Page 71 of Malcolm

“I existed in a form of hell for a long time, and even when I walked into the light, I was still in the dark,” he turned, ascending the steps into his apartment. “She’s the only thing that brightens my world, but she’s more powerful and dangerous than anything I’ve ever seen.” He walked over and placed her on the bed gently. "And I would let her destroy everything around us until there was nothing left if it would make her smile.”

Agun tensed, hearing the sincerity in Malcolm's voice. “Alpha?”

Malcolm stood and turned, taking the bag from Agun. “Do you now understand?”

Angus swallowed before giving a short nod.

“Good, now leave.”

Agun quickly left.

Malcolm watched him go, unbothered. He wouldn’t take the words back; he’d let the world burn around her while she stoodsafe in the center. He’d known it the minute he saw her; he was more hers than she was his.

He put her bag down, went to her side, sat on the floor, and took her hand. “Love, you can’t leave me. I’m okay with being seen as pathetic; hell, I don’t even care what others think about me. But if you leave, I don’t know what I would do.” He pressed his forehead to her hand. “I can only beg you not to turn me into a madman.”

A Dangerous Game

Eliza

The minute Eliza woke up, she knew something must’ve happened. The room she was in wasn’t as big as the log cabin she’d decided to share with Morgan and Lilly. She winced as she felt her head throbbing; her body felt like a truck had slammed into it. Pushing up, she looked around the room and quickly realized just whose cabin she was in.

She’d seen it last night when Malcolm had summoned her to send his man to the Dougal land. She groaned, only to grimace at the sharp stab of pain that radiated up her spine. Not botheringto move, she turned her head to look out the window that’s curtain had been rolled up. She could see a few people milling about while others seemed to be speaking seriously about something.

The door opened, and she turned her head just in time to watch Malcolm enter with a platter in his hands. He strolled in, placed it on the table, and spotted her. “You’re awake.”

“It would seem so.”

He smiled, and she couldn’t help offering him one of her own. “I wasn’t sure how long you’d sleep; the healer here isn’t accustomed to dealing with witches.”

She frowned, deciding that though she wanted to remain lying, she would be disadvantaged if she didn’t get up. Malcolm came to her side as she went to move, saying, “Wait, I’ll help you.”

While she wanted to stop him, she wasn’t going to. Her body was too exhausted; as she looked at her symptoms, she knew she’d overexerted her magic. Most witches would pass out before they hit such a breaking point and usually stayed in a coma for a few days afterward. Waking up the day after with only aching muscles was a miracle.

She let Malcolm lift her. He grabbed a few pillows from the other side and stuffed them behind her back. “I didn’t know when you would wake up, so I had Morgan make a plate for you.”

He moved away, grabbed the food tray, and brought it to her side. “It’s just cheese, bread, and fruit. Most of us are eating light before the first feast.”

She looked from the food selection to Malcolm’s face. “No one.” She paused, searching for the words. She swallowed. “I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?”

He paused with his hand over the knife on the trey. “No,” he continued, picking up the knife. “No one was hurt, but this has caused some worry from those who have little trust in witches.”

She scoffed. “I’m not exactly the perfect example of our kind,” she said, looking at her pale-colored hand. “I could only make their impression worse.”

“No, don’t say that,” Malcolm said, his voice hard. “It’s not your fault what happened to you.”

“But I’m the one who is left to take responsibility.”

He frowned; she ignored the pull in her arms to reach out and cover his hand with hers. “I’m not sad or hurt. I came here with my problems and made great friends, so if a few people don’t like me. It’s not the end of the world.”

His expression softened. “You’re too kind.”

Surprised, Eliza laughed. “Well, that’s the first time I’ve been called that.”

“You could hate them and choose to leave here,” he insisted as he grabbed the brown loaf and began cutting a piece off. “But you don’t; I’m sure you could eliminate them and their thoughts.”

“I have power, but it’s not something I was born with.” Eliza looked at her hand, opening and closing it. “I don’t think about it as easily as you do; it’s something like a curse that’s been placed on me. I was a dub witch with only enough magic to create a seal or a talisman. Yet here I am with power that could shake mountains and wipe out a city.” She dropped her hand, staring ahead. “I don’t know if it’s being kind or just not being accustomed to being this strong.”

“Here.” She blinked as he shoved a piece of toast with a thick slab of butter in her face. “Eat, and then we will contemplate whether you are kind.”

---