“I’m here,” I whispered, leaning forward so my forehead nearly touched hers. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her body softened at my voice, her magick pressed into me and something inside me—something I’d spent years welding shut—opened like a fault line. I brushed my thumb across her knuckles.
“If you’d died,” I murmured, voice shaking, “I don’t know what I would’ve become.”
She exhaled softly, breath warm against my wrist. I swallowed hard, my vision burning.
“You’re safe,” I said again. “You’re mine to protect.”
The bond pulsed slow, steady and unmistakable.
I let my eyes close. For the first time since the nightmare began, my body eased, tension melting out of my shoulders.
And there, in the quiet glow of the healing suite, with her hand in mine and the echo of her voice lingering in the air—I realized with terrifying clarity how much I loved her.And there was no way I could pretend anymore.
Chapter 34
Savla
Ididn’t realize I’d fallen asleep until the soft movement beneath my hand pulled me back into the world. Hanna shifted against the sheets, a small, aching sound pushing past her lips.
My eyes snapped open instantly. The room was dim, lit only by a single light that I was certain one of the other members of the coven had left hovering near the cot. I hadn’t moved from my seat at her side, with her fingers still wrapped in mine.
Her brow furrowed and her breathing picked up, but then she whispered to me.
“Savla…?”
My heart lurched so hard it hurt.
“I’m here,” I said, my voice hoarse from staying quiet too long. “I’m right here.”
Her eyelids fluttered open—heavy, slow and confused. For amoment she stared at the ceiling as if trying to remember where she was. Then her gaze drifted sideways, finding my hand first, then my face and her breath caught.
“Is it really you?” she whispered.
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
Her fingers tightened on mine. “I thought maybe—I dreamed you coming.”
My chest pulled tight. “You didn’t dream it. I’m here and I’m not leaving.”
She blinked hard, eyes filling instantly with tears. “Savla…” Her voice cracked on the last syllable, like it hurt to breathe it out.
I wanted to gather her in my arms but I didn’t want to move too fast. I didn’t want to overwhelm her.
“Hey,” I whispered. “You’re safe. You’re home.”
For a heartbeat, she just stared at me—like seeing me grounded her to the world. Then she pushed herself weakly onto her side, wobbling, and reached toward me with her free hand. I caught her gently before she toppled off the cot and her hand landed on my cheek. It was warm, shaking butsotrusting.
A shock shot through the bond so strong I sucked in a breath. She felt it, too—her eyes widening and glowing faintly with recognition.
“You’re real,” she whispered. “I kept calling for you, but I thought I imagined it.”
“You didn’t imagine anything,” I whispered, my heart breaking.
Her lower lip trembled. “I was so scared.”
That did me in. I leaned forward and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her carefully, slowly, against me. She sank into the embrace like her bones had been waiting for this exact shape to hold her. Her forehead pressed to my collarbone and her breath hitched.
