how I treated you. I never would have done any of those things had it not been for Bianca. Tell me you can forgive me.”
Before, when Caiden was under Bianca’s spell, his touch was as empty as his stare. Could this be real? Could I have healed him completely?
“I’m afraid,” I said. “Who’s to say she won’t do it again? I couldn’t live through losing you twice.”
“Maybe you didn’t break the spell.”
My guard shot back up. I sucked in a breath and leaned away again.
He reached for me. “That’s not what I meant.”
Before I could stop him, he pulled me onto his lap.
I kept my hands close to my chest, afraid to give in to the longing inside, urging me to touch him and close the small space between us.
“You have to feel it, too.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “It’s all back, and the connection between us is stronger because of your vow. I think that’s what broke the spell, or what allowed your healing powers to unbind me.”
I couldn’t look into his eyes. “That was a dream. It wasn’t real. I must have passed on the memory when I healed you.”
