Page 27 of Blood Sweeter than Honey

My throat works as reality, and all the trauma of the day settles on my chest like a boulder. When I’d told Harlan where I was from, he’d looked at me like I’d grown a sphincter on my forehead, and his reaction to seeing my wounds rapidly healing was a shock of comical proportions. Just as Violette mentioned, it’s clear to me that the use of magic here is virtually non-existent.

This man probably thinks I’m insane. His world is magicless, and despite being little more than a peasant—the sexiest fucking peasant I’ve ever laid eyes on—he has welcomed me into his home, instead of burning me at the stake, as hisforefathers likely would have considering the realm’s sordid history.

My eyes burn as I force them up to his. “Thank you. I… I realize that my presence here is burdensome, but until I can find my way home, I will be happy to complete any tasks or chores you assign me.”

Gideon’s brows leap as if those were the last words he’d expected to hear from me before he gradually nods. “Just get some rest. We’ll see what to do with you later.”

One of his large hands lands on my shoulder, and he gives it a lingering squeeze. Even through the thick blanket I’m wearing, I feel a jolt of energy pulse between us. When he takes his hand back, I become painfully aware of that ever-present, dull ache of loneliness in my chest. Turning, he shuts the door behind him, and my tears finally begin to fall.

GIDEON

Fuck me.My hand rubs at the ache in my sternum as I force myself to shut the bathroom door. I normally consider myself immune to the plight of others, but seeing that woman’s eyes swell with tears made me feel a particular sense of desperation I’m not sure I’ve ever known.

A desperation to pull her against my chest and soothe her, to fix all her problems and tell her everything’s gonna be ok.

Logic and self-preservation, however, won the battle against my hero-complex, thank the lord.

I had to force my mind to dredge up every reason not to comfort her. As soon as memories of Seraphine rushed in, I couldn’t close that bathroom door fast enough.

It took a long time for me to heal and become self-aware enough to recognize that my worth didn’t hinge solely upon what I could do or give someone to the point of detrimental self-sacrifice.

While the violent chaos that was my childhood, adolescence, and most of my adulthood until I retired from the military forced me to mature beyond my years, I was naive when it came to women. So in spite of Seraphine’s numerous red flags, I’d welcomed her into my life with open arms. Made her problems,my problems. I’ve always had a protective nature, especially when it comes to women, after witnessing how my stepdad treated my mother—until I was old enough and big enough to do something about it.

The remains of my step-father, Ret’s, body weren’t discovered until weeks after I’d killed him. Harlan had been the one to question me. He’d also been the one to clear my name of any suspicion regardless of the fact that I hadallthe probable cause. It didn’t hurt that Ret already had a criminal record as long as I am tall.

Shoving the past back into the shallow grave I’d long ago buried it in, I pull out a t-shirt, boxer briefs, and sweatpants for Winnow to change into after her shower. My dick completely ignores the voice of logic and hardens at the idea of Winnow’s bare skin touching my clothes.

WINNOW

Agood sob and an hour later, I’m beckoned into the hallway by the scent of braised meat. I find Gideon in the kitchen scooping something from a tall pot into a bowl. “I know it’s late, but I figured you could stand to put something warm in your belly.”

Fucking swoon.

I’ve never had someone cook for me who wasn’t getting paid for it. My lecherous mind instantly wanders to what other warm things he can put in my belly.

You were deceived, drugged, kidnapped, and mauled by a beast mere hours ago. How can you already be a slut for this male?

As if it will somehow silence my internal reprimands, I clear my throat just as Gideon slides a ceramic bowl and steaming mug of tea in front of where I take a seat at his counter.

“I’m gonna go take a shower while you get settled. Feel free to get seconds.”

Gideon’s eyes dip to where Trigger sits on his hindquarters glancing between us. The simple act of Gideon setting his eyes on him inspires a new wave of tail-wagging.

“And don’t let puppy eyes over here fool you. He’s been fed.Well.”

Trigger seems to understand his words and lets out a whiny groan as he finally lies down beside my seat.

When Gideon’s gaze lifts to mine, he stills. His eyes rove over me, dressed entirely in his clothes and probably looking far less deranged now that my skin and hair aren’t caked with mud and blood.

“How’d you get your hair to dry so fast?”

Despite Violette’s warning, I’m too exhausted to think of a lie and also relieved that I could muster that tiny bit of magic for even the most mundane of tasks. I can feel the glamour she put on me holding in place like a gossamer veil, but whatever the nature of this realm is, it makes me feel my connection to my power has waned to the faintest of threads–like a button holding on for dear life to an old cardigan.

“Magic.”

Gideon gives me a blank stare before leaving the kitchen as he huffs a sardonic laugh and shakes his head, muttering something about at least one of us being crazy.

It scratches at the loneliness in my chest, further inflamed by the sound of his bedroom door shutting.

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