Chapter 78-2
“So what? We start over?”
“I don’t know what we do, but I definitely don’t think we can start over. Things are still too
dangerous.”
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“The crone hasn’t had any more visions since the twins died. They may have been the darkness
she foresaw.” I said.
“Someone was draining Janelle of her magic. Slowly and over time, but every day that I saw her,
she was weaker. Morven is still dealing with powerful witches. I don’t know that it’s over.”
“Then after dinner, I think it’s time we talk to the witch. Until then, do you mind if I join you?” I said,
feeling a desperate flush creep up my cheeks.
“What do you mean?”
“I need to touch you, Kiana. Please. Just touch.” The words rasped out of me before I could stop
them. Weeks-endless, hollow weeks-without her warmth had left my chest aching like a wound
that wouldn’t heal. My wolf had gone quiet, curling into itself, trying not to feel. But my human half
… it was unraveling. If she told me no, if she asked for space, I would break apart quietly where she
couldn’t see. But if there was even a chance…goddess, if she let me close again…
Carefully holding her bowl so it wouldn’t spill, she shifted, scooting over on the bed. That tiny invitation was all it took, my body moved faster than thought, a desperate surge, food bag
clutched tight as I slid in beside her. Pressing against the wall, I let my arm curl around her, holding
back the tremor in my hand. I could eat one-handed. I could do anything, as long as she was in my
arms again. “Okay?”
Her sigh melted into me, her body tucking under my arm as if she belonged there. And then, her
shoulder trembled.
“Hey.” My voice cracked with the force of holding myself together. “I’ve got you.” The bag was forgotten, tossed aside. I took the soup from her, set it carefully on the floor, then pulled her into
my lap, needing her weight, her closeness, her heartbeat pounding against mine. She buried her
face against me and broke, the sound of her tears tearing me open from the inside.
She never let go like this. She never cracked. Seeing her shatter in my arms undid me more than
any battle ever could.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffed. “I just..”
I pressed my mouth to her hair, breathing her in like a starving man finally given food. My chest
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< Chapter 78-2
ached with how much I needed her, how much I’d missed this. Missed her.
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“You don’t have to apologize, Kiana. Just let it out. It’s just us here.” I lowered my chin onto the
crown of her head. Every sob cut into me, but I held her tighter, willing her to pour it all out, to lean
on me like she never had before. “When we get back, things are going to be different. You don’t
ever have to be afraid to cry in front of me.”
When at last the storm quieted, she pulled back, eyes rimmed red, cheeks damp. Even like this-es
pecially like this-she undid me. I brushed my lips against her forehead, needing to touch her in
some way that wasn’t just holding her together with my arms.
“Was it something specific that made you cry, or were you just a little overwhelmed?”
“Overwhelmed. I haven’t felt like this since the first time you left me at Razor’s Edge and Parker
frowned at me and told me I looked like a rat.”
“Moon above,” I huffed. “I knew he was a little rough around the edges, but I didn’t think he was
that rough.”
“I miss him, rough edges and all,” she whispered, giving me a small smile. “With everything that happened, I haven’t really had a chance to mourn him.”
“He would have said something snarky to make you feel better.” My chest ached because I wanted so badly to give her that same comfort, to ease her pain with more than clumsy words.
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