Chapter 19

NINETEEN

Tara

Keep going. Just one step in front of the next. You can do this.

We've been climbing all night in almost total darkness to put enough distance between us and the wolves, and I'm exhausted. Garrick's vision at night is much better than mine, so he's been holding my hand, guiding me to ensure I don't end up falling flat on my face. But even so, I desperately want to rest, even though I don't want to wimp out on Garrick.

I need to distract myself, or I'm just going to sit down and not get up. "Tell me about your home." The words come out as breathless and exhausted as I feel.

Garrick knows what I'm doing. I think. So he plays along, not sounding the least bit tired. "You'll love it there. It's really a community that looks after each other. The bears treat everyone like family."

Family. What would that even be like? Not what I felt with my mother. Maybe what I felt with my father? Is it even possible to feel that way again?

"What about me? Would they treat me like family?" I ask. No matter where I go, I'm an outsider.

He sounds surprised. "Of course they would. They'll see your pure heart and will accept you quickly," he reassures me, then adds on, "And, besides, you're their princess. You'll be beloved to all bear kind. The witch bride who saved them."

The sincerity in his voice eases something in my heart. If he's speaking the truth, maybe going with him will give me everything I've always wanted. Except for my wolf husbands. I push the thought aside. They just want me to find the cure. Once I do that, they'll annul the marriage and forget about me, and with time, I'll forget about them too.

I hope.

Garrick squeezes my hand and helps me over a fallen log. "Our way of life is different from that of the wolves. There are fewer bears than wolves, so our towns are smaller, but everyone watches out for everyone else. Our towns are like big families, with everyone helping one another. I love it back home, and you'll love it too. I just know it."

He sounds so happy that it makes me smile. "That sounds nice, and not like the cut-throat competitiveness in my coven. I think I'd like it there." My smile widens, imagining joining an actual family that pulls me in and loves me. But then another thought occurs to me. "One of your kind did attack me in the castle though."

His happy demeanor shifts. "What?"

I nod. "He nearly killed Rinan and injured me."

He curses under his breath. "I'm sorry. The war between the wolves and bears is paved with bodies. A rogue bear probably thought he'd be doing us a big favor to rid us of the bride to the princes. But you won't have any more trouble now. Not as my wife and mate."

Relief flows through me. "I'm glad for that, at least."

"Your magic will be so valuable too," he says, sounding wistful.

I cringe, not liking the idea of anyone depending on my magic. I've just been lucky here. Everything I've done has been a surprise not a request. I don't like the thought of people being disappointed when I prove to be less than they thought.

Sighing, I ask, "What if my magic isn't great? I'm not the best witch by far." I brave a glance in his direction when he stops walking.

Then, he leans over and kisses me, stealing my breath before pulling back. "Even without magic, you're a catch. I've told you that before. I like you . Magic is just an added bonus."

I let my body meld into his, my face lit up with a smile. He pulls me closer, letting my whole body rest against his. And it feels nice. Right. A picture conjures in my mind of us curled up together, and I almost sag against him.

"You're tired, aren't you?" Garrick asks, gentleness in his voice.

Mumbling into his shirt, I say, "We've been at this for hours. Of course I'm tired. I've never walked this much in my entire life."

Garrick laughs. "So you're squeezing it all into a few days, huh? How's that going for you?"

I push him gently. "It's not. I'm suffering." I make the saddest face I can.

There's more laughter, a deep, pleasant sound that makes my frown twist into a smile. "Okay, let's try to find shelter for the rest of the night. I bet there's a cavern somewhere close by based on these rock formations."

"Thank the gods!"

He kisses the top of my head and sniffs me, and my nipples harden. "Focus on the mission, Garrick," he mumbles to himself.

Pulling away from me, he takes my hand once more and we move away from the river and closer to the mountain. I'm kind of amazed. I'd never be able to find a place to rest on my own, but Garrick just has this instinct when it comes to nature that takes my breath away.

We explore for a few minutes. Me, mostly just stumbling in the darkness. Garrick, moving with determination.

Finally, he stops. "Here's one. Give me a minute, and I'll check to see if it's safe."

Before I can respond, he slips into the cave, disappearing from sight. I wait, feeling nervous. I wonder if it's safe for him to go in if he thought to leave me out here while he checked it out.

More time passes. I don't know how long it takes to search a cave, but it's starting to feel like too long. I thought he'd be in and out. Maybe I should go in and check on him.

"All clear!" he calls out as he exits the cave opening.

"I was worried about you," I tell him as I wrap my arms around him.

He laughs. "It's my job to worry about you. Not the other way around."

I glance up to tell him just how wrong that is when his lips descend on mine. I let my eyes flutter closed as his warm, firm lips meet mine. His hands slide down my back and grip my waist, pulling me closer to him. His lips leave a trail of fire as they travel along my jawline to my neck.

I gasp at the sensation and push myself closer to him, but he abruptly breaks our kiss, leaving me feeling empty and cold. "Why'd you stop?" I ask, panting softly.

"Because we're outside of the cave, and the things I want to do to you requires us to be in the cave, safe from predators and the elements."

"Oh," I say, my cheeks feeling hot. "Then let's get in the cave."

He grabs my ass with both hands and presses me firmly against his erection. "I've never wanted anything more."