Page 209 of Bitten & Burned
Quil huffed out a laugh at that. “Alright, sweetheart. Then we pack lightand we head out.”
Dmitri stepped forward and wrapped his cloak around my shoulders, pulling the oversized hood up to cover my head. It was warm, thick, and smelled of him—and was more than enough to keep me dry in the rain.
Wrapped in Dmitri’s cloak, I moved closer to the door. Quil was already there; he nudged my arm with his thumb, his touch brushing over the back of my hand. I caught his gaze and held it.
Outside, the rain fell in buckets, large drops slapping against the cloak and soaking Quil immediately. It would be a long journey in these conditions—but I was determined, and therefore so were Quil and Dmitri.
Thirty-Three
FILTHY
Kravenspire, Sol, Verdune
2 Vony, Year 810
Though the entireordeal was only a few hours through the woods, I had severely pushed myself beyond what I should have, and Quil ended up having to carry me as we drew nearer to Halemont.
Once we’d arrived, I had gone straight to bed—after greeting and hugging everyone, of course. It had all honestly been a blur of movement, of voices. Of worries and fears. Of hugs and kisses. But then Anton slipped his arm around my shoulder and steered me back to my room. He tucked me in and promptly climbed into bed with me, holding me against his chest.
Quil moved to follow.
“Give me some space, lover-boy,” Anton said. “You’ve spent the last few days in a cave with her. I just want some time alone.”
“Quil, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I promised, and he had gone, though he’d lingered at the door before leaving.
Sleep came quickly, wrapped in Anton’s arms, his lips pressing to my temples like he couldn’t believe I was still here.
“I love you, my darling… don’t you ever do this to me again…”
The sun dipped low, painting the settee where I was lying in gold while I balanced a cup of tea in one hand and scratched behind Fig’s warm ears with the other. The conservatory got great sun at this time of day, and I loved taking advantage of it while the coven slept.
A throw blanket had fallen to the floor earlier; I tugged it back over my waist as I settled myself on the sofa with my cat and my tea. Finally comfortable. Finally content.
I watched the sun fade into cooler gray moonlight, stretching across the floor. My candles flickered—I glanced up and saw him. Quil. Standing before my fireplace. Shoulders tight, jaw ticking.
In contrast to the gentle energy I’d been cultivating that evening, Quil radiated anxiety. Frustration…even anger?
I swallowed my tea and set the cup down.
“Quil? What’s wrong?”
The bond surged—sharp and staccato, sparking like static as he swallowed hard.
“I wanted to… sleep in your bed last night, but it’s okay that you didn’t, but… by Camarae, Rowena…I was scared when you were taken…”
I blinked. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” he growled, but let his shoulders slump again, “You almost died.”
“I know, but I?—”
“You almost died,” he repeated, moving closer, reaching for me, dragging my hand to his chest, where his heart beat slowly, but steadily.
“You aremy heart, Rowena,” he ground out, his voicebreaking on my name. “You are the blood in my veins. And if you die? I’m gone.”
“Quil, gods…I can’t be the only thing keeping you?—”
“Alive?” he finished, a humorless chuckle tearing out of him. “No. But you’re the thing keeping me…me. And I’m not sorry about that. Without you, I’m just…a vampire. An animal. Feral. With you, I’m someone. I’m soft. I’m gentle. I’msomeone’s.”
