“Let’s get her in the bath,” Briar chimed in, motioning for Renai to pick her up. She glanced in my direction, worry shining in her eyes. The innate need to protect my mate pulsed through my blood.
I walked over to her bedside and leaned over her body, shielding her from view. Renai stepped back, but Briar did not budge. “I will be the one to escort my mate to the bath. Once the water is prepared,” I added, as I stared them down. Briar scoffed, muttering something under her breath about men, but headed into the chamber to run her bath.
Renai stood to the side, staring at Eva and me as I fussed over her. I hated when she did that. I could feel the words left unsaid, the ones she was secretly going over in her head instead of speaking them. “If you have something to say to me,” I said, my voice low. “Have the courtesy to say it to my face and not simply within your mind.”
Renai rolled her eyes. “Matthew, you cannot be serious. You’re acting like a territorial fool, and that is exactly what got you into this mess.” She walked over and crouched on the other side of the bed, careful not to move too close to Eva. “Snapping at everyone will only make matters worse.”
I blew out a breath, releasing the tension in my muscles as I sat back. “I have just been losing my mind, not knowing where she was or what happened… And then when she spent her power like that and collapsed? For a moment, I thought I’d lost her.”
Renai reached her hand out and grabbed mine. “You’re not alone.”
Briar poked her head in, motioning for me to bring Eva to her. I scooped her in my arms and gently carried her to the water. The gentle scent of jasmine filled my nostrils, nearly making me weep with joy. It was so perfectly Eva. I could not describe it any other way.
“Out with you,” Briar said, pushing me toward the open door.
I turned to stare at her. “You cannot be serious? She is my mate; I have seen everything there is to see. Why can I not—”
Briar held up a hand. “For the love of the gods, boy.” She shook her head. “Let the child have some space. Do you believe she wants to wake up and face you immediately? After running away?” The old woman batted my chest with her towel. “Use your head. Now shoo!”
With one final push, she closed the door and locked me outside. Renai stared down at her feet, avoiding looking in my direction as I slid down the door. “Have I fucked everything up?” I asked weakly.
Renai plopped onto the ground without so much as a second thought, crossing her legs underneath her. “Do you want my honest opinion?” she asked, and I mustered a nod. She blew out a breath. “You and Eva moved entirely too fast. Given what you two faced, I understand. When you know… Sometimes you just know.” She paused briefly, catching my eye. I wondered if she felt that way about Kalen. “But you bound your souls together after only knowing each other for a short time. Your courting relationship has been non-existent. And then you were both thrown into horrible circumstances. It did not allow the bond to settle properly, and I can imagine it’s chafing the two of you badly. You need to court her again. Start from the beginning again.”
“What do you mean? That she will not want to be with me anymore?” I asked her, my heart breaking in two.
“Not at all, Matthew. But perhaps the two of you both have issues—insecurities—you need to sort through before the bond will allow you to settle. Eva needs to learn to trust again, not only other people but herself. And you need to learn how to take a step back and allow her the time to do that.”
“But we do not have time!” I said, slamming my hand against my knee. “We have neither the time nor the luxury to do such things. I only want to protect her.”
Renai met my gaze. “How has that worked out for you so far?”
The answer was simple: it had not.
But I did not want to take a step back, nor did I want Eva to believe I was doing so to put distance between us. “What if she believes I am abandoning her?”
She shook her head. “She would never,” Renai said, reaching out to clasp my hand. “But I would suggest you talk to Eva about it and see what she thinks?”
Just then, the door swung open against my head with a thud, and I cursed.
“Talk to me about what?”
I looked up and saw Eva staring down at me, her hazel eyes dull and cautious as she looked between the two of us. Renai stood, excusing herself from the room quickly. I shot her a glare as I got to my feet and moved out of the way for Eva to walk through.
“How are you?”
Eva moved past me, wearing only a towel. She curled into bed and wrapped a thick blanket around her body. Her hair was still damp, smooth and straight from where Briar had gotten out all the tangles. The woman walked to the armoire, pulling out a dress for Eva to wear for the meeting today. It was scheduled to take place in the later afternoon, giving everyone the time to rest after the events of the evening.
Briar laid the dress over the back of a chair, placing a brush beside it. She came over to Eva and placed a kiss on her temple. “I will be back in one hour to prepare you.” Briar looked at me and bowed her head slightly. “I’ve taken the liberty of drawing you a bath as well—” she gave me a sharp look “—without the bubbles, though.” She walked from the room, and Eva managed a weak laugh before her eyes turned to mine.
Neither of us spoke, only staring at one another as if it was the first time. I felt the heat in her gaze, but I also saw how guarded she was. I pulled on the bond softly, testing to see if her wall was still up. She smiled, feeling the emotion I poured into my inquiry.
“How are you?” I asked again, sitting at the edge of the bed. She readjusted her head and closed her eyes.
“I do not know how to answer that,” she breathed. “But I am sorry if I scared you. That was never my intention.”
I shook my head quickly. “You never need to apologize to me, but especially not about this. The blame lies with me, with my actions alone.” I wanted to reach out to her, to take her in my arms, but I refused to be the source of more pain and indecision on her part.
“What were you talking about earlier? Before I opened the door?” Her fingers played with the fringe of the towel.
