Chris snorted. “I’d say. You were harnessing so much through the bonds, it’s a miracle you’re not a vegetable.”
“Did he say anything helpful?” Adrian asked softly. Bless him.
Dastien massaged my temples, and some of the pain dissipated.
“Not really.” Talking made me nauseated, so I tried to keep it limited. “He’s far, but on his way now. He said I’d have to merge witchcraft with something else. I was pulled out before he could say. Any ideas?” I tried to sit up, but started to fall.
“Whoa.” Dastien caught me before I could hit the ground. “I got you.” He pulled me onto his lap. He scooted so he was leaning against the cabinets. I leaned against him listening to his steady heartbeat.
“What’s wrong with me?”
Dastien brushed my hair back from my face, and pressed a kiss to my head. “When I said you were drained, I meant it. It’s going to take a little bit before you get your strength back.”
This wasn’t good news. “I don’t have time to spare.”
“You should eat something,” Adrian said. “It’ll help.”
Dastien stood in one swift motion with me cradled in his arms. “It’s dinner time anyway,” he said. “Let’s go. We should all eat.”
He started to walk out the door, but I stopped him. “Wait. I want to say bye to Meredith.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Dastien said to them.
The others left as Dastien stepped up to Meredith’s bed, my body still cradled in his arms.
I reached out with a shaky hand, brushing back a piece of sweaty hear from her face. Her color was worse, if that were possible. Her hand felt like skin and bones in mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pull from you, too. I only wanted to help you, but I’m making it worse.” I sighed. “I talked to Donovan though. He’s on his way back. We’ll figure something out. Just hang on.” I looked up at Dastien. “If I took power from her, can I give it back?”
“The only reason you could pull the power is because you’re stronger than her. But giving it back…that’s trickier.”
“But I pulled from you and you’re stronger than me. Aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure who’s stronger, but I’m your mate. We can send it back and forth without any cost.”
“I must be really out of it, because that made a little bit of sense.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Don’t you dare give me your power.”
“What do you think I’m doing right now?”
“Stop it.” I didn’t want him hurting like I was.
“Relax. I’m giving you a little at a time. We’ll eat, and you’ll be fine. We’ll both be fine.” He stepped into the hallway and pushed open the door to the outside with his back.
Sunlight hit my face, and my head didn’t throb. I relaxed against his shoulder. “I’m feeling better already.”
“Good.”
“Thanks for taking care of me.”
“It’s my pleasure, cherie,” he said as he started across the courtyard.
It was a different experience, trusting him as much as I did. At times it really felt like we were halves of each other. Like he was an extension of me, but also his own person. I didn’t have to worry about how I acted or what I did or said. He wouldn’t judge me, and he didn’t mind helping me when I got in over my head.
Who would’ve thought that the guy I flirted with in a bookstore would one day feel like an essential part of my life?
I remembered that conversation, talking about favorite songs. It reminded me of something. “Hey, babe.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really looking forward to going dancing with you.”
He rubbed his chin on the top of my head. “What made you think of that?”
“Do you remember that day in the bookstore?”
“It wasn’t that long ago, cherie, but you could ask me again in fifty years and I’ll still say yes. I’ll never forget the first conversation I had with my mate.”
Heat spread through my body. “That was a good day.”
“It was.” He paused. “You’re feeling awfully sentimental right now.” It was a statement not a question.
“Yeah. Seeing what happened between Meredith and Donovan got to me.”
“Ah.” He left it at that, not pressing me for any questions and I really appreciated it.