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I really was important to him. I mattered to him.
We fought to land through the crashing surf. The ocean threw us forward. Dragged us back. Talon swore under his breath and rowed harder, his motions a blur.
“C’mere. If we hit a rock, you might pop out.” Twilight moved me to the floor, braced me between her legs, and wrapped her arms around me.
My hands were numb, but I held onto her as best I could, trying to do my part. On either side of us, Brien and Cain kept pushing, underwater more than they were above it.
And then the dinghy bottom scraped against sand and pebbles. Tossing aside the oars, Talon scooped me into his arms and leapt onto the beach.
His deep tones vibrated against my cheek. “I’m taking Eden to my quarters. Someone contact Olivia and get whatever she needs to the castle.”
“You don’t want to take Eden to the clinic?” Brien’s voice.
“She’s in bad shape. I don’t want to risk moving her across the island. We need to get her warmed up ASAP.”
Safe.
I could let go now.
My brain clouded over, my eyes drifting shut.
When I opened them again, I was on Talon’s bed, wrapped in a big towel, the heat cranked up. Taking a washcloth, he gently wiped the mud and dried salt from my face. He rinsed the cloth in a bowl of warm water and continued cleansing the rest of me, lifting a small part of the towel at a time and patting me dry with a second towel.
I gave a hard shudder, and he dragged his teeth over his lower lip. “Almost done, baby.”
I nodded mutely.
When I was as clean as he could make me, he bundled me into a sleepshirt and tucked two thick blankets around me, topping them off with his silk comforter.
“Drink.” Supporting me with an arm around my shoulders, he brought a cup of hot broth to my lips, feeding me sips until it was gone.
Only then did he leave me for a quick shower. He reappeared dressed in clean clothes and climbed into bed with me, pulling my chilled body against his.
I slipped my hand beneath the covers, fingers spread over my abdomen. The baby hadn’t moved for hours. Panic wrapped a fist around my windpipe.
“The baby?” I rasped.
Talon stroked the hand on my abdomen. “You’re okay—both of you. I can hear his heartbeat. He’s resting, that’s all.”
“Really?”
“Really. But Olivia’s on her way.”
“Good. I mean I believe you, but I want to be sure.”
“Of course, you do.” He feathered his lips over my temple. “Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. If I have to fly a specialist in, I will. I won’t lose you now—either of you.”
I rested my head against his cheek. “Thank you.”
My toes and fingers started to prickle. I gave them a tentative wiggle, wincing at the pain.
“What is it?” Talon asked. When I told him, he brought my right hand to his lips, kissing the fingers one by one. “That’s good. It means they’re not frostbitten.”
I nodded and burrowed into his chest. “This feels so good. To be close to you.”
His arms tightened on me. “Get as close as you want.”
I drew a jagged breath.
