For someone who nearly died,again, my body felt surprisingly okay. No doubt, thanks to the healing hands of my little friends.
A dull ache pulsed across my shoulder. A gentle reminder that even in Ferie, longer life didn’t mean invincibility. I’d pay the price for this tomorrow, when the adrenaline wore off.
I stood, shifting my eyes to meet each of theirs. Huck, Pudge, and Honey clung to me, bringing raw emotion to prickle behind my eyes. I felt nothing but love and deep, unfathomable gratitude.
“Thank you. You came.” Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as I choked on sob. “Thank?—”
A warm cheek smushed up against mine, our tears converged as Pudge lovingly brushed a hand down my face.
Honey nuzzled into my side, letting out a soft, audible exhale.
Huck wrapped his arms around my waist, giving my belly a squeeze.
Love blazed into me, rekindling the light in my soul, one that had almost snuffed out.
“Words cannot convey my gratitude as well.” David’s voice was clipped, sharpened at the edges.
“Please take her to the house.” His jaw locked tight, a muscle twitching. “We have matters to discuss.”
A thousand unsaid words flashed over his face. But his eyes, they remained fixed. Reprimanding.
I had lied. He knew it. And his fury was a living creature now.
But he lied too.Again. And that only fed the beast stirring inside me.
I stared back in challenge. Let him feel it. Let himfeelme.
Emotion sizzled off me like water to his open flame. I wore my anger like a thick perfume. And I knew he’d have to take a whiff.
David could sense emotions. Being a Heartseer was yet another secret he’d kept from me. But even as a kid, I’d figured that one out. Anytime I came home from school upset, grieving the loss of my old life, he’d smother me like a blanket—warm, coddling, coaxing the truth out. TheI’m fineresponse never fooled him. Sorrow, anger, heartbreak, insecurities . . . he alwaysknewwhich one I felt.
When I called him out, I accused him of being some meddling witch. Wyatt was in the room and nearly choked on his drink as he shot David an amused look. A look that said,busted! At that point, he was backed in a corner and had to come clean.
No, not a witch, a Heartseer—a rare Loveland empathic ability. It emerged when he was a child. Eventually, it helped him rise to Commander of the Loveland Army. There’s no greater advantage over an enemy than sensing their next move. Not that I’d know a damn thing about military tactics. David refused to teach me any combat.
He said he hid it from me because he was nervous—afraid I’d pull away. Little did he know, I did just the opposite after that and stayed extra close, especially when I was pissed. I made damn sure hefeltit. I’d project my emotions like a loudspeaker. An angry, pubescent teen with a megaphone of angst.
Wine seemed to help the headaches I gave him.
“Souls above! Is that a—? Fecking Fates!” A stunned voice carried through the trees. “I thought they were extinct!”
“Carwynn!” Finley’s voice followed, overtaken by panic. Then he saw them too. “I don’t believe it.”
Multiple eyes were pinned on the cuddling Cherubs.
Whatever magical barrier had kept them out, must’ve shattered the moment the creature was killed. The three Luckmen quickly approached.
My heart hammered in my chest, remembering the smell of ash and burnt flesh . . .Pogue.
He’d taken the full force of that blast. An inferno so intense the heat still resided in my bones. There was no way someone could survive that.
Just then, movement drew my gaze. A mass of inkydarkness lingered where Pogue had taken the hit. Like mist dissipating, it cleared, revealing a shadowy outline cradling a scorched arm. Moonlit eyes and a painfully striking face. He was alive, albeit injured, but fine otherwise.
An exhale caressed over my lips as I locked eyes with him. There was a flicker of unease in his features as he took me in, as if I had become a different person, unrecognizable.
“You okay?” I asked.
His frown faded. He flashed a cocky grin, a tinge of pain hidden behind it. “I’ve had worse.” His eyes swept over me—inspecting for wounds, then drifted to David.
