Chapter 14
AVA
Pom Pom barks from his doggy bed in the living room, rousing me from my sleep. Rubbing my eyes with a tired sigh, I look around, confused. Nothing seems out of the ordinary that I can see. Then I hear it … Valen yelling.
I attempt to jump out of bed but end up twisted in my comforter and almost fall flat on my face. Scrambling to grab the bed for support, I right myself and run to the living room.
Valen has his arms wrapped around his torso, hugging himself, and he whimpers like he’s in pain. His eyes are closed, fighting against invisible demons in his sleep. His mumbling is too quiet to make out, but the wounded noises break my heart.
Pom Pom runs over to me and paws at my leg with a whine. Seeing his owner in pain must bother him too.
“Valen,” I carefully call, floundering on how to wake him up without scaring him. “I’m here. You’re okay. They don’t have you.”
He thrashes, and I panic as he appears to become more distressed.
Reaching out, I grab his arm and shake him slightly.
Jolting, it does the trick, and his wild eyes meet mine.
I can tell it takes him a second to realize where he is but sigh in relief when he relaxes and lays his head back against the couch.
“I hate this for you,” I whisper and stroke his cheek.
Valen hesitates with his arms out like he wants to hold me for comfort.
Our relationship is in an odd spot, but I want nothing more than comfort right now.
I grab his arm and pull him over to the bedroom and onto my bed.
He takes the hint and settles down next to me on the mattress.
His heavy frame settles on top of the covers, but he keeps me underneath and tucked in.
“I’m here if you want to talk about it, but don’t feel obligated.” When he doesn’t protest, I lean against his side.
Valen strokes his long fingers through my hair, and I try to settle on his chest. We lie in silence for a few minutes, and I respect his space.
Little scurries and huffs sound as Pom Pom attempts to jump up onto the bed with us from the floor.
It’s too high, and his little nails periodically tap on the floor as he kicks off but fails.
A smile makes its way onto my face, and I lean over to pet his head.
The pup gives me his goofy smile where his tongue lolls out the side.
When it’s clear neither of us is going back to sleep, Valen eases off the bed. “Come on.” He offers a hand, and I take it without question. We make sure Pom Pom is situated with his favorite toy before we leave.
Valen takes me up to his spot on the rooftop to sit beneath the stars. I see a noticeable tension leave his shoulders now that we’re out in the open.
“How did it go with Jade? I hope the chaos did not throw you off too much,” he asks.
I shrug and twirl a piece of hair hanging over my shoulder. “She didn’t stay too much longer. We tried to access my power, but my frustration didn’t help, so she said to sleep on it. It’ll take more sessions to get to the root of everything and who I am. Thank you for finding her.”
I see Valen nod out of the corner of my eye. “I am happy she’s helpful.”
“Why aren’t you angrier?” I ask suddenly. The thought has been weighing on me for a while now.
“What do you mean?” Valen looks at me curiously. A strand of dark hair curls over his forehead, and I resist the urge to smooth it back.
“You were held against your will for years upon years by beings that tortured you.” I lean back on my arms and dangle my feet over the edge.
“Every movie I’ve seen where it’s a similar case, the character is hell bent on getting revenge and fueled by anger.
I wouldn’t blame you if you were, but you’re not that way at all. You’re just … you.”
“I am me. Thank you for the observation, Ava,” Valen replies dryly.
I lean up quickly and bring myself close to his face, which makes him startle a little. “Sorry, I’m just shocked. Did you crack a joke?”
Valen smiles in response and leans toward me.
We stare at each other for a minute, and I fight my body’s instinct to lean in and kiss him.
This gorgeous man might tempt me beyond belief, but it’s still such a new relationship—if you can even call it that—and when we do kiss, I want him to initiate it.
After everything he went through and how touch-resistant he is, that’s his move to make.
My breath catches when he leans forward and his soft lips connect with my forehead.
His light kiss feels like a spark against my skin, and a sigh leaves me.
It’s heaven and hell wrapped in one being this close to him yet holding myself back.
I don’t know how, but even though I’ve been set on taking it slow after everything with Spencer, there’s part of me that wants to dive headfirst into this pull.
Valen breaks the spell—witch pun very much intended—and lies back on the blanket-covered ground beneath us.
I suck in the drool that threatens to come out at the sliver of sculpted skin that’s revealed when he puts an arm under his head.
I glance at his face and smile to myself when I see his smirk.
He knows I’m checking him out. Good.
“I am tired, Ava,” Valen replies in a voice layered with age.
“I can’t find it in me to be angry. Of course it is upsetting to realize how long I’ve been in captivity and not understand why, but I cannot waste time being angry.
I am out and safe. I am slowly learning about this new world I am in, and I have friends and a mate by my side.
” His brown eyes glitter under the starry sky.
“Being there ultimately led me to you. For that, at least, I am grateful.”
I duck my head at those words. Valen enduring what he has and being grateful in some way that it brought him to me is astounding and a testament to his character.
Settling next to him, I gently thread our fingers together and kiss his knuckles. His skin roughened from all he’s been through. I marvel at Valen and his wise words. I’ll continue to support him the best I can and show him he’ll never be in that dark place again.