Chapter 34

Chapter 34
Quanah
She was there, in my arms. Everything around us was the wreckage of the small wooden cabin I’d built years ago, a refuge where I escaped when I wanted to be far from everything. The cabin was gone, but she was still there.
I could feel her heart pounding against my chest, my hand covering her back, wrapped only in that ridiculous sheet.
I still couldn’t believe she’d actually done something so stupid. Luring that demon here—what was she thinking?
Her body trembled, reminding me of what really mattered in that moment. My son and her!
Fear had gripped me when I felt her power surge stronger and knew she’d drawn him there.
I had no idea she’d blown up the house, but I knew something big had happened. Our bond let me feel it.
I might never admit it in my life, but when I saw that thing talking to her, my heart tightened in my chest. Fear that she’d leave with him. In that moment, I didn’t think about our son; I could only think of Bridget going off with that being, turning her back on everyone and just leaving.
“We need to go,” I murmured against her hair.
I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I’d pulled her trembling body against mine. I needed to feel her, to hold her close to be sure she was still there and okay.
But then she broke into sobs, her small body shaking with them, leaving me unsettled.
I knew part of her pain was my fault. I could feel it, just as I could feel her jumbled thoughts.
At least one good thing came from her calling that creature and facing him head-on: now she knew who she was dealing with and how little he deserved her kindness.
Seeing her tell him to stay away from our son sparked a flame inside me, warming my heart with hope.
She wouldn’t go with him, and her contempt was clear to anyone.
“Promise me one thing.” Her voice came, but she still hadn’t lifted her face from my chest.
“What?”
“No matter what happens, you’ll protect our son.” Her words caught me off guard.
I didn’t expect her to be so attached to the child in so little time. After all, witches weren’t known for loving the children of werewolves they slept with.
“You don’t even need to ask that…”
“I do!” She cut me off. “I need to be sure you’ll protect him, even if everyone’s afraid of his powers or wants to kill him.”
If she thought I’d stop protecting my son just because of that, she was dead wrong. But she didn’t know me, didn’t know what I was capable of to protect those by my side.
“I don’t scare easily. He or she would have to try pretty damn hard to manage that, and even then.” I tried to lighten the mood, but it didn’t work. “Listen,” I touched her chin and tilted her face up until she was looking at me. “I’ll protect this child with my own life if I have to! Nothing and no one can change my mind.”
Bridget sniffed, not caring about her appearance—disheveled, naked, sad. Her eyes and nose red from crying, her nose running, and still, she was too beautiful for my sanity.
“You’re going to make me cry again.” Finally, her hands left my torso and fanned her eyes, as if that would stop the tears. “These hormones have turned me into a complete sap.”
I wanted to say something to her, something nice and witty, but everything was already so messed up in her head, I didn’t want to make it worse.
“Let’s go. You need to rest. I see you don’t like calm mornings and quiet days, do you?”
The shadow of a smile crossed her face, but that was all I managed to get from her before she started adjusting the sheet, trying to find the best way to tie it around her body.
If she hadn’t destroyed the cabin, I could’ve offered her a shirt, but I doubted we’d find anything under all that mess now.
We walked in silence for much of the way. Bri didn’t say anything, but I knew a thousand different thoughts were swirling in her head, and I could feel her heart wasn’t happy.
When I saw her steps start to falter, I didn’t hesitate to scoop her up. She was so tired and emotionally drained that she didn’t have the strength to protest, just rested her face on my shoulder and let me carry her.
That’s how I entered our territory with her in my arms. Several guards ran toward me, asking if we were hurt when they saw us.
When I finally reached my house, Peta was staring at me from the doorway, his face tight with concern. After all, I’d told him I had no plans to return so soon, and there we were, back the same day.
His eyes shifted to Bridget, asleep in my arms, and I couldn’t miss the way he scanned her from head to toe.
“What did you do to her?” was the first thing out of his mouth.
I laughed at his question but didn’t bother answering, marching inside with her in my arms. I went straight to my room; I wouldn’t leave her anywhere else, no matter what she said.
“Quanah!” Seth’s voice reached me as I got to the bedroom door.
But one look was enough to shut him up. The last thing I wanted was for her to wake up.
I entered the room and laid her gently on the bed. Lying there, she looked fragile, not like a powerful witch whose father feared her powers.
She mumbled something I couldn’t make out as she nestled into the blankets and pillows. I leaned closer, hoping she’d say more, but nothing came.
I couldn’t help myself and ran my hand over her pale skin, tracing her delicate nose, getting lost in her freckles.
My broken, confused, lost girl in the middle of this storm.
Mine? Where did that come from? What was happening to me, and why was this damned urge to protect her screaming in my heart?
I covered her body and stepped back as quickly as I could.
“What happened to her?” Peta didn’t let me get far; he was already waiting at the bedroom door. “Why are you back so soon?”
He was persistent and wouldn’t let me off without an answer.
“She used her powers to destroy the cabin and break the spell so Koschei could appear…”
“What? How did you let that happen?”