Page 54 of Bitten & Burned
“But that moment didn’t destroy her. Vael did that.”
Quil blinked. “He fucked up.”
“He let go,” I said quietly. “When she needed to be held.”
He looked away, jaw clenching.
“She could have braced for cruelty from you. But not from him. Not then.”
His voice cracked. “I don’t trust myself. Not around her. Not to… You know… I don’t want to be bonded to her. Not because of her, because of me… Dmitri…”
I raised a hand. “It doesn’t matter right now what you feel. What matters is that she feels, and she’s broken right now. That’s the priority. Fixing her.”
He nodded slowly. “I’ll make sure she knows that she’s… cared for. Do you think she’ll talk to me…ever?” His voice was too careful, like he was afraid the question itself might shatter in the air between us.
“When she’s ready. And not a second before.”
He didn’t argue. Just looked at her one last time.
Then, without another word, he turned back to the window, climbed through it, and vanished into the pale, creeping dawn.
I’d have to leave her soon.
The pale pink glow was already bleeding into the conservatory, soft and insistent. Dawn.
I didn’t want to go.
Every part of me wanted to scoop her into my arms, carry her to my room, tuck her beneath the covers, and lie beside her until she woke.
But that wasn’t what she needed.
A bell rang—soft, twinkling—as Fig pushed through the cracked door. He meowed at me from the floor,then hopped onto the chaise with the casual entitlement of a creature who owned the room.
I smiled faintly and shifted, easing Rowena onto the cushions. She didn’t stir, just sighed, her body curling slightly as Fig curled beside her—his little body fitting neatly into the crook of her legs.
He looked up at me. Steady. Watchful. As if he knew.
Like he was telling me,I’ve got her.
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, bent, and pressed my lips to her temple. Then I stood fully, glancing once more at the pair of them—her breath even and slow, his tail flicking protectively against her ankle.
I stepped softly to the door, careful not to wake her. Careful not to break the peace I’d helped rebuild.
In the hall, I paused—just long enough to glance down.
Vael still lay there, motionless. A man undone. I couldn’t tell if he was awake or asleep, but neither would have surprised me.
I stepped over him and sat down beside the door once more, the wood solid at my back, my vigil not yet ended.
Nine
WHAT REMAINS AFTER
Kravenspire, Sol, Verdune
15 Ebry, Year 810
ROWENA
