Page 135 of Craving Carla

She sits up suddenly, then winces, falling back against the pillow with a groan. Her hand flies to her forehead. “Instant headache.”

I’m off the bed in a flash, dashing to the bathroom. I run a washcloth under warm water, wring it out, and return to the bed.I place it gently over her forehead, and she moans at the warmth of it.

“I don’t know how to help you with a headache,” I admit, feeling oddly helpless. “Do witches take aspirin?”

She laughs at that, the sound warming me from the inside out. Even in pain, her laughter is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

“Are you thirsty? Hungry?” I ask, already thinking about what I could bring her.

She tries to sit up again, and this time I help her, propping pillows against the headboard to support her.

“Why does it feel like my entire body is sore?” she mutters, shifting uncomfortably. “Limbo sucks.”

I laugh, sliding out of bed. “I’ll get you something to eat and drink.”

She shakes her head, reaching for me. “No, stay.”

It’s hard to deny her anything when she looks at me like that, with those dark eyes full of need. I slide back into bed and pull her into my arms, feeling her relax against me.

“Do you remember anything?” I ask, my chin resting on the top of her head.

“I remember everything,” she says, her voice quiet. “And unfortunately, it’s not good news.”

I wait, giving her space to tell me in her own time.

“I met Tabatha in limbo,” she continues. “She said the veil won’t lift until I’m ready.”

“Ready for what?” I ask, my fingers tracing idle patterns on her arm.

“Tabatha was cryptic,” Carla sighs. “Something about me being queen of limbo.”

I chuckle, not surprised by this revelation. “Well, we knew you were at least a doorway, but I already knew you were a queen.”

She frowns up at me, and I smile at the way her brow furrows.

“The visit was pointless,” she says, frustration evident in her voice. “The veil isn’t lifted.”

“But Tabatha didn’t say it would be this way forever,” I point out, trying to offer some hope.

Carla sighs and rests her head against me. “I just want to be whole with you.”

I gently rub the top of her head, my other hand making slow circles on her back. “I will take you as you are,” I tell her softly. “Even if the veil never lifts, I will make my peace with it. As long as I get to stay with you. That’s all that matters to me.”

She looks up at me with a smile that lights up her entire face. “For an asshole, you always say the sweetest things. It’s maddening.”

I chuckle, tightening my arms around her. “I’m an asshole in love.”

Her expression shifts, frustration replacing the momentary happiness. “It feels like there’s nothing more I can do other than wait,” she says. “It’s not fair.”

I stay quiet, letting her work through her feelings.

“Tabatha said she could see us,” Carla continues. “That she knows how much you love me. That you would live in limbo for all eternity as long as you could be with me.”

“Tabatha is a smart woman,” I reply, meaning every word.

“No,” Carla says firmly, sitting up to frown at me. “I don’t want that. I don’t want to pull you into darkness.”

I run a finger over her lips, stopping her protest. “It’s too late, Carla,” I tell her, my voice low and serious. “I’m too far gone. You own me. I’ve been in darkness until I found you.”

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