Page 60 of Witch's Fate

She was so lucky to have these people—although she didn’t even know most of them by name—willing to help her. Her gaze was drawn to Malcolm, lying still on the bed.

Although their past had torn out her heart and he was at fault for their current predicament, she felt almost a little lucky to have him too. He had done everything in his power to protect her. He was lying to her because he’d tried to protect her. His theft of the dagger had gotten her into this mess, but if they could get out of it, she could almost forgive him for it.

She knew it was a bad idea, but she climbed into bed next to him and curled up on top of the comforter. She reached out a hand and laid it on his shoulder. His warmth comforted her.

Gods, she didn’t want any more reasons to care for him. She had too many as it was. On top of her memories, she now could accept that he’d essentially been brainwashed into becoming a warlock. Not to mention his constant attempts to save her life. He’d made terrible choices in the past—unforgivable choices, no matter his upbringing—but she was falling for him.

She couldn’t help it.

And it would be the end of her.

Warmth suffused one side of Malcolm’s body. Sofia’s scent overwhelmed him. His eyes snapped open. Bright morning sun filtered through the mullioned windows. He glanced right.

She lay curled up against his side, her dark hair gleaming in the light. She wore all her clothes—even her jacket. Dust covered it.

The sight brought back a memory of the night before. The witches charging into the dungeon after Felix had busted through the wall. They’d thrown a blast of magic at them and then…

Nothing.

He remembered nothing after that.

No doubt he’d been knocked out. Sofia had saved him? His brother?

The questions were driven from his mind when she shifted, wrapping an arm around his waist.

Satisfaction and comfort enveloped him.Thisis what he’d wanted all these years. Not just her body or her wit or her strength, but her constant companionship. When he’d first met her, he’d known without a doubt that he’d found his mate, a concept that had only been whispered about amongst his people.

It’d been an entirely foreign notion for a boy raised by sorcerers. Not all sorcerers were like his clan, but he hadn’t realized that until he’d been far older. No one in his village had had a mate. It was impossible. They worshipped power tothe point that becoming a warlock was the ultimate goal. Theonlygoal.

Most of the adults had been warlocks—unable to love another without fate tearing it from their grasp. That extended to children as well. Children were conceived and raised out of necessity, not love. The desire to pass on their line was strong amongst his people, as it was amongst Mytheans and mortals alike.

He remembered being on a trip to the village with his friend Corbin as a boy. A street performer had been singing a ballad about love, a word he’d never even heard. Girls had been gazing at the singer, their eyes gleaming. He and Corbin had watched, completely perplexed. They’d only figured out the meaning of the word through context in the song. It’d barely made sense to him.

Not until he’d met Sofia.

And then he’d fucked things up.

He shook the thought away. He would win her back. Hehadto.

Sofia shifted.

He glanced at her. Her eyes flew open, confused.

He pulled her toward him and kissed her hard, then pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers. “Bloody hell, I was afraid I’d lost you.”

She scrambled up until she sat next to him.

“You’re all right.” There was relief in her voice. She reached out to touch his chest, then drew her hand away.

“What happened?” he asked.

The story she told of the Salem Coven made his brows rise. When she finished, he asked, “Everyone is here?”

“I think so. Felix said they would stay. Inara has to tell us what the Salem Coven knows about me.” Worry flashed across her features. She climbed out of bed.

He rose and his gaze followed her across the room. Kitty jumped off the chair by the fire and followed her.

“I’m going to shower,” she said. “Then let’s all meet in the kitchen.”

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