I have trouble actually giving myself up to that deserved rest though. I really hope Kelsi can find a solution or a clue to help us... I'm glad we made some breakthroughs together, but I have this lingering feeling of fear and angst that won't go away... Is it the curse playing with me, like Ravena said? She did mention it would try to make me mad. I won't go mad. I don't want to be the crazy witch again...
"Mara, sleep."
Liam's slow and deep voice takes me by surprise. How did he know? His eyes are still closed... He sighs slowly, and snuggles up closer to me. He wraps me in his arms, and after another kiss on my forehead, he leaves his face against my hair. I can tell he's taking slow and deep breaths, as if he's content with my smell too.
"No witch stuff, okay?" he whispers. "Just try to sleep."
"Mhm," I nod.
He's right... I won't be able to do anything if I'm exhausted. I've been at this for hours, and it hasn't been that long since I left the hospital, either. I try to calm down, and instead of all those thoughts coming to my mind, I focus on my wolf and his. Is it because this is the less witch part of me? I suddenly feel a lot better, and lean into that, letting the sleepiness take over for real this time...
I fell into a deep slumber. I must have been really tired, because I really fell heavy into that nap. It takes me a while to really wake up, and remember where I am. Oh... Nora's guestroom. I smile automatically upon recognizing Liam's smell next to mine. Unlike the cute position we fell asleep in, he's now rolled onto his belly, his face half-engulfed in the pillow. I smile and watch him sleep for a little while. Moon Goddess, he's so... adorable. He seems younger when he's like this. I realized before how much he's like his older brothers when he frowns, but now, he's just Liam... I really, really want to brush his short hair, but it might wake him up. He only has an arm around my waist now.
How tired was he that he didn’t even feel me waking up? I can tell even his wolf is in a very deep slumber. Well, the big wolf had two rough nights because of me, and after eating, he probably deserved that nap... I chuckle. Moon Goddess, thank you for putting him by my side... I really love Liam.
He's kind, gentle, funny, and caring. He's a powerful, imposing werewolf when he needs to be, but he is also incredibly human at times. He reminds me that I am human too. Not just a crazy Fire Witch. He helps me to keep both feet on the ground, and think about... who I am. Who I want to be, the Mara he's known since the beginning. Liam never met Clarissa or little Mara. He didn't have any expectations of me. If anything, he was the only one who didn't judge me because I was a witch, but because I was this mate that suddenly attracted him when he hadn't asked for it. It probably was hard for him, but he didn't reject me... He protected me, and trusted me when I needed him to.
What would I have done, or become, if it wasn't for Liam? Even more reckless, probably. I smile like an idiot, but I'm just... happy. I don't really care what will befall us later. I don't want to think about witches, curses, and fights right now. I need to enjoy the quiet while I can... while we can still have this little bit of happiness. This room is like a little bubble. Once we step out, I'll have to become Silver City's witch again, and Liam will be a Black brother. Now, it's just Liam and Mara. A pair of fated mates like any other... or maybe not.
“Mara?”
I raise my head slowly.
“Nora?”
“I hope I'm not disturbing you... I felt that you were awake, and Liam's still sleeping. I wanted to offer you something... My help, actually.”
“With...?”
“The curse that's still inside you. I felt it earlier, when I was healing you. How about... we try to do something about it, but together this time?”
I smile. Now, that sounds like something we can try.
I move very slowly to get out of Liam's embrace, and off of the bed. My man must have been really tired because he doesn't react, and instead, his snoring intensifies. I smile and pinch my lips together so as not to laugh. Moon Goddess, he's way too cute for me to handle. Once I'm up, I stretch slowly. How long did I sleep for? I feel a lot better and rested already...
Grabbing my pants, I sneak out of the bedroom, ready to join Nora. I quickly put my pants back on, hoping no one is going to show up at the end of the hallway. It's actually quite quiet... Where is everyone? I thought it was because we were upstairs, but as I go downstairs, I realize the house is really quiet. I walk past the living room, and Kelsi doesn't even notice me passing by. She is frowning while staring at a book, her glasses sliding down her nose. Curled up on her legs, Ben's big brown wolf is sleeping, and she has an arm around his neck, as he covers most of her legs. They really are a good pair... Across from her, Ayesha is sitting on the floor, legs crossed and also studying a piece of paper. She's the only one to notice my presence and glances up, giving me a little nod. Looks like that's another Fire Witch tamed...
I leave those three to their study, or nap, and keep walking, heading for the kitchen. As suspected, Nora is there, just putting something in the oven.
"Did you sleep well?" she asks with a soft voice.
"Like a baby," I nod.
"Oh, I wish my baby slept that quietly."
"Where are they... I mean, where's everyone?"
Nora chuckles and takes off her apron, undoing her ponytail too.
"Well, Damian is watching the children in the garden, and Selena and Nate went to... reconcile."
I lift an eyebrow.
"I hope I didn't get anyone in trouble..."
"Oh, no," she chuckles. "Don't worry about that. Those two love to fight, I think. It's their way of expressing their feelings better... They both went through a lot, so it's always better when they talk it out. Trust me, they must already be happily reconciled by now."
Oh. Well, I guess, if it works for them...
