“Wait right here,” he says, standing over me for a second as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear. He practically bolts to the kitchen and returns seconds later with some pastries and iced tea.
He helps me sit up and puts a croissant in my hand. At first, I’m not sure I can eat it, but I take a bite to please him. Immediately, my mind clears, and I realize I desperately need nourishment.
It’s not just for the baby, either. The magic drained me.
I munch through a couple more pastries, taking big gulps of iced tea. When I’m finally done, I look up to see Brad staring at me.
“Are you okay?” I mumble through a mouthful of cookie. “You’re staring at me like I’m about to disappear.”
“You’re saying that like it just didn’t happen,” he answers a little sternly. “From my perspective, you did disappear. Then, when I finally get to you, you’re in more danger than I could have imagined. Not just your ex, but the damn snake as well! I thought it was all over for everybody, but it just gave Grace a sly look and slithered away.”
“Why Grace?” I ask softly.
Brad shakes his head. “No idea. She didn’t do anything in the fight, if that’s what you’re thinking. Nothing that would draw the snake’s attention to her, anyway. She was coming out to help you, but she sure as hell didn’t shoot lightning bolts from her eyes or anything.”
I chuckle at the mental image. “So, everyone’s okay, though? And Paul, he’s dead?”
“Yeah,” Brad answers. “He’s dead. There wasn’t much left of him once your magic was done. Just a mashed-up corpse.”
“Wow,” I whisper. “I never knew I had that much power.”
“I did,” Brad says, and I look up at him with surprise.
“You always knew I was a witch?”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” he says. “I just always knew you were special. That there was something wonderful about you.”
His words make warm tingles run through me, and I reach out to draw him close, kissing him.
“I almost lost you, Alisha,” he whispers through our kisses. “For the second time. And I swear to God, I will never let it happen again. I don’t deserve to be forgiven for leaving you all those years ago, and I know that. Just give me the chance to make it up to you. All I want is you, for the rest of my life.”
His words touch me, and tears spring to my eyes as I stroke his face.
“You know, when Paul was making me walk through the woods, and then when things got really bad out at the circle, all I could think about was that there was one place I’d always felt safe—and only one place.”
Brad pulls back a little, his face showing the beginnings of disappointment.
“It’s right here,” I say, touching him on the chest. “In your arms. I was so close to dying, and scared out of my mind, and all I wanted was to be in your arms.”
Brad reaches for me, and our lips meet in a deep, passionate kiss. He pushes me back onto the couch, and I stop him.
“Wait.”
“Of course,” he says. “You’re tired and hurt. Not the time to make out. Are you badly injured?”
“No,” I answer with surprise. “He gave me a nasty wound on the shoulder, but it looks healed now. Something to do with the magic, I guess. Also, for the record, I always want to make out with you, but there are some things I need to say.”
“Yes, my love?” he says, gently brushing my hair off my cheek.
“I have never loved anyone, or anything, as much as I love you,” I whisper. “After you left, I had to push my memories of you into a dark corner of my mind just to survive. And then, when I saw you again, I had to fight it, because I knew I wouldn’t survive a second time.”
“Oh, my love—”
“No, let me finish. I believe that it was fate that brought us together, and no matter where I went or what I did, I was always going to find myself running to you.”
“And I’ll always be here, my arms wide open, ready for you,” he answers, smiling.
“Okay, one last revelation,” I say. “I’m not sure how to say this.”
