Chapter 12
A Whisper of Hope
The sun rises, bringing with it the chance the new day may have better answers than yesterday. I stare out the window with Hale’s arm draped around me as I look over his shoulder. He loves his back to the window.
I smile when I feel his soft lips pressing against my shoulder, and he groans as he stretches before rolling over on his back and bringing me with him.
“I’m so happy I’m waking up with you, baby,” he says with a bit of shakiness to his tone.
“Oh believe me, I’m ecstatic,” I murmur softly, images of the hanging sleep I was forced to suffer flash through my head, and I see him wince as failure glazes over his eyes.
“Stop blaming yourself, Hale. Please. It’s exhausting to try and convince you this wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m sorry, but how would you feel if it had been the other way around?”
I sigh out, and then a light knocking rings out at the door. Hale kisses my head while climbing from the bed and pulling on his clothes. He tosses me one of his shirts to put on, and I smell the clean shirt that hasn’t even been on his body yet. I pout when I realize it doesn’t have his scent, and he leans over to kiss my puckered lips.
“I’ll give you the one I’m wearing later,” he smolders.
“Deal,” I giggle out, and he smiles a broad grin before blurring to the door.
He sighs out when he sees a face I can’t, and then he steps to the side to allow Brazen to walk in. His eyes look better rested, though still etched with some concern as he stares into the bedroom at me.
“I was wondering if I could speak with Araya for a minute?” he asks Hale while refusing to break his eyes from mine.
Hale’s lips tighten, and I look to him to silently request permission. I know this can’t be easy for Brazen. He didn’t get to hold me all night the way Hale did. He didn’t get to feel me safely tucked in his arms and relish a night of wonderful love making.
“Yeah. I was going to go grab us some breakfast anyways,” he huffs out, and then he walks to the bedroom.
He very deliberately leans over to place a showy kiss on my lips as a way of reminding Brazen who I belong to.
“I love you,” he says without any concern for the aching heart in the other room.
“I love you,” I utter sweetly while returning the affectionate embrace.
He reluctantly withdraws, and then he starts walking back toward the door, his eyes cautioning the pale ones on his way out.
Brazen smirks lightly, and then he walks into the bedroom. I stand to meet him, and then I move away from the bed to the window seat overlooking the castle-like compound.
“I just had to come see you. These past few days… I’ve been a wreck. I just wanted to touch you to be honest, and I knew Hale wouldn’t allow that,” he murmurs with a touch of shame in his voice.
“Brazen, you and I are close, and we always will be. You don’t need permission from Hale to touch me. You have my permission, as long as it’s within reason,” I say with a playful touch at the end to lighten the heaviness of the conversation.
He smirks lightly, and then he pulls me to be in his arms as his lips stroke the top of my head and kiss me through my hair. I smile against his neck as I nestle into him, giving him the touch he needs to feel me safe again.
“I wish you were mine,” he mumbles through a painful strain.
“I’m not though. Brazen, I want you to move on. Please don’t wait on me,” I murmur softly.
“I’m waiting, baby. You can count on that. You’ll be mine again,” he sighs, and then suddenly his lips are against mine before I can stop him.
It’s a soft, noninvasive kiss, and I feel his anxiety being freed as he tastes my safety in his mouth. He withdraws very shakily, and then he kisses my forehead before standing.
“Thank you,” he utters sincerely, and I roll my eyes while touching my lips with my fingertips. “Too much?” he jokingly adds.
“A little bit of a line was crossed, but nothing too severe, given the circumstances,” I sigh out.
“I’ll always love you, baby, and I’ll be here anytime you need me. All you have to do is call me.”
