Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126030 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
A wave of lightheadedness overcame me. I gripped his shoulders as my head got woozy.
“Let’s get you home.” He buckled me in. “Stop healing Sebastian. He can be tired for now. You’ve overdone it.”
I shouldn’t have, because I’d gone that hard in practice before. Then again, this was a much higher elevation. That probably had something to do with it. Also, I was defending against spells from Sebastian this time. Usually, I was just doing spells towards trees.
The Jeep started, and I closed my eyes. As it rolled forward, I heard Austin say, “She doesn’t have enough energy. Is it dire?”
He must’ve been talking to Sebastian, who then responded, “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”
“It’s fine,” I said, more quietly than I’d meant to.
“They just need a nap and some food,” Nessa called. “We’re good.”
The wind of the moving vehicle felt good against my heated cheeks.
“That shifter hadn’t a hope of standing up to me,” I said, eyes still closed. “When in gargoyle form, they’d be sitting ducks. When on the ground, they’d have to sneak up on me or come at me with numbers. The first wave of those numbers would die before they were able to bring me down.”
“And now they know.”
“Yeah.” I heaved a sigh. “We already did, but it’s been a while since I’ve made it that clear.”
“But you’re forgetting the garhettes. I’ve gotten reports that a great many are squeezing their way into our territory. We need to start stockpiling weapons that they can use to level the playing field until we get more mages. Those blaster guns work at a distance. Throwing knives, axes... Hell, spears, I don’t know. They’re as fierce as the males but not so hardheaded. They’ll be easier to train, and they’ll want to prove themselves, one and all. We need to use them.”
“True. I heard they showed well at Kingsley’s.”
“They did, and not just on the battlefield. They are also incredible for community and morale. We had to adjust to the gargoyles, but I think the garhettes will fit in easily.”
I nodded as the Jeep slowed to a stop, and the engine cut off.
“C’mon, let’s get you inside.”
I didn’t bother trying to get out, just sat there and waited for him to open my door, unbuckle me, and lift me into his arms. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I snuggled in close.
“Food or nap first?” he asked.
“Maybe a protein shake and then a nap. Later, I’ll want a victory bang where you do most of the work.”
He laughed quietly. “Already in the plans, love.”
“You need to bulk up,” Sebastian said on the right, “so you can carry me like he’s carrying her.”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” Nessa replied.
Austin opened the door and carried me into our bedroom, where he laid me on our bed.
“Clothes on or off?” he asked. “Covers or no covers?”
“Just as I am is fine. I’ll be good in a while. Just need to give my body a chance to rest.”
“You need fuel. I’ll go make you a protein shake.”
“Thank you. I love you.”
He kissed my forehead before making his way out.
Nessa
“I’ll be nice and let you nap in my bed, so you don’t have to climb up to the top bunk.” Nessa pushed the front door open and marshalled Sabby through.
“I need food.”
“And I will make you food just as soon as I can stop babying you.”
“Just the table is fine for now,” Sebastian said, pointing toward the kitchen. “My brain is whirling. She’s gone after me with that level of power before. In the caves, remember?”
Austin paused in front of them. “Need help?”
“Nah, I’ve got it.” She gave him a salute. He nodded and went into the kitchen.
“No, I don’t remember,” Nessa told Sebastian, guiding him after Austin. “I was ineffectively hiding from a large gorilla and then being carried down to you like a sack of potatoes.”
“Oh, yeah, right.” Sebastian slouched against the edge of the table. “Crap, I’m tired.” She helped him climb into the seat, and he slumped forward, arms out on the surface. “Well, she’s always had more brute strength than me. She hammered me and hammered me until she eventually incapacitated me. And then she let me live.”
Nessa nodded as she stopped behind Austin. He was bent over, grabbing things out of the fridge. She would’ve offered to make something for Jessie and let him get back to his alpha meeting, but she knew it would be a waste of time. This shifter liked to take care of his mate, and cooking was his love language. He not only wanted the duty, but he also loved providing her something she so obviously cherished.
Nessa’s heart glowed for them. Theirs was such a perfect, reciprocal love. It was probably that, more than anything else, that kept peeling back Nessa’s reservations and letting her dare to hope there was someone out there who would treat her so well and with such devotion. Someone she could fully trust and open up to. Someone who wouldn’t judge her for her past and that would make her feel safe within that intimacy. She’d never thought anyone out there could forgive her multitude of wrongs, but now…