AllFreeNovel
Share Us
. You did?
She told me I had a choice.
Guilt suddenly struck her hard. I called you back, but maybe I shouldn’t have. You could have stayed on the other side.
He blinked several times but didn’t respond right away. His wounds had begun closing up fast now.
Take my hand, he said.
She finally slid her palms from his face and shifted to take his hand in hers. I wanted you safe.
Slowly, and with what to her seemed like tremendous effort, he lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed each one.
He pressed their joined hands to his chest. “I love you, Natalie.” Several heartfelt sighs traveled the group. “In the end, there was no real decision. I would have moved heaven and earth to get back to you. It just took me a while to realize what was going on.”
Despite his words and that color was returning to his cheeks, she gripped his hand hard afraid that he would leave again. There was so much she wanted to say, but not right now, not in front of so many people.
The doctor called out. “Let’s give them some privacy. Emma, please stay and keep doing what you’re doing.”
Natalie hadn’t realized just how many of the staff had gathered in the small space. By now, everyone knew Kryder had abducted and tortured him.
When only the three of them remained in the bay, she spoke aloud, “Do you want me to contact Ryan and let him know what’s going on?”
“I can do that.” He squeezed her fingers. “Give me a minute.”
He closed his eyes but kept her hand in his.
The conversation lasted several minutes, during which time the pressure of his fingers on hers, sometimes taut, sometimes more relaxed no doubt reflected the flow of the conversation.
When he was done, he sighed then opened his eyes once more. “Ryan is in shock both by the fact Kryder had gotten into the compound unseen and by how you got me out of his dungeon.”
“You did the heavy-lifting.”
“I suppose I did. But Natalie, thank you for getting us back here and for once again saving my life. When I was talking to Renee, I know she wanted me to return to you, but made it clear it was my choice and there would be no judgment, whether I remained in the afterlife or returned. I’m meant to be here and to be with you. That’s what I know for sure.”
She leaned down and kissed him, though it was an odd sensation to feel Emma’s healing vibration travel through her lips.
She rose up chuckling and met Emma’s gaze. “That tickled.”
The witch’s eyes were damp with tears. “I’m reminded of those difficult days with Vaughn. It’s worth it, in case you’ve been wondering.”
“I’m not wondering any longer.”
“I can tell.”
Natalie disengaged her hand from Grant’s only long enough to bring a chair close, so she could sit beside him. He immediately took her hand once more, though this time he closed his eyes.
He had to be exhausted from his recent ordeal with Kryder, not to mention drifting into the afterlife only to be brought back.
She let him rest but couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was a gift that had been returned to her like something from a fairytale. He was a complete miracle in her life, this time truly on all fronts.
She was so grateful he was back, that he’d chosen to return.
For a moment, she pondered what her life would have been like if she’d had to bury him, instead of holding his hand in the hospital. But what came to her, surprised her.
She would have grieved, but not like before. When Aaron had died, along with her baby, and as she relocated to Revel as a newly formed alter, she’d been left in a profound state of despair. Yet, she no longer felt that way about Five Bridges, or her new status as a fae-wolf. The experiences of the past three nights had changed her completely. She understood now that even if Grant hadn’t come back, she would have been okay moving forward alone.
Her journey had given her a new, stronger spirit with which to face the future. She had a purpose now, something she hadn’t had before. She was meant to work hard and to rid Five Bridges of as much of the evil in their world as she could.
