Chapter 21
DIANA
The next few days blur together in a haze of knotting and healing.
We’re brought fresh fish, crusty bread, and vegetables that taste like they were pulled from the ground that morning. Some baked goods. There's clean water and firewood.
It’s just like the attic, but this time, I feel like I understand why I’m in here.
At least the Witch Doctor was useful for something, because my back feels like it’s been magically healed.
By the second day, the angry red lines are less swollen, the flesh still raised.
By the third, they're pinker and itch like a bitch.
Judge checks them every morning, his fingers gentle as they trace the healing skin, his purr rumbling low in his chest when he's satisfied with the progress.
Mornings are quiet, and I admit I love them.
I wake tangled in him—his arm heavy across my waist, his breath warm against my hair.
Sometimes I lie there for a while, just listening to him breathe, feeling the bond hum between us like a second heartbeat.
Realizing that he’s locked me in a room again to saturate it with our scents, I’m starting to believe that I think it comforts him.
So I don’t protest; I just watch the sun rise through the window.
It’s not like there’s much reason to protest, honestly.
I actually spend most of my time sleeping.
He leaves to do whatever alpha shit that he does, and Rust comes to sit outside with Gnash.
The bounty hunter seems to avoid me like he’s been given orders to, but again, I sleep so much that I don’t really care.
As long as I don’t have to look at that massive beast he has…
The following night, Judge is insatiable in a way I didn't anticipate, like he's afraid I'll disappear if he stops touching me. He learns my body with a patience that borders on obsessiveness, cataloging every gasp, every shiver, every sound I make. He finds the spots that make me melt and exploits them ruthlessly, and whenever I whimper from my back, he’s completely pulled back almost instantly.
And, of course, I find myself reaching for him in the dark, pulling him closer, wanting more.
The bond between us strengthens with every passing hour. I can feel it now—really feel it—like a golden thread connecting us at all times.
On the fourth day, Judge doesn’t come back by sundown as he promised.
I even open the front door, twisting the old thing, and Rust and Gnash look back at me. I squeak when I see the warrog, trying my best to stare at what looks like a wasteland cowboy. “Where is Judge?” I ask.
“You feel something dangerous in the tether?” Rust asks, with the same echo eyes, looking me over like he’s about to spring into action.
I touch my chest, some relief hitting me. “No, I don’t.”
“Then he’s fine,” he drawls out with a slight accent, leaning back on the wall as I continue to ignore the animal on the other side. “Probably tied up in some gang management bullshit.”
Okay, well, he’s not very cheery. I retreat back inside, happy to close the door.
My heart pounds with adrenaline, flashing back to the Mirage—well, so that was useless.
I start to pace, and this room that’s filled with our things suddenly means nothing to me at the thought that Judge has been harmed or hurt.
Great, if that idiot dies on me out here, I’ll actually be sadder than before I met him.
Then I can feel him approaching, and my bones melt with relief.
Judge opens the door with intensity in his eyes, scanning me over like he’s anticipating that he will find something wrong. His eyes soften, just slightly, as he shuts the door. “What’s wrong?”
The relief that floods through me is so intense it's almost embarrassing. "You said a few hours."
There’s a crook of a smile on his lips. “It took longer than expected." He's watching me with that unreadable expression, cataloging my reaction. "Were you worried, sweetheart?”
"No." It’s so firm that it’s clearly not true.
"Liar." He takes a step into the room, completely pleased with himself.
"Shut up."
His grin crinkles the corners of his eyes. "You missed me."
It’s one thing to feel affection for him in the privacy of my own mind, but another to bring the words to life. Especially as he crowds into my space, and the bond is singing now, utter warmth flooding through both of us. “Okay, fine, I was worried about you.”
While still wearing his jacket that has Dominions patch on it, Judge leans in, gently grabbing my chin with a single hand, and kisses me like he's savoring the fact that I was worried about him. It makes my body shudder, because it’s, well, an affectionate kiss.
His breath is warm against my skin, and he pulls back slightly to look me in the eyes.
“We’re leaving first things in the morning. ”
There’s something sad in his gaze. “Okay, sounds good… you don’t seem thrilled to be heading back.”
“I’ve enjoyed the small reprieve with you.”
“Won’t it be nothing but that back at the castle?” I ask, watching him take his jacket off.
He releases a small huff, looking me over before sitting in the chair to undo his boots. “We can sure as hell hope.”