“Are you kidding? It was like something out of a movie or… ugh… that sounds so pathetic. Didn’t it feel like it was meant to happen?”
It was like we were in each other’s heads, because she was using words that were flowing through my own mind right now.We were on the same page. Was anything ever as amazing as this moment?
“First time of many, Glory. It’s you and me now, right?”
She nodded, snuggling against my chest, happy and relaxed. Which is why the way she woke me was such a shock.
Someone was speaking, orwere they whispering? I slowly opened my eyes, trying to wake up, and the bloodcurdling screams were still a shock to my system. Like a piercing alarm that set every nerve ending on edge.
I shot up in the bed, and found Glory in the corner, curled in on herself, screaming for help. What the fuck?
My sleep-addled brain somehow absorbed the fact that towering over her right now wouldn’t be a good move, so I dropped down onto the floor and kinda crawled to her, calling out her name softly and trying to shush her. It wasn’t because I wanted her to be quiet for my sake, but because it sounded like her screams were being torn from her throat, something only abject terror could create.
“Glory, sweetheart, please. It’s me, you’re safe.”
I reached her, and hesitated. Should I touch her? Should I not? I rested a hand on her arm, and she screamed again, jerking away from my touch, heavy gasping sobs leaving her throat as she pressed herself back against the wall, her eyes darting around the room as she looked for something, anything, and I wished I knew what the fuck that was.
“You’re safe. Glory, it’s me… H… Nate. I’m here.”
She blinked rapidly, her breathing so harsh and raspy that she sounded more beast than person right now.
“N… Nate?”
I fucking hated that name now, but for her, I’d be him if that’s what gave her comfort.
“Yeah. It’s me. I’m here. Can you look at me?”
Her eyes were still darting around, her hair hanging in her face as if she’d been running from something, and hell, maybe she had.
“Glory?”
Her eyes finally settled on me, and she sucked in shallow breaths, trying to calm herself.
“N… I’m safe?”
I nodded, holding out a hand to her, which she stared warily at for a moment, before she suddenly reached for it, her chilled fingers locking on mine in a death grip.
“He’s not here?”
That fucking asshole was still tormenting her? Jesus. I tugged her toward me and she fell into my arms, shivering violently as she curled into me, maybe trying to leach heat from me, since she was so chilled. Had she been out of the bed for ages? It didn’t feel cold in here, but maybe she’d burned through her internal fuel with all the anxiety and terror.
“I’ve got you, Glory. You’re safe. Can I lift you into bed? You’re freezing.”
She nodded jerkily, her free hand latching around the back of my neck as I moved, lifting her as I struggled to my feet. I’d been half crouched, half kneeling, and that hadn’t given me the best balance for this, but no way in hell was I letting go of her right now.
“I… sorry… I… he was…” her words kept breaking off, like she was trying to both speak them and cut them off, holding them back. Did she think she couldn’t tell me? Did she need Lissa?
I sat on the bed, and dragged the covers around her trembling form, cradling her against me as I rocked us gently.
“You’ll never be in danger again, sweetheart. I’ve got you. Shhh…” I just murmured over and over again that she was safe, that he was gone, and that I’d never let anything hurt her, until I realised she’d dozed off in my arms. I wriggled carefully back against the headboard, and held her all night.
Glory
Waking in Henley’s armswas the best way to wake, like I’d tried all the bad ways, and finally found the right one. He looked exhausted, clearly already awake, and when I sat up and pulled back from him, he groaned and stretched his back, a disturbing crunching sound filling the quietness as he moved.
“I’m sorry.”
His look wasn’t quite a glare, more a sharp look that made me feel virtually spanked without being threatening.
