Page 62 of Magic Touch
"I appreciate the save, but would you turn your back for a moment or two?"
A wide grin spreads across Henry's face before he stands and faces the woods.
William cups my cheek, runs his thumb over my bottom lip. "Esme." Threading his fingers through my hair, he pulls my lips down to his.
My body thrums with need and relief. I've never been as tired or as fully awake as at this moment. "I nearly lost you."
"I didn't want to leave you. Trina was drowning, and I jumped in to pull her out. No matter how hard I swam, I couldn't pull away from the bottom of the pool." He relaxes against my lap and arm. "You can turn around again, Henry."
Henry's brows are pinched, and he points to the water. "You're a strong swimmer, and that pool has little current."
"When I arrived, I tried to lift you out, but couldn't move you. That's why I pulled the water away." Had some dark magic gotten hold of them? I had no sense of evil until I sent my magic to the bottom of the pool.
"Quick thinking," William says.
Henry stands with his fists at his waist. "Why would anyone want to kill you and Miss Trina? What does anyone gain from your deaths?"
"I cannot say." William sits up, closes his eyes, and draws two deep breaths. "I think, if you will both assist, I can make the journey to the cottage."
It is slow, and we are all three exhausted by the time we reach the cottage.
Prudence stands guard at the front door and ambles down to us when we reach the yard. "I've drawn a bath for you, William. It's hot and has what you'll need to recover."
"Is Trina well?" he asks.
"Fine, though shaken. Anne is caring for her, and I've sent for Brianna. She's a fine healer and will stay the night in case we need her."
At William's bedroom door, I stop and let Henry close the door. He will help William.
While I stare at the closed door, my tears begin again.
Prudence wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Come. You need to change out of this wet dress, and you can tell me what happened.
I spare only a few minutes to tell Prudence of the events at the bathing pool. Once I help her settle at the desk in the parlor, I leave her to write a letter to the coven.
Henry, carrying William's muddy clothes and shoes, turns the corner toward the back of the house.
I probably should rest in my own bed, but I knock on William's door.
"Come in, Esme."
There's comfort in him knowing it's me, and in our minds being opened once again.
In the copper tub with steam rising, he sits with his eyes closed. "I missed your clever mind in mine."
With the door closed behind me, I lean on the hard wood. "As did I miss hearing your thoughts."
When he looks at me, I see only love and perhaps worry. "Will you not come closer?"
"I don't want to intrude. I only needed to see you are well." My hand curls around the door handle, but I don't want to go anywhere.
He reaches his hand toward me. His broad shoulders flex with the effort. "Come closer, sweetheart."
There is a chair next to the tub with a towel and William's robe. I lift the items and sit, then clutch them in my lap. "I have never been more terrified than when I sensed you were in danger." It's a hard thing for me to admit, but if I don't let it out, I'll burst with the terror hiding inside me.
His chest lifts and falls with a heavy sigh. "I am alive, thanks to you. There is no need for that tremor in your voice."
Touching his damp neck and tracing a line to his shoulder, I breathe a little easier. Still, my heart aches with fear. "I couldn't move you from the bottom. Something clutched at you and kept you from me." My tears flow freely.
