Page 97 of Spellbound & Speechless
“I think…” I stop when we’re a few feet from the house. “I need to focus on being your protector for now. Just until we take care of the witch.”
No distractions. I won’t lose her. I won’t lose anyone.
“You’ve always been my protector,” she says, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not doing a good job at protecting you anymore.” I fight the fear of losing her, squeezingher fingers tighter. “I just… need to lock in, if that makes sense. Not just for you—for everyone. For your family.”
Her lower lip trembles. “But we’re mates. We just had a party yesterday, and I want to keep celebrating. I want to go to that motel and make love.”
“I know. I do, too.” I roll my eyes, knowing how ridiculous I sound. “But look at how our celebration turned out. Your sister got hurt. That’s on me.”
“It’snot. I already told you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I won’t let anything like that happen again.”
Aspen is the best distraction I could ask for, but she’s still a distraction. I let my guard down once at the party and again last night. Sleeping out here was a bad idea, even though I won’t say it aloud.
We should have checked on Juniper. We should have slept in the warded house. What the hell was I thinking?
Aspen and I wanted to be alone last night, but we needed to be safe. Now, I have to get my mind straight, and I hope she knows I’m doing it for her—for us.
“You’re not breaking up with me,” she says. “I won’t allow it.”
“Aspen!” I laugh and stop walking, pressing my lips to her forehead. “Don’t be silly. No. I’m not. Never that.” I hold her shoulders and squeeze.
“Thenwhat?” She glares and pulls out of my embrace. “You’re taking a vow of celibacy until the witch is gone? Do you hear how that sounds?”
My chest feels empty the second she’s away from me. It’s only a few inches of space, and it should be fine, but I need her close.
This is why we’re fucked. Iwanther to distract me, don’t I?
“I don’t know.” I run my fingers through my hair, which is already standing up in all directions. “You make it sound ridiculous. Would that be so crazy?”
“Yes!” She laughs, but somehow, there’s no humor in it. “Considering that you couldn’t keep your hands off me days ago, yes. It’s strange for us. Like, are you okay?”
The question breaks me.
I shake my head, pressing my lips together. “No. I’m not okay. Seeing my mom there, and her almost getting hurt. And then, Juniper, who has always been so kind to me… and you. The witch wantedyou.”
“She didn’t. It’s a ruse. No one wants my magic.”
“That’s not what she said.” I cross my arms. Aspen still isn’t taking this seriously enough.
“I’m fine, but you’re right about one thing. I need to check on Juniper.” Aspen’s face falls, and she glances warily at the house. “I guess there’s a lot for both of us to focus on.”
“There is. We’ve both been distracted.”
She flinches and says nothing, staring at the red door. “Last night… I know it was hard for you. I’m so sorry.”
It was, but I can’t keep dwelling on it.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “I don’t want to keep repeating the past—my mother’s past. My past. We need to change our circumstances to have a better future, and for that to happen…”
Her lower lip trembles. “We need to get rid of the witch.Together.”
“We’re mates. Taking some time to focus on this won’t keep us apart. Nothing will. Nothing can.”
“We’re stronger together. You know that.”
