Page 61 of Freed By the Witchbone Knife

“You knew this was here—of course you did.” She let out an incredulous, angry laugh. “It’s your land. Why wouldn’t you? When I told you I was looking for a cave, you never said you didn’t know where it was. How could I have been so naive?”

“You aren’t naive.” He didn’t like that. The way she blamed herself. “I had the opportunity to tell you, and I didn’t. You trusted that I would, and I didn’t.”

“And why is that, Axel?” She crossed her arms, her gaze colder than he’d ever seen it. “You know how desperate I am to break this curse. You know I have a stalker ex trying to manipulate me. So, please. Tell me why?”

His throat worked as he swallowed. It was like his mouth was filled with sand. “At first, it was because of what you are—a witch. Trespassing on my property.”

“We moved past that weeks ago,” she burst out, cheeks flushed with anger.

“Yes, then it became something else.”

“What?” Birds took flight at her raised voice.

He took a step back, cowed. Because for the first time, he could see what she would be like with her full magic. Truly formidable. And yet, that didn’t scare him. Not like it might have weeks ago. Because he knew her better than that. Knew she would never harm him with her magic.

He licked his lips. “I… I like being near you. Thought that if I let you search on your own, it would take you longer.” He ran a hand through his hair, failing to hide his growing agitation.

It was this place. That dark opening. He wanted to be as far away from it as possible. Yet, he wouldn’t dare retreat. Not now.

Rebecca’s expression softened, but only slightly. “You didn’t tell me because you wanted to spend time with me?”

It sounded almost childish, the way it came out. If she knew the true extent of it, she might understand. But he couldn’t tell her. Wouldn’t.

“And now?” She lifted her brows. “Let me guess, Ambrose’s threatening messages.”

At the reminder of Blackthorn, he growled and closed the distance between them, even if it meant putting himself closer to the cave’s entrance. “I will not let that manky bastard marry you. He doesn’t get to have you.”

“Of course. Everything makes sense now.” She let out another incredulous laugh devoid of humor. “I can’t believe you hid this from me.”

He could think of so many arguments, so many variants of the same explanation. But every single one was an excuse.

So he did the one thing he could. Something he’d never been particularly good at. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. It was badly done.”

Her lips parted. “Did you just apologize to me?”

“Aye, lass.” His accent had thickened. “Can ye forgive me? Let me help you fix this. Break your curse.”

“I…” She exhaled, then turned towards the cave’s mouth. The wind picked up. It carried a chill characteristic of October. A strand of her hair came free, crossing her face, across her mouth. Her lush lips. Lips he couldn’t stop staring at. He reached out and brushed the strand back, hooking it behind her ear.

Her gaze cut to his. He saw the emotion there. Anger warring with something softer.

“You really didn’t tell me because you liked having me around?”

He sucked in a breath. “I do.”

“But you said⁠—”

“I know exactly what I said. And that was badly done as well.”

“You were trying to push me away. Even though you wanted me close.” He hummed in confirmation. “Why?”

“Can’t tell you.”

“How about you try?”

“No.”

She sighed. “Fine. Then I suppose there’s no point to this conversation.”