His clothes swamp my body, and I revel in it. I feel cozy and comfortable, surrounded by him; it’s everything I’ve been wanting to feel safe again. He doesn’t have any bandages for my still bleeding knuckles, being a vampire who can heal wounds and all, so he rips up an old t-shirt and wraps the length of cloth around my hand instead, tying it in a small knot over my palm and placing a gentle kiss on it. We move to his bed and sit on top of the comforter across from each other, eating the snacks he brought while I take careful sips of water. The silence lingers, and I take a breath to break it.
“I know you’re probably wondering…” I trail off, not sure how to tell him what happened.
“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” he replies. His eyes are soft on mine, filled with worry and tenderness.
“I do, though. I want someone else to know. I don’t want to be alone with this in my head. It’s just,” I stop again, fidgeting my hands in my lap.
“Just what?” he prompts after a fewmoments of quiet.
“I don’t know how.” I pull my arms tight around myself, feeling alone again all of a sudden.
Asher reaches over and pulls me in front of him. He spreads his legs around me and my back meets his front as he tucks me in tight against him. My body instantly relaxes.
“Could you, maybe, I don’t know. Ask me what you want to know?”
I feel his deep inhale against my back, then his cheek is against the top of my head as he nods.
“Are you okay?” he asks, and tears come to my eyes that that’s the first thing he chose to ask.
“I don’t know. I think so.”
“Where did he hurt you?”
“He didn’t really,” I say, and Asher cuts off a growl.
“Sunshine, I can see bruises all over your body. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay, but please don’t lie to me.”
I hadn’t meant to lie, but then again I hardly feel the pain. My body must be in shock, dissociated or something.
“Oh. Um, well he grabbed my arms, and my neck, and kind of dragged me around a bit,” I say. “After I came out of the restroom, he was right there and it all happened so fast. Next thing I knew we were around the corner, and then in that room, and then you were there.”
Asher’s arms are tight around me and I snuggle further back into his embrace. He nuzzles his nose into my hair and breathes deep again.
“Did he drink from you?” His voice is quiet with restrained menace again, and I quickly shake my head.
“No. He threatened to. He… threatened a lot of things.” I shudder, trying to get his voice out of my head again.
“Let me prove his words are lies. Can you tell me what he said?”
My heart jumps and I gulp a swallow.
“He said… he called me names. Accused me of using you for your money and connections. That I was worthless and weak and he’d prove it.”
Asher turns me in his arms so I’m curled up sideways, then his hand cups my jaw and tips my face to his. I meet his eyes, seeing fierce loyalty and determination as he speaks.
“Listen to me, little shifter. You are one of the strongest people I know. Everything you’ve been through, you’ve kept your head high and spread joy and kindness wherever you go. Despite the hardships life has thrown your way, you’ve met every obstacle with courage and intelligence. That is not the mark of a worthless, weak person. That is the mark of an incredible individual, someone I respect and admire. Whatever names he called you are a reflection of him, not you.”
I blink, tears filling my eyes again.
“Do you believe my words?” His eyes bore into me, and I know he meant every single one.
“I do,” I whisper. I believe he meant them, and I also believe they’re true.
“As far as the money goes,” he scoffs. “Did you even know I have money?”
“I… what?” I’m confused now. Of course he has money.
“How rich do you think I am?”
