Page 97 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"You're lucky to be alive. Your injuries were extensive, and Julius drained you just short of death. My blood will heal you, but it will take some time for your body to produce what's missing."
I probably needed a transfusion. Not gonna happen. A trip to the hospital would bring questions I wasn't prepared to answer.
"How did you find me?"
"Poe. After I left Valentine's, he tracked me down. It took some time for him to convince me you were in mortal danger."
"And that was the only reason you came? Because I was in mortal danger?" I croaked.
He threw the rag into the basin, causing the water to slosh violently. "I came because I am your caretaker. I am bound to you. I have no choice but to come when you call, whether I want to or not."
"I tried to tell you at Valentine's, Rick-"
"-that you're in love with Logan? That you want your cake and to eat it too?" he hissed.
"Let me explain about Logan."
He clamped a hand over my mouth. "I don't want to talk about Logan, unless of course you would rather he care for you?"
I shook my head. Hurt darkened his gray eyes. I needed to explain that I hadn't wanted Logan to kiss me. I needed to tell him a leprechaun had drugged me, and it was all a big mistake. But I could see that he wasn't open to more conversation. He was still too raw, and I was so exhausted, I wasn't sure I could find the words.
He released my mouth. "Are you hungry?"
"I should tell you why they tortured me," I rasped.
With thumb and forefinger, he pinched my lips shut. "Not yet. We need you well, and I fear reliving the story will further drain you."
I nodded.
"I will prepare a meal for you."
"Out of what? You don't eat, and you don't have a phone to order food."
A ghost of a smile turned the corner of his lip. "I've been keeping some groceries lately, in hopes that you would stay more often." He spoke the words softly, like an admission.
The surrender in his voice broke my heart. Even though he believed I didn't return his feelings, he'd resolved himself to care for me. Tears pooled in my eyes and I swore that, when I was strong enough, I'd find a way to thank him. Then, I'd explain that I didn't love Logan at all and more, I'd figure out what this feeling was deep inside my chest, and I'd tell him about that too.
* * * * *
"Mi cielo, time to eat." Rick cradled my upper body in one arm while he stacked pillows behind my head.
I tried to sit up on my own and failed. Instead, I managed to wrap an arm around his neck to make it easier for him to reposition me. "Thank you," I whispered in his ear.
He closed his eyes and exhaled a shaky breath, hugging his cheek to mine until it was obvious he'd positioned the pillows as much as needed. Once he'd lowered me carefully into the soft nest he'd made, he lifted a bowl and ladled the soup.
"Open."
I did, and he poured the hot liquid into my mouth. I chewed and swallowed. "What kind of soup is this?" I asked. It tasted like herbal tea with vegetables, not exactly bad but not like my dad used to make... and my dad can't cook.
"I found a spell for a healing infusion of herbs and added some vegetables known to be healthful. The meat I'd purchased was spoiled but I can get some later if you'd like."
I swallowed another bite. It was growing on me. I could definitely feel healing warmth infusing my body from the brew. "It's fine," I said. "I think it's working."
His eyes twinkled with a smile that didn't quite reach his lips but warmed the air between us. Deep inside, that feeling filled me again, the one I'd felt when I'd watched him try to warn me about Monk when I was Isabella. I'd also experienced this when I'd woken up in Maison des Etoiles and when he'd saved me from Julius. I'd been in love before and this wasn't what I remembered; it was stronger. This emotion was a great and powerful mystery I wasn't ready to solve.
"Where did you find me anyway? Julius said he moved from Tiltworld."
"The coven has purchased the Thames Theatre, now in immediate need of renovation."
