Page 32 of Midlife Animal Rescuer Dragon

“Because I—afilthyhybrid—dared to date and dump her asshole of a son,” she spat. “She’s hated me ever since I was born, and this was her opportunity to get rid of me.”

Ergog was silent again. What was he thinking? He didn’t believe her, did he? Even when the truth of the matter had become so obvious.

“A deception,” he said finally. “If what you say is true—”

“It is. It definitely is.”

“Then I’ve been hunting an innocent person.” His lip curled slightly. “I have been misled.”

He tucked his blades into his belt, turning to Henry for a moment before pulling his hood back over his head. When he faced Nora again, his jaw had tightened.

“My apologies,” he said. “I almost killed you. I’ll return to Isobel and the other witches and find out just how much of her claim is the truth.”

“And what if you find out they’ve been lying this whole time? What if I’m right?”

His voice was low as he said, “Then it will mean they have attempted to kill an innocent witch and deceived me in the process—an injustice that should be punished. If I find your claim to be true, Isobel and the other witches will die. That is all.”

And before Nora could come up with a response, he turned and headed for the woods, promptly disappearing through the trees. She stared at the last spot she’d seen him, silent for the next few seconds, feeling her rage slowly dissipate.

It was over. It was all over. She was safe. What was more, she was innocent.

“That was a risky thing you did back there,” said a voice behind her.

She turned to find Henry standing a couple of feet away, a disapproving scowl on his face.

“You were going to let him kill you?” he said, and she caught a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“I couldn’t let him killyou,” she shot back. “You’ve risked your life for me more times than I can count now. I wasn’t about to let you die. Especially after I—”

She was cut off with a kiss. Nora stiffened against him at first, surprised. Then, with a sigh, she kissed him back, throwing her arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around her waist, and for a moment she felt her feet leave the ground.

When he pulled back, it took her a couple of seconds to regain her senses. She let her gaze drift from his face to his body and gasped in dismay.

“You’re bleeding,” she said, examining his cuts. “Here, let me...”

She placed a hand over them, one after the other, and muttered a spell. Instantly, the wounds closed up, the bleeding ceasing.

“You just used your magic,” he said. “Won’t Ergog...?”

“Oh, I doubt I’ll be seeing him ever again. Especially now that I’m certain I’m innocent. If anyone should be worried, it’s Isobel. She’s going to get what’s coming to her, and pretty soon.”

He reached for her, his hands caressing her arms. His face was weary from the fight, and he looked like he was still on high alert,but his touch was tender. She sank against him, relishing the warm comfort of his chest. Thank goodness she’d stopped Ergog from killing him when she had. If she hadn’t...

She brushed the thought aside. No point thinking about it now. They were both safe, and that was all that mattered.

Still, she couldn’t have done all this without him. If it hadn’t been for Henry, she would be a goner by now.

As if reading her mind, he suddenly said, “It’s over. I guess our agreement’s over. You’re no longer in danger, so there’s no longer a reason for you to stick around.”

He tried to hide it, but she caught the disappointed look in his eyes. Smiling, she reached up and cupped his cheek.

“I want to stick around,” she said. “I’d like to stay here in Sylva. With you.” She swallowed, then added, “Unless you don’t want—”

“Of course I want you here.” He grinned back at her, pulling her even closer. “I know we’ve only just met, but I’ve got a really good feeling about you.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Even though I’m a hybrid?”

“I don’t care about that.” His dark eyes bored into her. “I just want you.”