Page 123 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

My stomach growled, loud enough to break the quiet. Eager to see Axel, I made a trip to the bathroom before heading for the door. Everything was quiet—a calm sort of quiet. My socked feet padded into the great room where I stopped short.

Axel sat on the couch, a book open in one hand. But he wasn’t reading. His head was bowed slightly, his attention focused on Basil and Sage.

Both bunnies were nestled in his lap, Basil’s gray fur stark against Axel’s dark jeans, Sage’s black coat merging with the shadows. Axel’s hand moved slowly, absently, stroking down Basil’s floppy ears with a gentleness that made my throat close up.

The massive werewolf who’d battled a witch last night to protect me was sitting on his couch petting my bunnies like they were the most precious things in the world.

I must have made a sound—a tiny intake of breath—because his head whipped toward me.

“Rebecca. You’re awake.”

His voice was rough, like he hadn’t slept. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and even from here I could see the tension in his shoulders.

“I’m awake. Judging by the time, looks like I slept through my first class of the day.”

He moved quickly but carefully, lifting both bunnies and setting them gently on the couch cushion beside him before standing. Then he was crossing the room and I was moving too, meeting him halfway.

“Already reached out to the college. Let the admin know you were sick. They posted notes on the doors for your classes.”

“Oh. Thank—thank you. That was thoughtful.”

He stopped in front of me, pulling me against his chest. One hand cupped the back of my head, the other wrapped around my waist, holding me tight.

“How do you feel?” His voice rumbled against my ear. “Are you hurt? Dizzy? Any pain?”

“I’m fine.” I pressed closer, breathing him in. Pine and woodsmoke and something so uniquely him that I wanted to hold it in my lungs and never let it out. “I’m okay. How are you? You were hurt—I saw him hit you⁠—“

“I’m healing, sweetheart.” He pulled back just enough to look down at me, scanning my face. “Ribs are almost better. Another few hours and I’ll be back to normal. Let me see your hand.”

Without waiting for permission, he pulled back and lifted my injured palm, removing the bandage. It had already turned into a scab. Witches weren’t like other supernaturals. We were mortal, with normal lifespans. Which meant we could be killed just as easily as any human. I wondered about healing it, knowing witches could heal injuries if they used magic. I still had a bit of energy left in me.

So I closed my eyes and focused, directing my magical energy and my will into what I wanted. My face scrunched up. I probably looked ridiculous, but it was worth it when I opened my eyes to find nothing more than a pink line.

Axel’s lips parted. “Well, there you are.”

“It worked!” I grinned.

“Looks like you got your magic back, lass.” There was something almost…conflicting in his voice. Like he was both happy and sad at the same time.

“I got it back, thanks to you,” I said. “Though I don’t know whether to thank you or yell at you.”He huffed. “Axel, you put yourself in danger. Ambrose—he could have⁠—”

“I would do it again if it meant protecting you.”

I sighed, because I knew he would. “You made it through the cave all on your own.”

“I had good reason to.”

I worried my bottom lip, looking him over. “I’m so proud of you.”

He frowned, completely confused. “What the hell for?”

“For conquering the cave, dummy. What do you think? You did it.”

He blew out a breath. “Like I said, little witch, I would do it all again if it meant protecting you. If it meant helping you get your magic back. And it worked. You broke the curse.”

“I broke the curse,” I echoed. So why did my chest suddenly feel so tight?

“Are you hungry?” He was already pulling away, putting distance between us. “You haven’t eaten since yesterday. I’ll make you something.”