Page 17 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
“Good,” I said. “Good girl. Keep the picture in your mind, okay?”
She nodded.
“I have to touch you for this next part,” I warned her. “Is it okay if I put my hands on your waist?”
She nodded again.
“I need you to tell me out loud, Teddy,” I said. “I need to know you’re okay with me putting my hands on you.”
Her eyes popped open and held mine, her slender throat bobbing when she swallowed. “You can touch me, Elias.”
Those words were like balm to my aching soul. And hearing my name on her lips...sweet agony. For a few beats, I allowed that torment to take me, knowingI’d never hear it again.
I rested my hands on her waist, and without thought, I leaned my head against her temple. She gripped my arms, and had we been in any other situation, my sigh would have been one of contentment rather than sorrow.
“Bring up your house again,” I said.
When she did, I saw it in my own mind. It was a small log cottage with many windows and a chimney. Chairs sat in front with trees surrounding her home.
“I need you to open the door,” I said.
She did.
“Good. Can you walk me to your bedroom?”
The picture flickered in my mind at her reluctance.
“This will all go away,” I reminded her. “I need to make sure you’re home safe first.”
Her home faded so that onlyshe stood before me.
“You won’t hurt me?” she asked.
I balked. “Hurt you?” I dug my fingers against her waist but loosened my hold before I could cause her any discomfort. “Teddy,” I stammered out.
She thought I could hurt her. Her, the one being I could never harm and would lay my life down for.
“Child,” Uncle Hudson said. “Do you truly believe this male is capable of harming you?”
I already had, though, hadn’t I?
By wanting to help, I’d caused her irrevocable harm.
“No,” Teddy whispered. “But I shouldn’t trust you, should I? I don’t know you, and your friend?—”
On the features of her face, I saw the way her anguish circled back to the male George had killed.
“This isn’t real, remember?” I interrupted, pulling her thoughts back to me. “We’re in a nightmare—you and me, and I’m the monster others need to fear. Not you. Never you.”
Her silent gaze ran over my face, and I let her see me, hoping she could somehow see how I felt. The barely controlled love I felt for her. The desire to be with her and take care of her.
She jerked back. “Will I see you again?”
“No,” I whispered.
Her sadness mingled with my misery.
“Because this isn’t real?” She paused. “Like my other dreams.”
