Page 52 of Morning's Light

“You may be my boss at work, and my elder in certain circles, And you could probably hex me into a toad, or even a daylily for one of your arrangements, but I’m going to be here for you regardless.”

She chuckled despite herself. When she did nothing but play with her food instead of eating it, Elon took the spoon from her and brought a bit of liquid to her lips.

“Eat. Even if it costs me my dignity when you try to kick my ass.”

“Try? No, sweetie, I do not try. I do.”

“I’m still feeding you.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she joked.

He ignored her dire prophecy and pushed the bowl closer. “It’s chicken, veggies, and rice. Now open up and eat. I’m serious.” Elon used his eyes to gesture. “Spoon, mouth.”

Aisanna let it slip through her lips, chewed and swallowed. “You know, I kind of like it when you’re bossy.”

“Just try to enjoy it. You were talking in your sleep, you know,” Elon said.

She stiffened. “What was I saying?”

“Mostly grunts, terrified squeaks. Something about a female, I gathered. You begged her not to take you, to please release you. You apologized to someone else but I didn’t catch the name.”

“All from a catnap?”

Her fingers gripped the sheets reflexively and she stilled the movement. It wasn’t safe for her to be there with him. Though she didn’t see the seed of evil planted, she didn’t have to. She felt it inside of her. She felt the scabs picking at her whenever she twisted and moved her arms.

They were not out of danger.

“Listen,” Elon began, “you have your opinion and I respect it. But it’s my prerogative versus your wishes. I’m staying. Or rather you’re staying, because at this moment in time you are at my mercy and I’m not ready to give you up.”

“That sounds like the beginning of a hostage situation,” she said with forced lightness.

“Only if it results in a healthy dose of Stockholm syndrome.”

Aisanna drew in a breath, her belly full and her heart empty. He was innocent, inexperienced when it came to danger. His eyes were only for her. What had she brought him into? Inadvertently, sure, after she’d tried to dissuade his attention. If anything happened to him, it would be on her shoulders. Another weight pushing her down.

Yet here she was, in a pair of Elon Fayer’s pajamas, in his bed, being fed by a man she’d considered hopeless. She etched the picture in her memory and vowed to never forget.

“Thanks for the pajamas. And the soup.” She shuffled to the edge of the bed and set her feet down on the carpet. The woven loops abraded her swollen skin. “Jesus. Walking is a bad idea.”

“Let me help you.”

“I’ve got it. I can heal myself.” She didn’t want any more of his help. He’d already done too much for her, seen too much. She sent a wave of magic lower and lower until a blanket of healing covered her soles. Within seconds the pain disappeared but exhaustion took its place. “Is there more soup?”

He leaned forward, careful not to jostle her. His smile was slow to come. When it did, the sweetness made her heart sputter. “Absolutely.”

Elon opened his mouth to speak again and she cut him off, two fingers against his lips. “I’m not going to explain it to you now. Maybe later, once I’ve figured a few things out. You sure you won’t leave? Even if I tell you that your life is in danger?”

“Sorry. I’m afraid you’ll have to deal with me a little longer.”

She only shook her head. “Can you help me outside? I need a little air.”

“Of course. Let me find some slippers for you.”

Aisanna watched him rush around the room and stifled a laugh. “I’m not Cinderella. I don’t need slippers— Oh, great. Yeah. That works. Thanks.”

She sat still while Elon slid soft cotton booties over her feet. It was a little embarrassing, she thought as he helped her down the hallway.

“I really want to know,” he said, “is it men in general you seize up around? Or just me?” He shook her arm to make it flop. “I either make you nervous or you need to seriously relax.”

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