Chapter 5 #3
I should’ve been embarrassed. But the way he moved—like it was nothing, like feeding me was just another part of his day—made me feel more at ease. He hadn’t hesitated to finish my soup, like we were old friends and knew each other well enough to know what to expect.
I didn’t have any old friends. I didn’t have any new friends. But today I’d been surrounded by angels.
The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable. Not exactly. It was just…deep. Like the snow outside, piling up against the windows, muffling the world.
Dakvaar came back with a glass of water and two pills. “For the pain.”
How had he known? I took them gratefully.
He watched like a mother hen, as if concerned I would try to tough out the aches and shooting pains, then nodded in satisfaction when I swallowed. “You should rest.”
I nodded, pushing myself to my feet. The room tilted, and I swayed.
Dakvaar was there in an instant, his hand steadying my elbow. “Easy.”
I hated how weak I was. Hated that I’d put him in danger by needing his help.
But when he reached for my wrist, turning it over in his massive hands, I didn’t pull away.
His fingers were warm, careful, as he unwrapped the bandage to check the swelling. The bruising was worse now, a sickly purple-green, the skin tender to the touch. He exhaled through his nose, his claws flexing like he was fighting the urge to do something.
“Does it hurt?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.
“Yes.”
His jaw tightened. “I’ll rewrap it.”
I watched his face as he worked—the way his brows drew together in concentration, the way his tusks gleamed in the low light as he towered over me. He was so big. So solid. And yet his hands were gentle, his touch almost reverent.
I realized, with a jolt, that I wasn’t bracing myself.
Not for his anger. Not for his temper. Not for the sharp edge of his words.
I was just…letting him take care of me.
The thought was so foreign, so dangerous, that my breath hitched.
When was the last time a guy had touched me—had held me—without making me flinch?
He finished wrapping my wrist, his fingers lingering just a second too long. Then he stepped back, his expression unreadable.
“Your bags are in the guest room,” he said. “Lila packed some things for you.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He didn’t answer, but gestured for me to follow him as he gave me an abbreviated tour. He opened his mouth to say something, then seemed to reconsider and shut it again. With a firm nod, he turned and stalked down the hall, leaving me alone.
The guest room was warm, the bed soft beneath me. I changed into the pajamas Lila had packed—my favorite flannel set—and brushed my teeth, wincing as the toothbrush bumped my split lip.
Brushing my tusks, I thought, and almost smiled.
The painkillers were already pulling me under, the edges of my vision blurring. I climbed into bed, the sheets cool against my skin, and clutched a pillow to my chest.
Outside, the wind rattled the limbs of trees, but I felt snug here. The snow would be deep by morning.
I closed my eyes, my last thought a prayer:
Please don’t let me bring him danger.
I woke in the middle of the night—I hadn’t plugged in my phone, so I didn’t know what time it was, only that the moonlight glinted strangely on the snow outside the window, and I felt hot.
It took me a moment to remember where I was, and I thought maybe I was dreaming—everything seemed blurry and muted. Rosa! She was sleeping in the library, wasn’t she? I didn’t know where that was, but I needed to make sure she was safe.
Kicking the covers away, I swung my legs off the bed, then pushed myself upright and swayed a bit. My head was pounding, and everything was warm and clammy.
I stumbled across the room and wrenched open the door. She was nearby; I’d find her.
But I only made it into the hallway before I almost stepped on a pair of huge legs. I followed them up…up…at first I didn’t understand what I was seeing, but then it clicked into place.
Dakvaar was sitting on the floor in the hallway, outside my room.
His back was to the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his legs crossed at the ankles, stretched in front of him, and his chin sunk to his chest
Asleep. Guarding me?
I gripped the doorjamb, staring in confusion. Suddenly, he jerked his head up, shook it slightly as if waking, and I saw the green glow from his eyes. They didn’t used to glow, did they?
“Go back to sleep, dkaar.”
“What does that mean?” I blurted, although I wasn’t sure why. He’d used it before, but tonight such things seemed to matter.
I could see him hesitate before he shook his head once more. “It doesn’t matter. There are more pain pills by your bed, with ice water.”
“Rosa.” I reached toward him. “Please, is she—”
“She’s asleep.” He unfolded one arm far enough to tap his pointed ear with a long finger. “I’ll hear her if she wakes up, and I’ll bring her to you.” When I hesitated, he lowered his voice. “I promise, Sofia. She’s safe.”
“O—okay.” I swallowed, my throat dry and sore, and straightened. “Thank you.” For everything.
Dakvaar nodded once, settling back into place. “Drink the ice water, Sofia. Take the pills. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
And, not seeing a reason not to, I obeyed his orders.