Page 28 of Bearly Believable Romance

Tabitha tore herself free, clawing her way up from the suffocating depths. She kicked and thrashed, punching through the cloying layers of the nightmare like a drowning woman breaching the surface of a fathomless sea. Bram’s voice grew louder, clearer, a blazing beacon guiding her back.

With a ragged, wheezing gasp, Tabitha’s eyes flew open. She jolted upright, hands scrabbling at her bruised throat as she gulped in desperate lungfuls of air. Her heart was a wild, galloping thunder in her chest and her entire body trembled like a leaf in a gale.

But she was awake. Alive. The shadows retreated to the far corners of her mind, hissing their frustration, temporarily thwarted. Tabitha collapsed back against the sweat-soaked pillows tears of relief sliding unchecked down her face.

Bram was there in an instant, crushing her to the safety of his broad chest. “There you are,” he breathed, voice cracking with emotion. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Tabitha clung to him like a lifeline, burying her face in the crook of his neck as great, shuddering sobs wracked her battered frame. Bram held her through the storm, whispering fierce promises and declarations of love against her temple.

“What happened? You were thrashing and choking in your sleep. It looked like you were being strangled by some invisible force.” Bram’s normally deep voice was razor-edged with fear.

A shudder rippled through Tabitha at the memory. “The mage,” she rasped, her throat raw. “The one who attacked. It invaded my dream, tried to kill me.” A violent cough racked her frame and she doubled over, wheezing.

Bram swore under his breath. “Hold on, let me get you some water.”

He pressed a kiss to her sweaty brow before slipping out of bed. Tabitha immediately felt bereft without his comforting embrace. She curled in on herself, trying to will away the lingering sensation of icy fingers around her neck.

Bram was back in seconds, a glass of cool water in hand. He helped Tabitha sit up, supporting her as she sipped carefully. The liquid soothed her scratchy throat, chasing away the last cobwebs of the nightmare.

“This can’t keep happening,” Bram bit out, barely leashed fury vibrating beneath his skin. “It’s not enough that this person almost killed you once, now they’re attacking you in your sleep?”

Tabitha reached out to lay a calming hand on his arm. “Bram, it will be okay.”

“You could have died. Again.”

Tabitha cupped his face between her palms, forcing him to meet her gaze. The pain in his eyes tore at her heart.

“You won’t lose me,” she said fiercely. “I’m not going anywhere. This mage caught me off guard once, but it won’t happen again. Attacking me in the dream realm was a mistake. Because now? Now I can fight back on my terms.”

Determination crystallized in Tabitha’s chest, diamond-hard and unbreakable. She wasn’t some helpless damsel waiting to be rescued. She was a witch, a protector, a force to be reckoned with.

Closing her eyes, Tabitha reached for her magic, letting it flow through her veins like molten sunlight. She wove it around herself, a glimmering shield of protection and power. Intricate spells spilled from her lips - ancient wards to guard her sleeping mind, alarms to alert her of any foreign presence, counter-curses to deflect malicious workings.

When she opened her eyes again, they glowed an eerie green, lit from within by the strength of her magic. Bram watched her work, awe and pride slowly replacing the fear on his face.

“No one will ever breach my defenses again,” Tabitha declared, her voice ringing with unshakable conviction. “Not in body, mind, or spirit. I won’t be caught unaware a second time.”

Bram let out a shaky laugh, pulling her into the circle of his arms once more. “Have I ever told you how amazing you are? Strongest, bravest woman I know.”

Tabitha smiled against his neck, breathing in his comforting pine scent. “I couldn’t do any of this without you, you know. You’re my anchor, my strength.”

“We’ll figure out who’s doing this. And in the meantime...” He tucked her more securely against his broad chest, enveloping her in safety and love. “I’ll be right here to chase away the bad dreams.”

Cocooned in Bram’s embrace, wrapped in her own magic, Tabitha felt a deep sense of peace settle over her.

FIFTEEN

Tabitha stepped into Molly’s cozy apartment above the Bewitched Bakery, the aroma of freshly baked treats and savory delights enveloping her like a hug. The room buzzed with laughter and chatter, the faces of her newfound friends beaming with joy as they gathered around the colorful array of food boards.

Molly’s dessert board, a masterpiece of sweets and pastries, took center stage while Tabitha’s breakfast board, laden with fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and buttery biscuits, drew appreciative murmurs from the group. Celeste’s burger board, Daisy’s taco board, Ellie’s charcuterie board, and Ivy’s french fry board completed the mouthwatering spread.

“Girls, you’ve outdone yourselves!” Elsie exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with delight. “I’m so glad Luna and I finally got an invite to this little shindig.”

Luna nodded, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. “It’s about time. I was beginning to think you were trying to keep all the fun to yourselves.”

Laughter filled the room as the women filled their plates, the clink of glasses and the hum of conversation creating an inviting atmosphere. Tabitha sipped her wine, relishing the feeling of belonging that had eluded her for so long.

“So, who’s excited for the upcoming festival?” Daisy asked, her pink hair bobbing as she bounced on her toes. “I hear there’s going to be a Ferris wheel this year.”

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