Chapter 12
Petra stood and moved to the window, looking out at the darkened gardens. “This is really happening, isn’t it? In a few days, those so-called artisans will come back, and I’ll have to face them.”
“Yes.” Seth moved to stand beside her, close enough to feel her warmth but not quite touching. “But you won’t be alone. You have my team, Katja, and the people Sam and Mark have sent. You have resources and allies now.”
“And I have you,” Petra said softly, still looking out the window.
Something in Seth’s chest tightened. “Yes. You have me.”
She turned to face him, and the look in her eyes made his breath catch. Vulnerability and determination mixed with something that looked like longing.
“And I’m probably being foolish, but I can’t seem to help it.” Petra’s cheeks flushed, but she held his gaze. “I like you, Seth. More than I should, considering the circumstances. More than makes any sense given that we barely know each other.”
“Petra—”
“I know I’m not…well…like any woman you’re probably used to,” she continued, the words tumbling out like she needed to say them before she lost courage.
“I’m just a librarian who wears beige cardigans and has avoided confrontation my whole life.
You’re this incredibly capable, confident person who probably works with amazing people all the time.
But I wanted you to know anyway, even if nothing comes of it, because I’m tired of being too scared to say what I’m thinking, and if things don’t go well in the next few days… ”
Seth stared at her, his heart pounding. She thought she wasn’t good enough for him?
That’s what he thought she was saying and he could hardly believe it.
This woman who’d chosen to fight the Venifucus instead of running, who’d faced down her fears and stood her ground despite being terrified, who had more courage in her little finger than most people he’d known? She was crazy.
“You think way too little of yourself, Petra. You’re amazing,” he said slowly.
She looked away. “I know I’m not. You don’t have to say such things to me.”
“Petra, look at me.” He waited until her eyes met his again.
“I’ve been fighting my attraction to you since the moment I saw you get out of your car when you got here.
Every time you do something brave, every time you trust me when you have no reason to, every time you smile despite being scared out of your mind, makes it harder for me to keep my distance. ”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really.” Seth lifted one hand, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered against her cheek. “The only reason I’ve been keeping things professional is because you’re in a dangerous situation and I didn’t want to take advantage. Not because I’m not interested.”
“Oh,” Petra breathed.
They stood frozen for a moment, the air between them charged with possibility. Then Seth made a decision that was probably reckless but felt absolutely right.
He leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted. She didn’t. Instead, she tilted her face up toward his, her eyes fluttering closed.
Their lips met softly, tentatively. A question more than a statement. Petra made a small sound and leaned into him, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. Seth wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and deepened the kiss.
And everything clicked into place.
His inner jackal went absolutely still, then began to take notice of the woman in his arms in a way it never had before with any other woman Seth had kissed.
The restless energy that had been driving Seth crazy for days suddenly made perfect sense.
This wasn’t just attraction. This wasn’t just his protective instincts coming out in force.
This was something more. Something that might possibly be very, very special.
Seth pulled back slightly, enough to look at Petra’s face. Her eyes were still closed, her lips slightly parted, her cheeks flushed. She looked beautiful and vulnerable and perfect.
“Petra,” he said softly.
She opened her eyes, and the trust he saw there nearly undid him.
“Are you feeling this?” Seth asked.
“Feeling?” she replied, looking a bit befuddled, still drugged by the potency of their kiss. He wanted to grin at her adorable reaction.
“I don’t suppose you know much about shifters, do you?” he asked, knowing she didn’t. She hadn’t known people like him existed just a few days ago. He had to tread lightly.
She seemed to come out of the daze the kiss had put her in a little more. “I am woefully ignorant of all things magical, as you know,” she replied finally.
He wasn’t sure how much to tell her just now. If she were also a shifter, she would understand that things between them could get very serious, very quickly, but he wasn’t so sure how that would go over with a human woman of limited experience with magic and the supernatural races.
