Page 71 of Magic and Medicine

‘I couldn’t help it. I love you, Sara. The way you face adversity, your passion, and your zest for life have changed how I live and treat others. If anyone didn’t stand a chance, it was me. You are my light, my beautiful Firefly.’ Leszek took another breath to continue, but I raised my hand, stopping him.

‘Where is Nina?’ My unexpected question startled him, and I watched Leszek’s eyes darken, his muscles tensing beneath me.

‘She is safe, resting at home. She was here earlier, but Adam took her back. She was still tired after her ordeal.’

‘The shifters and the people who fought for us?’

‘They are fine. Sara, why are you changing the subject?’

Leszek touched my chin, tilting it up, and I felt guilty looking at his ravaged face. Whatever this healing and immortality cost him, it was a hefty price. ‘Will you be alright?’

‘Yes, I just need a few day’s rest. What is going on, my Firefly? Are you angry with me? I swear if there was any other way to protect you, I would have taken it.’

‘I know, and I’m not angry, just… I’m tired. I need to sleep and think. This is a tremendous change. Do you think you could leave for a moment?’ I asked, and a grimace of pain ran across his face.

‘Take all the time you need. I will be outside if you need me. I will always be here for you.’ He left the room, and Scarface used the moment to sneak in and jump on the bed.

What have you done to the Beast Lord? He looks like you broke his heart. Trust my cat to sink his claws into my aching soul.

‘Maybe I did. I just don’t have the answer he wants to hear. He made me immortal, and I think he wants more than I’m ready to give.’

Well, that surprised me, you don’t love him? Or are you just scared and overwhelmed? Leszek is a wild, passionate spirit and loves with all his soul. You know he nearly died saving you? I heard him arguing with the other man over his decision. It almost came to blows, then your witch friend arrived, and they locked me in your bedroom. There’s no such thing as a cat allergy if you ask me. Did they think I’d stop them? Idiots. Scarface sniffed, his disdain clear, then curled up next to me. So? What are you going to do?

‘I don’t know. I just don’t know anymore. Can this immortality thing be undone?’

No, he gave you a part of his soul. Do you really not want this, not want him? What are you afraid of?

‘Eternity. We haven’t known each other long, and the circumstances…? Eternity with one man when everyone else you love fades and dies is a very long time.’

Chapter thirty-four

The distress I saw in Sara’s eyes shattered my heart, even if I’d expected such a reaction. It didn’t change how I felt, though. Not for a second did I regret my decision. It would have happened eventually. Our connection and love had already grown so strong that she would have joined with me voluntarily, given time and the chance to court her.

I should have asked for her permission, but with such a powerful foe to face, my fear won out, and I decided to keep her safe, no matter what. I couldn’t let her die. I couldn’t lose her in a temporal distortion or watch Czernobog’s venom destroy her. Knowing it was wrong, I made my choice and was willing to face the consequences of my actions.

With her sharp tongue and gentle heart, this human had become my soulmate. I found her after hope of finding a companion had long since turned to dust. I’d dedicated myself to protecting my people and living a loveless but satisfying life. Sara was everything I never knew I wanted: brave, bold, passionate and dedicated, genuinely caring for those she loved, and these qualities made her unique.

Jurata had never cared. She was fierce and bold, but under her fire and brass was emptiness. Where Sara was ready to sacrifice herself, Jurata would ally with the enemy for one iota of power. My former lover and sea goddess offered nothing but a void that almost consumed us.

‘Is Sara alright? Where are you going?’ Michal’s question made me look up, and I stared at my assistant without a word. Whatever he saw in my face made him launch into another pep talk. ‘Don’t you dare blame yourself. We almost lost her, so it was the right thing to do, Boss. She‘ll come to terms with it. Sara is a reasonable woman, and with a good rest, I’m sure she’ll look at things more positively.’

‘I hope you are right.’ I said, feeling defeated.

‘I’ll bring Nina over tomorrow. After they talk, she will feel better. Not that I could stop my… that crazy woman, anyway.’ Adam offered, and I couldn’t help but smile. My rakish vampire was on the quick route to being domesticated by one outspoken nurse.

‘Make sure she eats. She forgets to eat when she’s upset.’ Damian said, and Michal immediately went to the fridge.

‘Don’t try explaining it to her. Sara can forgive a lot but hates being manhandled and will need time. For what it’s worth, she loves you, so instead of giving us this beaten pup look, have a rest and be ready to win her back.’ My new paramedic friend finished before he turned to the rest of the company. ‘Let’s go, give them some space. We still need to clean up the mess; there’s only so long before the environmentalists investigate our mysterious spillage.’

Tomasz rolled his eyes, but the wolf Alpha dragged himself from the chair just as Veronica emerged from my bedroom. She stopped beside me, and I saw compassion in Coven Mistress’s face for the first time.

‘Whatever happens next, you did the right thing, my Lord. I will return in a few days. I think we should talk about our working relationship, and I hope this will change many things for the better.’

Things have already changed for the better. I had united Tricity, not just my people but the Coven, the humans and the merfolk. Even the Council of Gedania had sent me a message of appreciation, with mention of dire consequences for Jurata’s antics.

I bade everyone farewell, sat in my office, and poured myself a good measure of whisky. I needed the gently sharp taste on my tongue to clear my mind and its warm afterglow to soothe my heart.

‘What if they are wrong and she won’t forgive me,’ I said out loud, rolling the glass in my hand, but the question I wanted to ask was, would she still love me now? But I dared not allow that to pass my lips. Playing with the glass rim, I focused on the battle’s reports. In the cold light of day, it was an unmitigated success. Not only did the combined teams defeat Rostov’s mercenaries, but they also did so with minimal casualties. Even the merfolk didn’t disappoint me, despite the surprise of Jurata’s appearance.

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