I nod, trying to let his words sink in past the panic.
"And I'm here," he continues. "I won't let anything happen to you. Do you understand me? Nothing will touch you while I'm here."
The certainty in his voice and the absolute conviction cuts through the last of my panic.
And I believe him.
I am safe with him.
"I've got you," he murmurs again, his hand stroking down my back in long, soothing movements. "Just breathe. Just be here with me."
So I do as he says.
I focus on the steady rhythm of his breathing. On the warmth of his body surrounding mine. On the strength in his arms and the gentle touch of his hand in my hair.
Slowly, the tension bleeds out of my muscles. My breathing evens out. The tears stop falling.
The storm still rages outside, but it feels distant now. Like it's happening to someone else, in some other world.
All that matters is this moment. This man. These arms holding me.
"Better?" he asks after a long while, his voice soft.
I nod against his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall apart like that."
"Don't apologize. Not for this. Not ever."
His words are fierce, protective, and something warm unfurls in my chest.
“And I promise you,malyshka. I will always find you. In the snow, in the rain, and in the darkness. You will never be lost again.”
His words settle on me like a warm blanket.
Outside, the wind howls, but I barely hear it now. Exhaustion is pulling me toward sleep. The adrenaline crash combined with the emotional purge has left me boneless and heavy.
"Sleep," Nikolai says, as if he can read my mind. "I'll be right here."
I should move to my room, and sleep in my bed.
But I don't want to.
I want to stay right here, wrapped in his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
So I let my eyes close.
And let the warmth and safety of his embrace pull me under.
20
NIKOLAI
The wind howls through the lodge like a wounded animal, rattling windows and screaming down the chimney. Outside, the blizzard rages with violent fury but I barely notice it.
All my attention is focused on the woman sleeping in my arms.
Holly's breathing has finally evened out, her body warm and soft against my chest. Her hand rests over my heart, fingers curled into my shirt, as if even in sleep she’s anchoring herself onto something solid.
Something that will protect her.
