Callum hung his head, his whole face scrunching in regret. Aaron’s power came from his hands, possessing the strength of ten men despite his boyish stature.
“But the rest... he’s going to be fine.”
Aaron’s smooth, easy respirations were audible. Callum lifted his head to find the once-giant puncture in Aaron’s chest had gone. Lionel pulled the tube from his side, and soon that wound faded too, only the faintest scars remaining.
Callum heard Helaina’s breath give out, like she had been holding it in since Lionel arrived.
She had stayed with Aaron. She could have run and abandoned him. She could have saved herself—but she didn’t.
Callum laid his head on his brother’s chest as Lionel left his side to fetch more items to tend to the arm.
“I owe you my life, Helaina,” Callum blurted out through tears. He didn’t care that he was crying. He didn’t even recognize his own voice. “Thank you.”
He didn’t hear a reply. His shoulders shuddered as he wept to the sound of Aaron’s steady heartbeat.
CHAPTERFORTY-TWO
Theo watched Helaina buckle again as she tried to stand. He moved to catch her, but she put her palm out to stop him. She braced her other arm on the cold stone, lifting herself upright.
He found himself standing there, arms outstretched, wanting to touch her. The allure of her skin on his fingertips was more than temptation. It was an obsession.
His hands had caused so much dread and death. For as long as he could remember, his power had tried to fight its way to the surface. His trained focus and ability to keep a tight leash on that monster inside were only achieved with years of practice and solitude. There had been times he had lost that inner battle, hurting those he cared for without intention. It was why nearly ninety years of self-imposed distance from the world was so necessary, so crucial.
Helaina, however, was different from anyone he’d ever known. He could feel her immunity every time he brushed her skin. His power couldn’t reach her, couldn’t hurt her. There was freedom in touching her, a kind of serenity. It’s why he continued to get so painfully close at every opportunity. That intoxicating feeling of freedom, not having to hold back or restrain himself out of concern for consequences. He was enthralled by it. He was enthralled by her.
It wasn’t just her presence, it was her body. Now that she was whole again, he couldn’t help but notice her. Seeing that sweet, supple frame in the bathing chamber was an image he couldn’t shake. He replayed the memory over and over in his head, imagining tracing the line of her spine all the way down.
He hadn’t been the only one aroused down there. She had felt the same attraction. He saw it in her lingering gaze, smelled it on her scent. She simply loved denying it to vex him; he was sure of it.
He had told Orm she belonged to no one, but that was false. She was forhim. He felt it every waking moment she was near. Every time he caught her contradictory scent lingering in the air—longing desire mixed with uncertainty and anticipation—it left him unhinged and wanting.
It had been so long since he’d lain with another. Not since he had tried again with Breyer so many years ago. That had ended fucking terribly.
How had this mortal hypnotized his senses so fully? He was more ancient than anyone under this mountain. Feelings like this shouldn’t exist anymore for him.
Yet here he was.
He had always imagined a partner with power to match his own, one who could survive this life by his side. When he found Helaina, she was so shattered, he thought there was no way that could ever be her, that she could never match his strength.
Tonight had him second-guessing that.
He approached quietly, bringing his hands around her wrist. She jerked her arm away. The low sigh he released was one of disappointment. He couldn’t stand her retreating, not tonight.
He tried to school his features into his best version of sincerity.
“Aaron’s safe now. Come, let’s get you cleaned up.”
She was in shock, that much he knew. He wasn’t sure if it was from performing her little procedure or from Callum’s haunting tale. Her eyes were glassy, and she wasn’t fully there.
“We should stay. What if they need help again? What if...” Her voice was detached as she trailed off.
“Let them have time,” Theo said. “Callum will call if he needs us. For now, you are covered in blood and dirt and yet again need a bath in my presence.”
From the look on her face, his attempt at a lighthearted joke was not well received. Did he even remember how to joke or play? He wasn’t sure.
She opened her lips to protest. “But I?—”
“Don’t argue this one time, please?”
