And then he’s within reach again, coming through his bedroom door, phone to his ear, heartbeat erratic.
A flood of tangled emotions hammer against him.
Then the line clicks, and his nerves leap.
“Polly?” Castor blurts, voice shaking.
Silence, then a rough, “Tor.”
Castor swears, and dampness darkens his blindfold as he finds my hand again, crushing it in his. We steal one another’s strength as he says, “Polly, please. I need help.”
Distant and low, Pollux says, “What’s wrong?”
“My mate is in a lot of pain, and the medicine isn’t working. It’s been over an hour. Her—” he cusses, spite deepening the curse until it vibrates in my head, “—mother has had her on birth control since she was twelve. She’s facing a migraine and nausea on top of cramps, and the medicine isn’t—” he swears again, “—working.”
Inexplicably, Pollux mutters, “Does your bed still have traps under it?”
“I’ll remove them.”
“Okay. Let me get my supplies. Give me two minutes. It’s going to be okay, Tor. I’m on my way.”
When Pollux hangs up, Castor’s entire body goes limp. Seated there on the edge of my bed, holding my hand, he rides the torrents of his emotions, battling for purchase amidst them. Finally, he regains himself and stands. “The traps.” He squeezes my hand. “Forgive me, my love. I need to dispel some things.”
I whimper as I lose his hand. “Why are there traps under your bed, Castor?”
“To stop the boogeymen from getting any ideas.” He leaves my cage, reaches his bed, and begins sewing glowing threads in the air, pulling knots until they come apart. “I don’t like nightmares. I prefer dreamless dark.”
I’m not sure I understand, but right at this exact moment…I’m not certain I really care.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I do everything I can to focus on the magic song as it unravels instead of the pain as it contorts.
?
Castor
Pollux is here. The last time Pollux was here, I had stolen his family. And he wasn’there, in my room. He was in a different room. A room that I’ve since left overgrown and destroyed in the wake of Pila’s fury as a reminder that there’s someone in this world who can meet my eyes and live.
Pollux is here.
Because I asked for help.
Pollux came to help me.
After everything.
He…really is just about as righteous andgoodas Cael, isn’t he? No wonder they chipped me out. I truly was the one who didn’t fit in at all.
Palpable relief swells in me once whatever Pollux mixed up for Danielle shortly after he arrived hits her system and her pain eases.
As though immediately registering the lowered tension, my old friend mutters, “You shouldn’t keep your soulmate in acage, Tor.” Despite my blindfold, I feel the big man’s body turn and his glare hit me. “What the actual—” he cusses, “—is this?”
I cross my arms. “Romantic.”
“No.”
I turn my face from the negativity. I could argue, but I’m not exactly keen on having an argument with someone who has just helped me. Even if he’sverywrong and I amveryright.
Danielle’s pretty bird cage is lavish and cozy and elegant. It keeps her safe. Protecting and spoiling her isincrediblyromantic. No matter what this loser says.I’veresearched this topic;hehasn’t.
