Soulceress (The Mythean Arcana 2) - Page 38

Warren stared blindly into the refrigerator. He’d come down to the kitchen for something, but he had no idea what.

Gods, he was tired. In the two days since Esha had been wounded, he’d done nothing but sit by her bed and stare at her—unusual behavior for someone who didn’t care. He dragged a hand through his hair, disgusted with himself. For getting her into this situation. For being unable to leave her side.

What if he had lost her? He stared blindly into the refrigerator as memories of her bravery flashed across his mind. She’d never let anyone take the hard job from her. Wouldn’t trust them enough to do so. He’d never met anyone as mistrusting yet fearlessly brave as Esha. And he’d nearly gotten her killed.

A demanding meow caught his attention. He looked down to see Esha’s cat at his feet. Normally, he’d think that the cat wanted to be fed. But after walking downstairs last night and seeing the cat devouring a piece of salmon he’d dragged out of the newly stocked refrigerator—courtesy of the healer, since Warren wouldn’t leave Esha’s side—it was clear that the cat could take care of food for himself.

That meant he was now doing a Lassie for Esha.

At least, he wanted to assume that the cat was here to tell him that Esha had awakened. Unless something was wrong.

Forgetting all about lunch, he

took the stairs two at a time to her room. The iron bands around his heart eased just slightly at the sight of her in bed. The glow had returned to her ivory skin, as had the red to her lips. She was on the mend.

“How are you feeling?”

“Starving.”

Thank gods, she was feeling better. He nodded. “I’ll be back.”

Down in the kitchen, he threw together some sandwiches and tea, along with a bit of broth in case she wasn’t feeling up to a heartier meal, and returned to her room.

“Here.” The awkwardness in his voice was painful to hear as he set the tray down on her lap. She’d managed to scoot herself up in bed until she was almost sitting upright. “Do you need help?”

“I’ve got it.” She dug into the sandwiches with gusto, then sighed with pleasure over the tea. When she finished eating, she looked up at him. “How long have I been out?”

“It’s been a couple of days since you woke last.”

When she stretched, his eyes followed her movements like those of a wolf. He looked away quickly, embarrassed. She was sick, damn it. He wasn’t an animal.

“Is that all?”

“Aye. Do you need to, ah…” he gestured toward the door leading to the bathroom.

She shook her head.

He nodded. Maybe she was well enough now to answer the question that had been burning in his mind. “Why did everything go wrong back at the cave?”

She looked away, reaching out for her cat. Once she’d sunk her fingers into its fur, she looked back at him, guilt etched on her face. “I broke the rules. I spent so much of my time searching for a clue that by the time I found it, I didn’t have time to read it. When I removed something from the howf, the magic activated to stop me. If you hadn’t been there, I never would have made it out with what I’d taken. I’d have… died.” She glared at him, her fine black brows drawn over gleaming eyes.

“Hey. Doona be mad at me. I was just trying to help.”

“I know. But protecting myself is my job and I failed. I did something stupid and nearly died for it.” She looked down at her cat, but the fierceness of her disappointment radiated from her. “I’ve always been smarter than that.”

He had a feeling that this might be the first time someone had ever stepped in and saved her ass. But if he asked, she’d bite his head off.

“Thanks for saving me.” She looked up. She’d managed to swallow most of her disappointment and gratitude showed through.

He felt his chest swell, but he just nodded, then looked away from her. Toward the window, the door. Anywhere but at her.

She sighed dejectedly, then leaned back on the pillow. “I lost our only clue. And I don’t even know what it said.”

“The letter?”

Her eyes brightened, and she sat up a bit straighter. “You have it? I thought I lost it.”

“Aye, you had a death grip on it when you collapsed in the boat. I saved it. Figured it was important.”

Tags: Linsey Hall The Mythean Arcana Paranormal
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