“There’s no mistake.”
Her breaths were shaky.
“Vuldrex will serve us dinner in my rooms.” I said gently. “And you can just rest. I’ll watch over you. I promise.”
She looked hesitant, and I thought she would refuse me, but then she nodded once.
I glanced behind her. “Is there anything you need to bring?”
She retrieved the hologram, turning it off before slipping it into a pocket of the billowy white dress that caressed her form and fell to just above her knees. Then she seemed to steel herself and turned to me. “I’m ready now.”
I needed to be careful. She was still fragile and scared, the battle wave still not having faded from her mind, and any move from me that she deemed a threat would send her as far away from me as possible. That was something I couldn’t have.
I took hold of her waist, coaxing her back into my arms. She let me, though her body had a stiffness to it. Scooping her up, I carried her out and hopped into the air, speeding up to my rooms. When I landed she released the arm she’d wrapped behind my neck and I hated how quickly she moved away from me, darting into the room from the balcony as though the waning sun would scald her. Or as if she couldn’t stand to be so close to me.
Time. I had to give her time to rest, for her mind to heal, for her trust in me to be restored.
She made a wide berth around the bed and headed straight to a settee in my sitting area, perching on the edge like she might leap off and run at any moment.
I went to the alcove that held my alcohol counter and poured her a drink with a low alcohol content. It was hopefully just enough to help her relax. I resisted the urge to pour myself something strong and had the same as her. While I was there I tapped a tablet and sent a message to Vuldrex.
I went over and handed the delicate glass to her before settling into a plush chair, letting my wings relax out, belying the tension I really felt.
She took a long drink. “Do you know what happened to Jaron and Tatiana?”
I carefully took her hand, turning it over and rubbing the pulse in her wrist with my thumb, soothing and slow caresses. Her pulse began to respond and slow from its panicked pace. “They left with some of the humans who got away from the ambush.”
She nodded. “It’s better than them getting caught in the crossfire.”
I didn’t say that I thought they were in more danger with their own people than here.
“I should go back to the house.” She murmured, as if to herself.
“No. I want you to stay here with me.” I braced, wings tense. “Permanently.”
“Why?” she asked simply, her eyes haunted as she regarded me from under her lashes.
“Because I love you.” I’d resisted long enough and felt the truth of that statement in my bones.
She shook her head, and a pang went through my chest. It wasn’t as bad as how I’d felt knowing she was leaving, because I knew if she was close at least I could try to win her back, but it still cut deep. I deserved it after what I put her through.
“I wish you would have been truthful about what was going on. Arrazyl, promise me that you’ll be honest with me from now on, even if it’s difficult.”
“You’re right, I should have. I’m sorry, Jacqueline.”
A tiny smile tugged at her lips. “That was quick.”
“I thought that it would make things easier to push you away, but I was wrong. I won’t make that mistake again.” I vowed.
She gazed at the floor, “I’ll stay tonight, but I can’t promise anything else.”
It was a start.
Chapter 35
I couldn’t sleep. Arrazyl spooned me, arms tucked around me, his breathing even and deep. He’d been cautious when he’d taken me into his arms, but I didn’t have the energy to push him away. And despite my jumbled feelings, being in his arms again felt good.I love you.I’d never heard that from a man I’d dated. My heart had leapt at the words but I had to be careful. They were merely words after all.
Earlier, Vuldrex and Junyv had brought us a giant meal of all the things I’d expressed that I liked to Arrazyl throughout our time together, and he’d coaxed me to eat as much as possible. He seemed intent on trying to make what happened up to me, but I didn’t know if that was possible. Even as careful as he was with me, I internally flinched whenever he touched me, remembering the vicious way he killed.
