Chapter Eighteen

Safina

Supper with the Cortezfamily was wonderful. Even though Se?or Cortez assured me they were not zealots, they did bow their heads to pray before beginning the meal. Gabriel held my hand during the prayer, which made my heart soar with joy.

I learned a great deal about Gabriel and his family. I was surprised to discover he was the second-born son, already nineteen summers old. Back in the old world, most men were married with bairns and farms of their own by that age. It was odd to think of Gabriel as a man, but as we shared secretive smiles throughout supper, the more I liked the idea of it. I knew once I healed him, he would be looking to start a family of his own.

My stomach twisted at the thought of him marrying another. It was then I realized why love had made Abby jump off the pier and why my mother mourned the loss of her mate. I couldn't imagine Gabriel with anyone else but me. I forced myself to push dark thoughts out of my mind as I reassured myself Gabriel hadn't pledged his love to another.

After I had my fill of buttery bean soup, warm tortillas, and sweet wine, I followed Gabriel to his room. I sat on the bed beside Gabriel, leaning against the wall and warily eyeing the door flap for my mother's intrusion. I was surprised Mother hadn't woken and found us yet.

I smoothed the wrinkles out of my dress, mildly disappointed it was more faded than my last one. If only I'd had time to remove my clothes before transforming into a dragon. After I'd stuck my hand into an empty pocket the realization hit me.

I shot up as if I'd been jolted. "Oh, no! Your handkerchief was in my dress."

"Safina, it's okay." Gabriel wrapped an arm around me.

Instinctively, I turned into him, sobbing against his chest. "No, it's not. It's all I had from you, and it's gone."

"I will give you another," he whispered against my ear, smoothing a hand down my back.

I had no idea why, but his touch made my body quake. The shiver radiated from my spine and traveled all the way down to my toes. It felt good, and yet something about the way I responded also felt wicked, for he caused another sensation to swell deep below my belly, and an uncomfortable and yet delightful ache between my thighs. I wanted nothing more than to melt against him as he continued to stroke me but sensed it would only fuel a forbidden desire.

Reluctantly, I pulled out of his embrace, though I still sat dangerously close to him. "I can't take all of your lovely handkerchiefs."

He cupped my chin, dipping his head until I was forced to meet his eyes. "Maybe you can give me something in return."

"I have nothing to give anyone." I sniffled as I waved at my faded dress. "I don't even own these clothes."

He bit his bottom lip before pulling a lock of my hair from its confinement and twirling it around his finger. "This is what I want."

My mouth fell open as I got lost in the twin pools of his warm, entrancing gaze. "My hair?"

His cheeks colored. "Just a small lock."

"Why would you want a piece of my hair?" I was confused. My hair was coarse and wild, not to mention unnaturally bright. It was not soft or the color of rich gold like Charlotte Carter's.

Gabriel's blush deepened. "Because it's the most beautiful hair I've ever seen. It reminds me of an ocean sunset."

"Oh." I was shocked and yet pleased by his answer. "You may have it then."

His eyes lit up. "Truly?"

Almighty Mother, the boy had me in such a trance, I could hardly think straight. All I knew was I wanted nothing more than for Gabriel Cortez to claim a piece of me. "Aye."

He dug into his pocket and pulled out a small blade. Unsheathing it from its leather pouch, he held it above my shoulder. "Hold still." He sawed off my hair with ease, smiling as he held it in his palm.

I watched with wonder as he closed his eyes, rubbing the lock across his stubbled cheek. That swelling between my legs turned into an aching throb, causing me to shift uncomfortably. What was Gabriel doing to me?

"What will you do with it?"

"Keep it close," he said with a wink, slipping it into his shirt pocket. "Here." He pulled another handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to me. "It was just laundered this morning."

I gratefully took his gift, inhaling the mixed scents of ink and earth. "Mm. It smells like you."

He arched a brow. "And that's a good thing?"

I eagerly nodded before slipping the handkerchief into my pocket, determined never to lose another. "Very good. Thank you, Gabriel." I clasped his hand in mine as warmth surged through me. "You are the very best of friends."

