I miss his touch already.
Stave opens the door as soon as we approach. I’m carrying this stupid casserole and don’t know what to do with it.
“I’m going to the kitchen,” I say.
“Good. Maybe Darla will knock some sense into your head.”
“Excuse me?” I whirl on him.
Eryx stops. “There are certain things I have to do. One of them is protect you, not allow you to walk into harm’s way?—”
“But you let me?—”
“Stop. I’m not finished.”
His words are so sharp heat fills my cheeks, but I let him continue.
“That is the difference between need and want. I needed you to take on those nightmares. They have to be filtered and siphoned; otherwise bad things happen—not just to me.”
“What kind of bad things?”
“That’s not what we’re discussing.” He takes a step in, and his icy blue eyes fill with worry. “Letting you walk into a risky situation is not what I want for you, and I’ll fight to stop that.”
“I was attacked too,” I quietly remind him.
His expression softens. “And I won’t let it happen again. But that’s where this discussion ends. No more talk of it, and tell Nightmare to mind its own business.”
His voice is firm. Final.
But so is mine. "You don't get to decide this alone," I say quietly. "We're married. Partners. That means I get a say."
His jaw clenches. "Not in this."
My grip on the casserole tightens. “I don’t accept your answer.”
He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Deal with it.”
I release a sound of frustration and charge off.
“Where are you going?”
“Someplace where you’re not.”
“The kitchen’s in the other direction.”
“I’m going the long way!”
Which is of course a lie. This manor is too damn big with too many damn hallways.
I charge off, hoping Eryx doesn’t follow. It’s understandable that he’s afraid for my safety, but I’m afraid for his, too. Doesn’t he see that? Without him, I’m…
Wait. Did I just think about not having him?
My stomach clenches.
Remember,Nightmare whispers in my head,if Helena succeeds and takes me from Eryx, he won’t survive.
A pulse washes over my body.
