Page 129 of Cursed Evermore
Arielle gazed up at him, her face lightening up at the idea of being with him. “Really? You’d let me stay with you?”
“Of course. I’ll even make you that pumpkin tea you like.”
“I’d love that.” She beamed, clasping her hands.
“I know.”
Bastard.He was scared, too. Scared he could have lost Arielle tonight.
He looked at me and straightened. “Stay here and get some sleep. Best you don’t move around too much. I’ll come back and check on you in the morning.”
“Sure. See you then.”
“Rest up, Wolfe,” Arielle said, tapping my arm. She leaned forward and planted a kiss on my forehead, feeling like another sister to me again.
The two left arm in arm, casting final glances of concern at me. The instant the door clicked shut, I shuffled forward and decided to test my strength.
There was no way I was going to sit in here waiting to heal.
I pushed off the cot, legs trembling as I tested my limit. Pain dragged against every inch of me, but I was steady enough to walk. So, I did.
I kept my shirt off and left the bay, making my way to Elariya’s room.
Once I opened her door, I found her lying on the bed looking like a broken doll. A broken doll with so many bruises covering her face and neck there was hardly a patch of skin that wasn’t marred by the offensive black and blue color.
And she looked drained. Gaunt even. Like the tortured souls with hollow faces who lined the gateway to the underworld.
The shadow of guilt stitched itself into my skin. This wouldn’t have happened to her had she not known me.
I wasn’t supposed to feel guilt for my prisoners, but I made her the exception to the rule.
I moved closer to the bed, pulled up a nearby chair, and sat beside her.
Moonlight and candlelight combined across her chest, guiding my focus there.
So much had happened tonight, I doubted she’d noticed that some elements of her magic had returned. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to help her survive.
It seemed that fear was her trigger, but it had its limits.
She’d portaled when she’d seen the wraith, and tonight, she harnessed air when she needed it.
I’d figured out that her basic elemental power had to be air when she managed to hold her breath for so long and at such a depth in the sea.
Her magic was still weak, but it must have come to her aid in her time of need.
My gaze drifted to her face, wondering how our next conversation would go.
The bottom line was she’d tried to escape. I couldn’t blame her. I would have done the same thing if I were her, especially if what appeared to be a loved one risked their lives to rescue me.
Elariya had also seen my Deathwalker powers tonight. She may not have known I was cursed but she would have guessed just from looking at me in that form that my powers extended beyond the Fae.
But she hadn't cowered from me. When the darkness took over my body and death wore my face, placing its lips on hers, she embraced me.
She saw past the darkness to whatever remained of the male beneath and needed me.
As if she could hear my thoughts, her hand twitched against the dark, silky sheet. I leaned forward and placed mine on top of hers. She was asleep but gripped my finger and held on like she knew I was the monster who would keep her safe.
Those were more dangerous thoughts for me. But I couldn’t resist.
