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She sniffed and buried her face in my neck, the two of us rocking together on the floor of the enchanted cabin.
I could see why Audrina kept her family out here. There was a certain element of peace out here in the obscurity of this creepy forest.
For over an hour, Mirielle lay silently in my arms until her breathing slowed and deepened, and I realized she had fallen asleep. I stood and collected her into my arms, bringing her to one of the surprisingly spacious bedrooms at the back of the cottage, and tucked her into bed as the sun fully set, enveloping the cottage in sheer blackness. But even so, I didn’t move, my senses on high alert, my body on guard for my mate.
And my mind raced to devise a way to save her from the Order of Souls, who had already murdered her entire family.
Chapter16
Mirielle
Iwoke with a huge gasp, sweat tinging my face.
“It’s all right, Miri. I’m here.” Zen’s soothing tone called out in the darkness but didn’t immediately calm me as I tried to get a hold of my bearings.
Suddenly, the moments before I’d fallen asleep came rushing back to me in a torrent.
“Why is it so dark in here?” I mumbled, turning toward the sound of his voice. “Are we still in the cottage?”
His muscled arms enclosed around me, and I instantly relaxed, the flicker of a flame illuminating nearby as he used magic to light a candle on a nearby dresser. The eerie glow cast shadows all throughout the room, making me wish for darkness again.
“How long was I asleep?” I asked sheepishly, stifling a yawn. “I didn’t mean to go down.”
“You had a lot to process,” he told me comfortingly. “And you’ve been running on fumes for days now.”
I yawned and stretched, my toes jutting out from underneath a quilt that Zen had found to cover me. I trailed my fingers along the intricate stitching, trying to conjure more memories of the place where I had found myself.
“I think we should stay here tonight,” Zen suggested. “But I’m going to have to touch base with Endora and let her know, since we promised to be back.”
I cocked my head on the pillow. “We can still head back, unless you’re too tired to drive.”
“I don’t want to wander through the forest at night—even in my animal form. Too many unknowns are out here. And it’s like I said last time—we’re on their turf. Let’s not bother them.”
“Point taken,” I agreed, forgetting for a minute where we were.
It was easy to do when it was just the two of us, in the cottage, away from everything and everyone else.
But Zen didn’t move, his hand stroking my hair as he studied my face. “Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”
I was a bit hungry, but I didn’t mention it. I knew we had some snacks in our pack, which I could nibble on later. For now, I just wanted to lie there with Zen and try to remember as much as I could about my life in that cottage with my parents.
“Just you. That’s all I need.”
“I’m glad to see that sleep didn’t change that,” Zen commented lightly, his palm cupping my face.
“Nothing will change that, Zen. I’ve never felt safer or more complete than when I’m with you. I’ve never known what it’s like to be secure before I met you, but since we met, you’ve gone out of your way to make sure I’m protected.”
His eyes bored into mine. “And I always will, Little Mouse. You’re my mate.”
“But it’s not just that, is it?” I pressed. “You have always taken care of your kingdom.”
He grimaced lightly. “I try.”
“Agnan and the Order have made it difficult, but you, you’re willing to die for anyone in Silverhold.”
He didn’t answer me, but he didn’t have to. I could read the answer on his face.
“Tell me what you do remember about your time here,” he said, changing the subject abruptly, my intensity clearly making him uncomfortable. “I know you were young when you lost your parents, but any little detail might help me understand how Agnan found your mother.”
