Chapter 13 Helping him
Dust
I guide River back to his room, his arm slung around my shoulder, each step a reminder of how fragile he is right now. I can feel his warmth against me, but it’s mixed with the chill of the reality we’re facing. The words echo in my mind ‘death to the princess.’ I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all some horrible mistake. Surely, they meant someone else. I’m just Dust, an ordinary girl caught in this extraordinary mess.
“River,” I murmur, glancing up at him as we slowly navigate the hallway. His face is pale, lined with pain, yet his jaw is set with determination. “Maybe he thought I was someone else. I mean, there has to be a mistake, right?”
River pauses, his brow furrowing, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. “I wish I could believe that,” he replies, his voice a low growl. “But I don’t think so. Someone out there wants you gone, and I won’t let that happen. When I am healed I will go question him myself.”
I want to argue, to tell him that I’m not special enough to warrant such attention, but the fierce look in his eyes silences me. He’s not just an Alpha; he’s my protector. And that realization sends a warmth through my chest, a flicker of something deeper than friendship.
We finally reach his room, and I help him into bed, my heart racing as he sinks into the soft sheets. I tuck the blankets around him, making sure he’s comfortable, every little movement a reminder of how much I care. I’m playing nurse, but it feels like so much more than that. I want to be here for him, to make him feel safe, even if I’m scared out of my mind.
“Dust,” River says softly, his voice barely above a whisper, and I lean closer, trying to catch his gaze. “Could you… would you lay down with me?”
My stomach flips at the suggestion, a rush of warmth flooding my cheeks. “Are you sure you’re up for that?” I ask, though my heart is already racing with anticipation.
“I just want to feel you close,” he murmurs, his eyes searching mine, and I can’t resist. I nod, sliding into bed beside him, our bodies just inches apart. The weight of the world outside seems to melt away as I curl up next to him, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my side.
He reaches for me, his arm draping over my shoulders, pulling me closer. “Thank you for being here,” he says, his breath warm against my ear.
I can’t help but smile, a mixture of relief and affection washing over me. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
In that moment, everything feels right, despite the chaos swirling outside. It’s only when I feel his lips brush against my forehead, soft and tentative, that I realize just how much I’ve been craving this connection. It’s not just the mate bond, but something even deeper, something that sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
He shifts slightly, tilting my chin up so our eyes meet, and I can see the flicker of vulnerability in his gaze. “Can I?” he asks, a hint of uncertainty coloring his voice.
“Can you what?” I whisper, my heart racing as I realize what he’s about to do.
“Kiss you?”
The question hangs in the air, electric and charged, and I nod, barely able to form words. “Yes, please.”
His lips brush against mine, soft and gentle, and it’s like the world fades away. The kiss deepens, and I find myself melting against him, every ounce of fear slipping away as warmth spreads through me. It’s sweet, tender, and filled with an unspoken understanding, and I can’t help but lean into him, wanting more.
When we finally pull away, my heart is racing, and I’m breathless. “Wow,” I manage to say, my cheeks flushed. “That was… amazing.”
He chuckles softly, his eyes still locked on mine, and I see a spark of something… something real. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he admits, his expression softening.
“Really?” I can’t help but grin, and the thought that he might feel the same way I do sends a thrill through me. “I thought it was just me.”
“No, Dust,” he says, his voice serious now. “You’re very important to me, you should know that by now.”
A warmth spreads through my chest, and I suddenly realize how much I’ve come to care for him. Even if the bond isn’t as strong as it should be for me, there’s something undeniable growing between us.
But then, reality crashes back in. “What if they come for you again?” I say, my voice tinged with worry. “What if they come for both of us?”
“We’ll figure it out,” he replies, determination etched on his face. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
I nod, and as we lay together, I can feel a sense of peace settling over me. Despite the danger, despite the poison coursing through his veins, I know that we’ll face whatever comes next together. River is strong, and I can be strong for him too.
As I drift off to sleep, nestled against him, my last thought is a vow to protect him as fiercely as he protects me.