The vacant glazed look in her eyes has been erased.
“You—you’re you,” I stutter.
“Excuse you,” she says, coming over to untie my ropes. “You may only refer to me as blondie and/or cream puff.”
The second I'm free, I pull her into my arms. I don’t give a fuck I'm bleeding all over her clothes. . . again.
I hold her to me so tight I'm probably suffocating her but she doesn’t protest. She simply holds me back, just as tight.
I shake my head not understanding. “I couldn’t save you. I was going to rip him limb from limb until it released you from the spell.”
“But you did save me.” she says. “Without you I never would have found that power within me. In loving me, for exactly what I am, you empowered me to be all I can be. Wait. . . that’s an Army slogan.”
“I don’t understand. How, how did it not work?” I ask, still not quite believing Goldie is okay.
She draws back enough to smile up at me. “I did what you suggested. I said no.”
“What?” My brain is still split between panic and the immense relief of holding Goldie.
“Lawrence was my clue. He was the only one I flat out said no too and he dropped off, which normal Lawrence still usually wouldn’t take the memo much less enchanted Lawrence. I figured that the power of my no, my boundary made all the difference. These powers have been getting the best of me for a while, but I think I’m finally keying on how to control them.”
“Powers or not, you can’t get rid of me, Goldie,” I say, my voice hoarse. “We sorted Eli’s problems out. No one will come for you, I promise you this.”
Her hands slip around my neck bringing me down for a kiss. It’s full of longing and need as we find solace in each other.
I rest my forehead against hers once we break apart. “Please say I can have you in my bed again. In my life? Forever. I love you, Goldie. I’ll do anything to be with you.”
“Like let me call you Teddy Bear in front of other people?” she chirps.
My head falls back as I shut my eyes. “A man has limits, Goldie.”
She laughs before it dies off, her gaze boring into mine. “I love you too, Tedford.”
I kiss her again, fiercely, possessively and she meets my every bit of fervor with her own.
Lysander groans, so I set a foot on his head in case he manages to fully wake up and gets the urge to get off the ground.
“Don’t squish his head,” she says into my chest.
“Why not?” I ask, leaning back slightly so I can look in her eyes and she can breathe.
“Cinder,” is all she says. I instantly understand. It’s not that he doesn’t deserve it, it’s that he is a key link between her and Cinder and she may need him alive to work things out.
As if on cue, Cinder, Red, and Brexley run into the house, with Snow in tow.
Chapter44
I Love You, I Know
GOLDIE
Taking one look at the scene, Cinder runs to me, throwing her arms around me. “Oh thank the faelords, I thought he might have hurt you. I would never be okay again if something happened to you.”
Brexley and Ted make quick work of tying up Lysander and discuss in hushed tones what they plan to do with him. Fae business is not usually settled by police forces, so I don’t know what they have planned but I’ve no doubt it will put my little psycho stalker out of commission.
I am still in shock, wrapped up in Cinder’s arms. But I don’t miss the opportunity to squeeze her just as tight.
“I thought you hated me,” I choke out.
