In the Beginning... by Calle J. Brookes Read Free Book Online Page B

been alone in the gardens, we wouldn't
be here now. Whatever—whoever—distracted them saved her life. See
she's fed as often as she will take it. Keep her wounds clean, and
she should pull through. Her recent humanness is in her favor.
You're looking at a month minimum recovery time. Probably closer to
twice that."
    An hour later the doctors left, after having
examined Cormac's injuries. He sat by the bed, his eyes trained on
Josey the entire time his hands were being stitched.
    Aodhan and Theo arrived shortly after. Mickey
threw herself into Theo's arms, sobbing. He rocked her until she
calmed. Aodhan's hand rose to hold Mal's shoulder and pull her
closer; for once she didn't pull away.
    Emily was afraid to ask the question on the
tip of her tongue. Aodhan seemed to understand. "He's...better.
He's sleeping, now. But he asked me to check on you one more
time."
    "I'm fine, just bruises." They'd almost died,
just that quickly, and she had only bruises to show for it. "I need
to change clothing. I need...I need...to see..."
    Mickey hugged her. "Go, Em. I'll stay here
with Josey. So will Mal."
     
    ****
     
    The suite had been darkened, only one light
burning when Emily entered. Guards had been posted outside their
door and bars covered the windows.
    Rydere slept, stretched over the center of
the bed. His large body took up so much of the space. Large and
strong. Thank God or the goddess he was always mentioning. Cotton
pants rode low on his hips, barely covering anything. His bandaged
chest rose and feel with even rhythm. His body was strong, healthy,
toned.
    She shuddered as she remembered how he had
looked fighting the wolves; how fiercely he'd battled. How he'd
yelled at her to get inside where she would be safe. Was that why
he'd rushed outside? To save her?
    Instinctively she knew it was. Her fingers
were gentle as they ran over the bandages, over the damage he’d
gained while protecting her and Josey.
    His body stilled beneath her exploring hands.
She looked at his face, seeing his eyes burning as he stared at
her. He lifted his hand to her face, rubbing at dirt she hadn't
realized she'd missed. "Emily, my love? Are you hurt?"
    "No."
    "How is your cousin?"
    "They say she should pull through." Emily's
breath shuddered out as she pulled her hands back. "In time."
    "Guess you won't be leaving soon, after all."
His words were soft, his hand gentle as it traced the cut on her
lip. "If I could, I'd kill those Lupoiux bastards all over again
for what they've done to you and your cousin."
    "What were they? And why...Werewolves."
    "Lupoiux. We've fought with them for
millennia. I knew you'd be a target as soon as word of your
existence got out. I'm sorry, Emily. For not keeping you safe. I
should have."
    "You couldn't have predicted what
happened."
    "Your home wasn't safe from me, was it?"
    "No." And it hadn't been, but she understood
him now. It might not have been noble, or honorable, what he'd
planned for her, but she understood it now. Wasn't she now feeling
her own stirring for vengeance against the creatures who'd harmed
her cousin, harmed her…harmed Rydere? "But I almost understand why
you did it. My grandfather must be stopped."
    "And I had no right involving you in my
battles with him."
    "But if you hadn't, we wouldn't be here right
now," Emily said.
    "No." He tightened his hold
on her hand. "I wouldn't have found you. I wouldn't have known I
had my Rajni in
this world. I cannot regret that, Emily. I regret what's happened
between us; that I've hurt and frightened and taken from you. That
your cousin was unprotected and nearly killed because I failed you.
But I cannot regret having found you."
    Emily didn't doubt he spoke the truth. It was
in his eyes and the tension of his body. She'd moved closer as he
spoke, until she was curled against him. "I'm not hurting you, am
I?"
    "No. But you can't stay long." His tone was
filled with regret as he brushed his lips over her forehead.
    "Why?"
    "Because I am not strong right