AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’d like that.”
She polishes off a few more chocolates, and I finish my soup and tea, feeling much better. I’m too restless to sleep, and I know Bec is too, so I make another suggestion.
“Do you want to help me make some jewelry?”
She perks up. “Really?”
“Yes. I need a new batch for the shop in the city. Maybe we can make some oil blends, too, if we have time.”
“I’d love that,” Bec says.
“Okay, well, you go on in and get out the jewelry box, will you? You can start looking at some stones and crystals for ideas. I’ll join you in just a minute.”
Bec nods and heads through the adjoining door while I pop into the bathroom to slip on my robe. It’s still raining outside, and there seems to be a chill in the air tonight, though I can’t tell if it’s from the storm or what’s happening downstairs. It’s been silent, although I did hear a car pull up earlier. I suspect Azrael went outside to join them, and that’s why we haven’t heard anything. I’m anxious for Azrael’s return, but I have a feeling I may not see him until the late hours.
Once I have my slippers on, I head back through the adjacent door to join Bec, only to stop when I see her staring down at a baby book in her hands.
Shit.
I completely spaced out that the shopping bags were in here.
“Bec.”
She startles when she hears her name, nearly dropping the book in a panic. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t snooping. I mean, I wasn’t trying to or anything. I just saw the bags, and I thought maybe you got some new clothes, and I wanted to see—”
“It’s okay,” I assure her with a shaky smile.
She hurries to put the book back into the bag it came from before she wraps her arms around herself, looking everywhere but at me.
“I’m really sorry,” she blurts again. “Should I go?”
“Of course not,” I tell her. “Sit down, please. I need your help with this jewelry.”
She seems to relax a little as she does, but the silence between us can’t be ignored. I know she wants to ask, so I decide to confront the situation head-on.
“I guess you’ve figured out our little secret,” I say, trying for casual, although secretly, I’m terrified. Not because I don’t trust Bec, but the more people who know, the higher the chances are of Salomé finding out.
Bec releases a breath, and when she looks up at me, I’m relieved to see the excitement in her eyes. “Is it really true? I’m going to be an aunt?”
“Yes.” I nod. “You are.”
“I knew it,” she murmurs. “This is so awesome.”
Her happiness is contagious, and I don’t want to ruin it, but it has to be said.
“It is,” I tell her. “But can you do me a favor and keep this between us for now? Your brothers know, but we think it’s best Salomé doesn’t find out just yet.”
Bec’s smile dims as she considers it, but she nods. “Okay. I won’t tell.”
Relieved to put that behind us, I sit beside her and start rifling through my jewelry box. Bec chooses a few crystals and gemstones that she likes, and we get to work. I teach her how to wrap different pieces, and after a couple of hours, we have some bracelets, pendants, and even a few rings.
I can tell Bec is having fun, but the late hour is starting to wear on both of us. When she yawns, I decide to call it a night.
“Maybe we can work on some candles and oils this week,” I tell her.
“Okay.” She sets the jewelry on the altar. “Can you show me how to make a vanilla-scented oil too? Like the one you have?”
“Of course.” I consider it, pondering a few ideas she might like for scents. “We’ll make a day of it.”
“Thank you, Willow.” Bec rises to her feet, stifling another yawn. “This was fun.”
I’m stirred from sleep when the weight of the bed dips beside me, and I feel Azrael’s warmth as he wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me closer. His head rests above mine, his body a fortress surrounding me, and it feels so right that it would be easy to drift back into oblivion. But instead, I open my eyes, noting I forgot to shut the curtains as moonlight spills through the window, casting a glow over the bed.
It isn’t until I turn in his arms to face him that Azrael realizes I’m awake, and he reaches up to touch my face.
“What is it?” he asks, concern tightening his features. “Another nightmare?”
“No.” I smile softly. “I just wanted to do this.”
I press my lips against his, and he relaxes into the kiss, his fingers fisting the material of my nightgown. The subject of Salomé hangs heavy in the air, but I don’t want to talk about it right now, and instinctively, I know that isn’t what he needs either.
