Page 112 of Protect Me

“I can’t believe it’s over.” Sway snuggles in closer to Duncan, and he presses a kiss to the top of her head. “That he’s really gone.”

“He is,” I tell her.

“And no one will ever fucking hurt you again.”

Bracken’s gaze meets mine.“Do we tell her now?”he asks.“That we’re following her to the ends of the earth?”

“Not yet,”Duncan says.“She’s been through enough. Let’s let her heal first.”

My phone dings, so I pull it out and stare down at D’s message, my nerves melting away as I read the four simple words.

D: We’re in the clear.

Chapter29

Sway

Ispend two days in bed to “rest and recover” as they all put it. Adaya comes every day to check on me and Duncan. The dark magic coating Duncan’s injury is slow to dissipate, so his recovery is slower than mine. Adaya orders him on bedrest and makes him swear not to exert himself—which he complains about constantly.

I, on the other hand, am at least allowed to walk, eat, and bathe on my own. The cuts Robert made on my chest heal quickly, thanks to Adaya’s tea and, within two days, become nothing more than fading scars. My energy returns. And with it, my heaviness at knowing my time here is past done. The magic inside me is stronger than ever, and it takes all my willpower to keep it from exploring the desires and intentions of those around me. The cage I kept it in before is smashed to pieces now, and I have no idea how to trap it inside me any longer.

On the third day, Killian returns from a security meeting to tell me D wants to see me.

“Am I in trouble?” I ask, heart thudding at the mention of the Ringmaster.

“Of course not.” Killian chuckles then presses a kiss to my forehead. I’m in Bracken's room today, a change of scenery after being pressed into Duncan’s side for the last two days. The four of us have taken to sleeping together in the same bed, but last night, I needed some space. Maybe to prepare myself for what I have to do next.

“Is everything okay? Is Liv--”

“Liv is fine,” Killian assures me. “Her first performance back is this weekend as a matter of fact.”

“Oh.” The news hits me like a punch in the gut.

“Relax, love. Everything’s fine.”

There’s a knock at the apartment door, and the sound of it makes me jolt.

“Be right back.” Killian leaves to answer the door.

I have a stark mental image of the Ringmaster coming to the apartment, standing over my bedside, and ordering me to pack my things.

A moment later, I hear Adaya’s voice from the living room, and a sigh of relief escapes me. I listen as she goes first to check on Duncan. The murmur of their voices drifts through the wall, but I purposely don’t listen to their conversation. Even the sound of Duncan’s complaints tugs at my heartstrings.

“Hey,” Adaya says, smiling as she comes into Bracken’s room a few minutes later.

Killian isn’t with her, which surprises me, but I’m glad for the momentary quiet.

“Hey.”

She smiles softly and pulls the blankets down to check my injuries. “Your men are worried about you.”

My men.I start to respond, but my magic catches a longing within the water fae. A desire to love and be loved in return, though it mixes with something darker. Fear. My heart aches for her, but I rip the power back and shove it deep inside of me. That’s one of the worst things about being what I am—the constant feeling that I am invading someone’s privacy.

“Are you okay?”

I look up at her. “Fine. Sorry.”

She smiles. “You deserve every moment of the peace headed your way now that your asshole ex is in the ground.”