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With a shrug, I sit down next to him. “Did you notice? I didn’t need it.”
Raúl plops his head into my lap and I laugh, quickly sobering when I see the damage Airalin did to his shoulder. The wound is deep, but the surrounding flesh is charred. It is such a mess I cannot even make out any features. Briefly, I wonder if the burned part prevents him from healing, but I do not ask.
“I did notice,” he says, staring into my eyes. “You were wonderful. You stood up for yourself. I am proud of you.”
“Thank you.” I run my hand through his hair. “Are you going to be all right?”
Before he answers, three vampires appear in front of us.
“Take us home,” Raúl says, his voice firm. One vampire picks me up, while the other two surround Raúl. In seconds, we’re off, heading toward the castle.
It is almost dawn when I can see Raúl again. When I gave him my life essence, it made me so hungry I ate an entire cake out of Chef’s kitchen. He only eyed me in concern, though, instead of commenting, offering a welcome hug before I left.
I carry the last of the chocolate truffles to Raúl’s room, knocking on the door. Henry opens it and beckons me inside. Raúl’s sitting on his sofa, reading through a stack of papers, a pitcher of blood in front of him. When he sees me, he drops them onto the table and smiles his mischievous grin at me. Warmth spreads through my heart and I know in that moment I want to see that smile forever.
Holding onto my feelings, I sit on the sofa on the right of Raúl and hand him the truffles. He takes them and looks at me with delight. “More?”
“Yes, well. You’re injured because of me.”
Raúl has already popped one into his mouth. While he chews, I eye his chest, wondering how his wound looks now. He has on a clean shirt, so I cannot tell. “It’s not your fault, Penny. It’s that damn witch’s fault.” His nails grow long and black, sharp weapons in their own right. “One day, she will get what she deserves.”
I move closer to him and put my head on his good shoulder, comforting us both. Airalin had just ripped apart his body, and I couldn’t blame him for wanting justice. He puts an arm around me and pulls me closer. “Is your wound better?”
“Yes, it’s healing. Much faster than it should, actually. Probably due to your magic.” He lifts my chin up to stare into my eyes. “Penny, whatever you do, don’t share your life essence, though. It will destroy you. I cannot have that happen.”
“I won’t. Do you think Airalin will stay away now?”
“I believe you scared her. I doubt she will want to face you again.”
“Good.”
Raúl leans forward and kisses me sweetly, only interrupted by my unwelcome yawn. We both laugh. I get to my feet and yawn again. “Clearly, I need sleep.”
Raúl reaches for my hand and stares into my eyes. “You can sleep in my bed.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
“In your bed?” I ask, hesitatingly.
“I’d rather you stay near me, for now. Where I can make sure you’re safe. Do not worry, no one will disturb you.”
I could think of no reason why not, and a million reasons why I should. “Okay. Wake me if there’s an emergency.”
Raúl follows me into his bedroom, escorting me to his bed. I climb in between his soft sheets, and he leans forward, kissing me on the forehead. “If you need me, call my name and I will be here.”
I smile, desperately trying to keep my eyes open. I fail, and before I know it, I am asleep.
Hours later, I wake and stare at the ceiling. Quietly, I slide out of bed and head to the window. The sun is high in the sky. I let the curtain fall back into place and pace back and forth for a second before getting back under the covers.
“Nava,” I whisper. “Is your cousin okay?”
Yes, she says. He was stuck to a sticky plant in the witch’s things, unable to move or communicate.
“Is there any sign of Carmen?”
We are following a trail moving south, toward the desert.
I take in the information, filing it away to tell Raúl later. Gathering my courage, I say, “Nava, would you mind giving me some privacy?”
