She stared blindly at the fire while his words continued circling endlessly through her thoughts.
Love you for the rest of our days.
The certainty in his voice had shaken something deep inside her. Kaelan loved her and had from the first touch. How was she supposed to understand something like that?
Bria pressed trembling fingers lightly to her lips, still able to recall the warmth of his kisses, the fierce tenderness in his touches, and the overwhelming emotions she had felt inside him. Part of her wanted to surrender completely to him in return.
The realization unsettled her enough that she rose abruptly from the bed and began pacing slowly around the small cottage. She tried to sort through her thoughts logically.
Did she love him? The question alone made her chest tighten painfully. How could she possibly know so quickly?
But had she not already begun wondering the same herself?
She felt his absence whenever they were apart and felt calmer whenever he stood near. And whenever he touched her or held her hand, she felt safe. Even naked in the pool with him, she felt safe.
And now that he stood outside instead of beside her, she wanted to go to him. Wanted to step outside into the rain and slip herself willingly into his arms as though that was where she belonged.
Surely that meant something.
Bria stopped beside the table and pressed both hands flat against it, frustration building steadily inside her.
Nothing made sense to her anymore, certainly not the strange connection between them. And certainly not the way her heart ached simply because he stood outside instead of beside her.
With an aggravated sigh, Bria reached for the pitcher of cider sitting upon the table, desperate for something ordinary to distract her thoughts and to quench her thirst.
The moment her fingers curled around the handle—the world vanished.
A violent image slammed into her mind so suddenly she gasped aloud.
The beast.
He was massive, his fur as white as snow, and terrifyingly close. Its glowing golden eyes locked directly onto hers. His jaws opened wide in a savage roar so thunderous it seemed to shake the very ground beneath her feet.
Hot breath blasted across her face while droplets of saliva struck her skin. It felt so real, too real.
Bria cried out and stumbled backward as terror ripped through her. The pitcher slipped from her grasp and shattered against the floor.
Darkness rushed over her instantly and she collapsed unconscious beside the table.
Chapter Sixteen
A Strange Encounter
A Promise Made
Kaelan remained outside only a short while longer before the rain strengthened once again. Cold droplets struck steadily against his face and cloak while wind stirred through the trees surrounding the village. Yet none of it cooled the restless thoughts churning inside him.
He had to let it go. He had a mission to complete. Besides, it rested with Bria now. It was her decision to make.
He turned his head, hearing something from inside the cottage. Had Bria called out? He didn’t waste a moment. He shoved the door open so hard it struck the wall behind it.
“Bria,” he called out, fear hitting him when she didn’t answer him.
The sharp scent of spilled cider reached him then and he saw her. She lay motionless beside the shattered pitcher, pale against the stone floor.
For one terrifying instant, Kaelan could not breathe. His heart slammed hard against his ribs. He crossed the room in seconds and dropped down beside her, glancing over her quickly. With no sign of harm, he hastily slid his arms beneath her, lifting her against him.
Limp. Her body was completely limp in his arms.