His face fell as he pulled away. "I wish I... never mind."

I thought my heart had fallen out of my chest when he pulled away. What had I done to cause his shift in mood? "You wish what, Gabriel?"

"I would love to be more than your friend, but you deserve more than this." He frowned and looked down at his legs.

I leaned into him, grasping his hand once more, squeezing tight enough so he didn't pull away. "Do not speak so, Gabriel."

"But it's true." He breathed out a heavy sigh. "I'm an invalid. I could do nothing while my brother was being attacked. I sat there helplessly. And when you went into the water, I thought I would have died if you didn't come out."

"Oh, Gabriel!" His pain pierced my heart, causing so much anguish. I grasped his shoulders, thinking of no other way to offer him relief than with a kiss.

My mouth hovered dangerously close to his as I cupped the back of his head, running my fingers through his thick hair. The shock in his eyes was short-lived, replaced by something else, something so powerful, neither of us could break free of the spell. He bent his head toward mine, feathering a kiss across my lips.

I sighed against him, the feel of his skin so intimately connected to mine, sending powerful waves of desire coursing through me.

He pulled back, panting like a wounded animal. "No, Safi. You deserve better."

"But it's you I want."

With a groan, he wrapped me in an embrace, kissing me so deeply, so passionately, my head spun. I moaned in delight when his tongue sought mine. He tasted of warm tortillas and wine. Instinctively, my hands roamed his strong arms and hard chest. Then he broke the kiss, sucking in a gasp when my hands wandered lower.

"What are you doing?"

I smoothed down his legs, my fingertips tingling with the oddest sensation, as if little bugs were crawling out of them. "I don't know. Just let me do this." I bit my lip, concentrating on the tingling. Something was wrong, for when the sensation left my fingers, I didn't feel a warmth. I began unbuckling his trousers.

"Safi, no!" he hissed, trying to push me away. "Not here."

I grasped his hand and squeezed, looking deeply into his eyes. "Please, Gabriel. I need to touch your skin for it to work."

Nodding solemnly, he released my hand, leaning back with a groan as I pulled down his trousers.

I bit my lip, flushing when I noticed the swell beneath his undergarments. I knew little of the male species but suspected desire made him so. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of lust, for healing Gabriel was of far greater importance.

I wanted to cry when I saw his bare legs, which resembled skeletal twigs wrapped in parchment. I closed my eyes and ran my hands down his thighs, channeling the magic of my healing powers as warmth infused my fingers.

"Safi, I feel it. I feel you touching me."

His breathy voice was like an echo in my skull, so focused was I on healing him.

"My toe twitched. Did you see that?"

I shook my head, keeping my eyes shut as I continued to caress his legs. Then the oddest thing happened. More warmth poured out of me, flowing so fast it was as if my fingertips were bleeding. My head swam with dizziness, and I was forced to pull away. I leaned against the wall, moaning as another wave of dizziness overcame me.

So this was why Mother was always tired after a healing. Great magic took great strength.

"Oh, Safi!" Gabriel cupped my face, showering me with kisses.

When our lips finally met, it was as if he was pouring his heart into me. After a long, languid kiss, I felt renewed. "Your kisses give me strength."

"Then let me kiss you again," he rasped.

I tried to push him back. "I want to heal you, Gabriel." My words slurred as if I'd drunk that entire jug of wine. How had this fatigue overcome my speech? I'd only briefly touched him.

"Safi. You're tired. You must rest." Gabriel's voice sounded so hollow, as if he were speaking in a dream.

My eyelids were so heavy. Though I tried to fight it, they closed of their own accord. "But I'm not finished."

He brushed hair off my cheek and stroked my back. "Rest, Safi. Please."

"I will heal you, Gabriel," I murmured as I lay on my side and snuggled against a warm blanket.

"I know," he whispered before kissing my brow.

I sighed as I inhaled his scent, the feel of his lips on mine lingering in my memory as I succumbed to darkness.