Page 205 of Bitten & Burned
“No, I…” He peered into my eyes. “That’s what it feels like?” His gaze cut down to the wound, his hand on my leg, but not on the sigil. His thumb brushed softly over my inner thigh.
“A fraction of it, but yeah…”
He surged forward and kissed me, inhaling like he was trying to drink me through his nose before stopping, and pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I countered. “I’m sorry you have to feel it…”
He shook his head. “Isn’t it my fault, though? It’s my family.”
I arched an eyebrow. “You know damn well it’s not your fault. It’s Silas’s.”
He closed his eyes. “I should have killed him. Bastard. He just… he said he could help you, and I… I hesitated. ”
Leaning over, I cupped his jaw and kissed his lips. I ran my fingers through his hair with the other hand. “I love you. You saved me, that’s all I can ask for.”
“I love you. I’ll always save you,” he replied, pressing his head to mine again. “Anytime the pain becomes too much, you tell me. I’ll take it for you. As often as I can,” he promised.
I was halfway to kissing him again when a sound reached my ears.
Footsteps.
I snapped my legs together and grabbed one of the furs to cover myself.
“Stay here,” Quil said, rising to stand in front of me as he peered at the cave’s entrance. His legs were bent slightly, his arms and back rigid. I could see the outlines of every muscle, every ripple as he held them tight, ready to attack if needed. A predator in prey-mode. Ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
He crept closer to the cave’s opening and peered out.
He sighed heavily in relief, straightening suddenly like he was annoyed. “Fucking hells, Dmitri, announce yourself next time.”
My shoulders slowly unknit as Dmitri’s large frame stood in the door.
“Vael sent me,” he said. “He was worried… I left him at your apartment.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
“We all were worried,” Dmitri continued. “I ran to Caer Voss, and when you weren’t there, I figured Quil’d bring you where he thought would be safest.”
“I…” I trailed off. I had no right to give him platitudes. It was my own fault that this had happened. My own hubris and naivety.
“Where’s Vael?” I asked, looking behind Dmitri towards the waterfall.
“He’s back at your apartment, tidying. He’ll meet us back at the manor. He’s taking Fig back there as well.”
“Oh, I thought he might...” I trailed off. I had no right to expect such things from him.
Dmitri moved closer, sitting on the ground near me.
“He wanted to come, Rowena, but he also wanted to take care of things in Caer Voss. He’s making sure Thalia knows you’re safe, and cleaning up after Quil.”
Quil looked sheepish. “I might have rushed out the door suddenly. Knocked some things over. I’ll have to thank Vael…”
“Thalia’s alright?” I asked.
“She’s fine. Frightened for you, but otherwise fine,” Dmitri replied.
“And Vael?”
“Vael was… as to beexpected.”
