Only the Strong, стр. 40

“Put him in Braden’s wing,” Aisling suggested. “That way Lily won’t wake him up if she starts crying tonight.”

Braden glared at his sister, something unsaid passing between them. “I’ll get you back for this,” he warned.

Aisling merely grinned. “Bring it on.”

I WAS EXHAUSTED WHEN BRADEN AND I finally turned in. After dinner, Cernunnos demanded a tour of the house — including the dungeon in the basement — and Sami insisted on going along for the ride. They talked for a long time, and I had to hand it to the oddball god, he had a way of communicating with the girl that didn’t have her attitude showing.

“I’m sorry about crossing through the gate,” I offered into the darkness after Braden switched off the light and settled. “I know you’re upset about that but ... I didn’t know what else to do. I felt I needed to go after her right away.”

“I know.” His voice was quiet. “I’m not angry.”

“No, I think you’re hurt more than anything. I don’t ever want to hurt you.”

“Not hurt. Well, not exactly.” His arm snaked around my waist and he tugged me so I was pressed in close at his side. “I don’t ever want to lose you, Izzy.”

There was naked emotion twined with the words and it caused a lump to form in my throat. “I’m sorry. I don’t ever want to lose you either. I just ... she’s impulsive.”

“And then some.” He brushed his lips against my forehead. “I know you can take care of yourself. I don’t ever want to insinuate otherwise. I don’t think I can live without you, though.”

I snorted. “You managed to live without me up until a few months ago.”

“Yes, but now you’ve managed to steal my heart. It’s not even mine anymore.” He tickled my ribs, making me gasp. “It belongs to you ... and I don’t want to fathom a world without you, so I need you to be careful.”

“I will be.” I meant it. I rolled so I was on top of him and he had nowhere to look but into my eyes. “I don’t think I can live without you any longer either. It’s sappy, I know, but we have this connection that defies words. I never thought I would have that sort of connection with another person.”

“I honestly didn’t think I would either.” He gently brushed my hair away from my face. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Don’t let that crazy mage talk you into doing something reckless. I know she’s powerful. You’re powerful, too. I get it. I’m afraid that the two of you are going to get into trouble if you try to be powerful together.”

I’d had the same thought, only from a different angle. “I think it’s far more likely that she’ll get in trouble and I’ll have to swoop in.”

“That’s the same conundrum in my book. Just ... think of me before you do something to endanger yourself. I need you.”

I pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

“Thank you.” He pulled me tight and then shifted so we were on our sides, our mouths inches apart. “Now, I declare this fight over. It’s time to make up.”

I laughed. “I didn’t realize we were fighting. I thought it was just a simple discussion.”

“I still want to make up.”

Before I could agree to his terms, a voice floated through the wall.

“Oh, make up with him,” Cernunnos called out. “The faster you do, the faster I can get some sleep. It’s rare that I have thousand-thread-count sheets. I want to enjoy them.”

I froze in Braden’s arms, dumbfounded. “Did you know he was in the room right next door?” I whispered.

Braden shook his head.

“I asked to be close to you,” Cernunnos called out. “I believe it would be for the best if there’s an attack from the revenants. We’ll make quite the fighting team.”

I sighed, resigned. “Thank you,” I yelled out to him. “We’ll be going to bed now. Goodnight.”

“And goodnight to you.”

I sent Braden a rueful smile and patted his chest before rolling off him. Romance would have to wait until we weren’t sharing a wall with a god.

Braden made a growling noise. “He’s moving into a different room tomorrow. That’s all there is to it.”

I could only hope he was right.