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“I’m fine. Where are we?” I asked, looking around at the forest.
A small cottage sat in the distance, hidden in the middle of the trees.
“Home,” he said gently, pushing me back so we could stand up. He stood and looked at the cabin in relief. A small dog sat on the steps. “You have a dog?”
He nodded. “George.”
I gave him a look and attempted not to laugh.
“Can I meet him?”
Kellan looked down and offered me his hand. “Of course.”
Seconds later, Fern and Ernest landed several yards away. They groaned as they stood and dusted leaves from their body. Ernest glanced over. “We made it,” he said. “Where are we?”
Kellan started stalking toward his cabin. “My home,” he said over his shoulder. “Come on now. We need to get inside in case she shows up.”
I couldn’t help the pain that twisted in my stomach. I was running from my own mother. Kellan led me toward his cabin, stopping to greet his dog that pranced around his feet in a dance of excitement.
Kellan continued up the steps while I patted the hound on top of his head. The stairs creaked as I followed Kellan into his home. The cabin was small, with wooden furniture and no décor.
It reminded me of a home from the other realm, which made sense because he lived there with his family. Kellan walked around the house, picking up a few things and nervously running his fingers into his hair.
“Do any of you want some tea? I could make some.”
Ernest stepped into the kitchen. “I can make some. You two have things to talk about.”
If that didn’t make me nervous, nothing did.
“Fern?” Ernest asked. “Would you mind helping me?”
Fern nodded and swiftly joined him in the kitchen.
Kellan gestured his head toward a bedroom and led me inside. Once the door was shut, he pulled me to his chest and held me close. Tears pricked at my eyes from the joy of being in his arms and the frustrations of our entire relationship.
He ran his palm up and down my back while resting his cheek on top of my head. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”
I blinked back my tears and pulled away. “Me too.”
Kellan cleared his throat. “So, your mother isn’t who you think she is.”
“No. She’s seemed like a completely different person these last few days. It was as if she pulled off a mask. I don’t recognize her.”
Kellan ran his thumb against my bottom lip. “I was just as shocked as you. Do you think your mother would hurt you?”
I averted my gaze to the scuffs on the top of his boots. I wanted to think that she would never hurt me, but after the last two days, I wasn’t sure. “I don’t know.”
Kellan lifted my chin with his fingers, those too-dark eyes searing me in half. “I won’t let her hurt you, Josephine. We need to prepare for what she’ll bring if she comes. She may get the spindle and disappear. Deidamia may come looking for her. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but if your mother puts us in danger, I—”
I tried to understand what he was attempting to say to me. The distant look in his eyes told me it wasn’t good. “You want to know if I’m okay with you hurting her?”
Kellan slowly closed his eyes. “Only if she puts us in danger. I have to protect you. Your father asked me to. It’s my responsibility to protect you. You understand?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Kellan stepped back several steps and sat on the edge of his bed. “Come here.”
I went to sit beside him but instead curled into his lap. Kellan shifted me until I straddled his waist. The serious look on his face softened. “I was so worried about you.”