“I just want you to know that kissing you means something to me,” he finally said, settling on being both vague and reassuring.
Her smile came back as she gazed shyly up at him. “I’m glad. It means something to me too. I don’t go around kissing every handsome man that crosses my path, you know.”
He liked that she could joke around with him even through her embarrassment. The light shade of pink in her pale cheeks appealed to him immensely, though he’d never really been drawn to shy women before. Few shifter women were shy.
“So you think I’m handsome, do you?” He liked teasing her too, which wasn’t something he usually did.
“You must have looked in a mirror once or twice,” she teased back, barely looking him in the eye.
“Maybe once,” he admitted, chuckling and moving closer. “But I suppose you’ve done the same and saw the beautiful woman you are.”
She scoffed lightly but didn’t say anything. How could she not know how gorgeous she was? He’d have to remedy that misconception as soon as possible.
He reached up to tuck a strand of her hair behind one ear. “I’d like to kiss you again, if you’re okay with that.”
“Um…yeah,” she whispered. “I’m okay with that.”
This kiss was different from the first. Less tentative, more certain. Petra’s arms came up around his neck and Seth held her close, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him. His jackal was humming with interest, and for once, Seth didn’t bother trying to quiet the animal.
This felt so right. Having her in his arms felt like something truly special.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Petra rested her forehead against his chest. “This probably isn’t the best timing, but I’m glad anyway.”
“Historically, I’ve found that important things rarely happen at convenient moments.” Seth stroked her hair, enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her. “But we don’t have to figure everything out right now. We can go slow and see where we end up.”
“I like that,” she said softly, seemingly content to just stand there, held loosely in his embrace.
They stood together in the quiet library, holding each other while the night deepened outside.
Tomorrow would bring the complications of firing staff, getting replacements, and preparing for the confrontation with the mages.
But tonight, for just a little while, they could have this moment of peace.
Seth kissed the top of Petra’s head and felt her relax in his arms. He could stay like this for hours, just holding her, but he knew they both needed rest. Tomorrow would be demanding, and Petra especially would need her strength for what was coming.
“You should get some sleep,” he said reluctantly. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
Petra pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “Will you be here? In the morning, I mean?”
“I’ll be on the grounds. Probably meeting with my team to coordinate the staff transition.” Seth traced his thumb along her jawline, enjoying the way she leaned into his touch. “But I’ll come find you after breakfast. We can go over the final details together.”
“I’d like that.” She hesitated, then asked, “Where do you sleep? I know you’ve been watching the castle at night, but surely you need rest too.”
“I have a cabin about fifteen minutes from here. It’s a small rental, but it has everything I need.” He smiled slightly. “Though I’ll admit, spending nights in jackal form keeping watch isn’t exactly restful.”
“You’ve been doing that every night since I arrived?” Petra’s expression shifted to concern. “Seth, that’s not sustainable. You’ll exhaust yourself.”
“I’m fine. Shifters can go longer without sleep than humans.” He appreciated her worry, though. It was very like her, he was learning, to be concerned about his wellbeing when she was the one in danger. “Besides, now I have a team. Pax and Ari can take watch while I actually get some sleep.”
“Good.” She bit her lip, looking uncertain about something. “I know this is probably forward of me, but…do you want to have breakfast with Katja and me tomorrow? Before you meet with your team?”
Seth’s jackal perked up with interest at the idea of starting the day with her. “I’d like that. What time?”
“Eight o’clock? We’ve been eating in the smaller dining room. It’s less formal than the main one.” Petra’s cheeks flushed slightly. “And maybe less monitored, though I suppose that doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Eight o’clock works perfectly.” Seth reluctantly released her, though he kept one hand on her arm. “I should let you get to bed. But Petra?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for trusting me. And for not running when I told you what I was, and for…” He gestured vaguely between them. “For this. Whatever this is.”
Her smile was soft and genuine. “Thank you for being here. For helping me fight instead of just running away. I couldn’t do any of this alone.”