Chapter 14 Ezra
“Gods, Ezra!” Liv was on me in an instant, poking and prodding as she inspected every inch of me.
I did not stop her. She was worried. Besides...
having her this close felt like a balm to my soul.
I would have gladly endured a hundred more inspections if it meant she stayed within arm's reach a little longer.
After a few moments, I caught her wrists gently and drew her closer.
I cupped her cheeks and rested my forehead against hers.
“I am alright, Stellina.” She froze, drawing in a slow breath without ever breaking our gaze.
Then the tension left her shoulders, and she melted into me.
Even my shadows reached for her; they wound gently around her wrists and ankles, as though they had missed her as much as I had.
Our powers tangled and twisted against each other, the warmth spreading through my body.
I closed the little remaining distance between us and kissed her slowly, deeply, savoring every second until I could no longer tell where she ended, and I began.
Without breaking our kiss, her hands moved over me, searching for burns, cuts, and bruises, unwilling to trust my word alone.
Helena cleared her throat exasperatedly at the same time that Liv’s hand pressed against the mark on my chest.
I winced, and the spell was broken. Liv jerked her hand away, a blush blooming across her face.
We had been so consumed by one another that I'd forgotten we weren't alone.
Around us stood ten frightened girls who had just escaped Verith.
She tried to peel back my singed shirt to see what had caused the pain, but her efforts were interrupted when crying sounded from behind us.
“I…I’m so…sorry.” Eliza choked the words out between sobs. “I…d…didn’t…mean to.” Tears poured down her cheeks as she tried to sniff back her cries. I shuffled over to her, not fully standing from my knees, and took her hands in mine.
“Eliza...” I kept my voice soft, careful not to frighten her again. “Talk to me.” I was surprised she was speaking at all after everything she'd endured, and I had no desire to shatter whatever fragile courage had allowed her to.
“I…I did not mean to hurt you. I truly am sorry.” Tears still trailed down her cheeks, and she would not meet my gaze.
“Hurt me?” I gave her little hands a reassuring squeeze, unable to hide the faint smile tugging at my lips. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“With my power. I cannot stop it.” I had to clear my throat before I trusted myself to speak.
The anger rising in my chest had nothing to do with her.
I swallowed hard, forcing it down as it threatened to escape.
She was so small, so innocent. How could anyone condemn a child for something she had never been taught to control?
“Eliza, I am not hurt, and even if I were, it would not be your fault. You have nothing to apologize for.”
I turned her tiny arm over and traced a finger along the bandage that hid her witch’s mark.
Then I rested my hand over my own chest.
“We both carry scars, which means we are both strong. All will be well now. Understand?”
I waited for her to answer but got only a small nod. That would do.
When I looked up, Liv stood with her arms crossed, lips pursed.
Shit. Her eyes shifted from my chest to the bandages on the girl’s arms, then back.
I looked to Helena for help. But her smirk told me that she would thoroughly enjoy the reprimand I was about to receive.
I offered no explanation. I didn't need to.
Liv understood exactly why I had done it. That did not mean she approved.
“We will talk about this at home.” I had survived Stanhope.
I was not convinced I would survive my little star’s worry.
Her voice was stern, but the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth ruined the effort entirely.
She was enjoying this almost as much as Helena. Liv led us to the house in silence.
As soon as we entered the house, a little girl with bright blond hair and wide blue eyes sprang from the step where she had been sitting.
She hurried from one girl to the next, introducing herself, asking for names, and chattering with enough enthusiasm to engage everyone in the room.
The girls shrank from the attention, still too frightened to answer.
Christine's smile slowly dimmed with each unanswered question.
She wasn't offended. Only disappointed that none of them were ready to be her friend.
She wanted them to feel welcome, and they weren't yet ready to believe they were safe.
“You must be Christine.” I smiled down at her. I'd heard enough stories through Liv's letters to recognize her immediately. Her grin spread leagues wide.
“How did you know my name?” she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
“Ah,” I smiled. “Forgive me. I never introduced myself. How improper of me.” I knelt before her and offered my hand.
She looked from my hand to my face before letting out a thoughtful hum.
“You are big and scary. You must be Ezra.”
I placed a hand dramatically over my heart. “Scary?”
She giggled.
“Grandma Margaret told me to make everyone feel welcome...” Her smile faltered as she glanced toward the rescued girls. “...but I don't think I'm very good at it.”
I looked toward the girls huddled together in the entryway. “I think you're doing much better than you realize.”
She frowned. “Really?”
“They're frightened.” I leaned in close and kept my voice quiet.
“Not of you. Of everything. Give them a little time, and I imagine they'll be asking if they can sit on those steps with you tomorrow.”
I looked around the crowded foyer and spotted Eliza, standing against a wall as though she wished to disappear into it.
“Do you see that girl over there?” I pointed Christine in her direction, and she nodded fervently.
“She is a very special friend of mine, and I would wager that she is around your age.”
Christine held up six tiny fingers, and I nodded.
“I believe she could use an extra warm welcome. Do you think you may be the lady for the task?”
She jumped up and down, clapping her hands before pushing through the other girls and heading straight for Eliza.
I watched as she introduced herself, and Eliza's eyes brightened the slightest bit. It was enough.
“Liv has told me many unbelievable things about you, but I confess, you being good with children was truly something I did not expect.” Margaret stood in the doorway that led to the kitchen, a warm smile and flour dusted across her face.
“Margaret... it is good to see you again. Though I am grateful our acquaintance is continuing under much better circumstances.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “The last time we met, I do not believe we said more than three words to each other.”
“No.” She smiled sadly. “I don't imagine either of us had much appetite for conversation that day. Some meetings deserve a second chance.”
I felt Liv behind me before she even spoke. “Hell, you will handle room assignment for the girls, help them get settled after Mother and Christine check them over, and get them some new clothing that is not so dirty.”
Helena blinked once. “Who volunteered me?” Before she could continue her protest, Margaret cut in.
“You can either handle room assignment, or you can aid Christine in determining which dress would fit each girl best.” Helena grimaced as though Margaret had just offered her the crueler of two punishments.
“Fine.” She turned, utterly defeated, and began selecting girls to room together. I could tell by the look on Liv’s face that she had entirely different plans for the two of us. My nerves tightened.
“Liv can help with the room selections!” I shouted to Helena, who was halfway up the stairs. Liv folded her arms over her chest and arched her brow.
“Oh, no. You and I must have a conversation.” Her tone left no room for argument, but I attempted anyway.
“Surely Margaret could use another pair of hands. We can speak about this later.” I tried desperately to escape the reprimand that she had promised.
Margaret snickered from the doorway. She smiled knowingly. “Between Helena, Christine, and me, we'll manage just fine, dear.”
Gods. My chances of escaping this conversation dwindled by the second. It was clear I would get no help from anyone here.