by Cate Dean
“Lidia.” He moved to the bed and reached for her hand, halting before he touched it. “You’re awake.”
“Yeah.” She sounded terrible. “Don’t—stop.” She glanced at his hand.
With what seemed like relief, he cradled her hand, his fingers shaking. “I was afraid,” he lowered his head, his voice quiet, raw. “I feared that I’d lost you.”
“Almost. I heard you.”
He lifted his head, his gold brown eyes dark with exhaustion. She knew then that he hadn’t left her side. “You—heard me?”
“It was—the whole cliché. Bright light, peaceful feeling. Then I heard you, and I—knew I had to come back.” He closed his eyes, tears sliding down his cheeks. “Hey.” She wanted to reach up and wipe at his tears, but she barely had the strength to stay awake. “Okay.” She could feel herself slipping. “We’re okay.”
“Stay with me, Lidia.”
“Just—sleeping,” she muttered. “Promise.”
His lips brushed her cheek, his breath warm on her skin. “I love you, my beautiful witch. Sleep. I will be here when you wake.”
The image of his face, and the sound of his voice, followed her into the darkness. She felt safe, connected, loved.
No matter what happened, she had made the right choice.
Twelve
Sunlight streamed through the window when Lidia woke again.
This time, it was easy to open her eyes, easy to focus. She found Harry, still at her side, like he promised. He was asleep, his head resting on his arms. She blinked when she found Max curled up next to him, purring like an engine, watching her with his jewel green eyes.
“How did you get in here?” she whispered. Her voice still sounded terrible, but not as terrible as before. Max crawled over to her and bumped her shoulder with his head, before he curled up next to her. “I missed you, too, old man.”
When she looked up, Harry was watching her.
“Good morning.” He sounded exhausted, and what looked like several days of stubble darkened his jaw. “Stay here.” He stood, and leaned over to kiss her forehead. “The doctor wanted to know when you woke.”
“There goes my nature walk.” She winked at him when he halted, looking over his shoulder. “Kidding.”
He flashed her a smile and walked out of her room.
“Wow.” She didn’t remember him smiling like that before. Her reaction to it surprised her; she felt lightheaded, and ridiculously happy. “Well—the lightheaded might be injury related,” she muttered.
“Talking to yourself is the first sign that you’re getting better.” The man who stood in the doorway, wearing a white doctor’s coat, looked familiar. “I’m Dr. McGuire, Lidia. Let’s take a look, and see how you’re doing.”
“Dr. McGuire—from the posters.”
“So, my advertising works.” He winked at her, warming the end of his stethoscope between his hands. “There—that shouldn’t feel like an ice cube on your chest. Now, take a deep breath for me.” He slipped the warm scope under her hospital gown, listening as she breathed in, and let it out. “Very good, Lidia. You’re coming along nicely.”
“I wasn’t before, was I?”
He sobered, and took her hand. “I thought the spell had won. But you surprised me, child, by walking away from the peace offered to you.”
Realization smacked her. “It was you—the voice I heard. That was you.”
“Guilty.”
“Why?”
He sighed, and sat on the bed next to her. “I’m a sorcerer, Lidia.” She jerked at his confession. Sorcerers were dark magic users, and every witch she knew avoided them. “I deal with death on a regular basis. As a witch, losing your magic is sometimes worse than death. It is why I gave you the choice—a choice you needed to make on your own. Many witches in your position weren’t strong enough to turn away from the light.”
“They didn’t have a Harry.”
“No.” Dr. McGuire glanced at the door. “They didn’t.”
She turned, and found Harry standing there, tall, beautiful, and hers.
He walked into the room and stopped at the end of the bed. “How is she, Dr. McGuire?”
“On the mend.” He stood. “I’d like to keep you another day, Lidia, to make sure your recovery is going to stick. But I’m confident that you will be able to go home tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” she said. She waited until he’d walked out of the room, then held out her hand to Harry. “Come and sit with me.” He sat next to her, and she leaned against him, wrapping the arm not hindered by an I.V. tube around his waist. “Thank you.”
“For what?” His deep, gentle voice rumbled through her.
“For not giving up on me.”
“Not an option.”
She blinked back the tears stinging her eyes, then looked up at him, smiling. “Tell me all the gossip.” He rubbed her back, slow, soothing. She wanted to drift off, surrounding by his warmth, his scent, but she forced herself to stay awake. “What happened with Ned?”
“He recovered, enough to travel home. There is a letter from him, at your house. Every other sentence starts with the words I’m sorry.”
She smacked his arm. “You read it.”
“And I am not sorry.”
Laughter burst out of her. She regretted the outburst immediately. “Ouch.”
Harry settled her back to the bed. “The doctor said you would be sore for some time. You fought quite a battle, Lidia, and the spell nearly defeated you.”
“I don’t remember it. I think that’s a good thing.” The pain that sprang into his eyes confirmed her suspicion. “Tell me some more juicy gossip.” That would distract him. “What happened with Jared?”
“Ah.” The pain eased as he smiled. “I am afraid Jared finally got his comeuppance.”
“Comeuppance?” Lidia fought a smile, and lost. “Who says that?”
“I do.” He raised an eyebrow. “When the situation calls for it.”
“Sorry. Please, spill about his comeuppance.”
“He attacked me, on my way to help you.”
She tried to sit. “What—why didn’t you say anything?”
Harry gently pushed her back to the bed. “You were more important at the time. It seems that Hank was checking on my shop at the same time, and heard us. He arrested Jared for assault. There were witnesses, tourists walking past who saw him attack me.”
“Good.” Lidia rarely wished ill on anyone, but Jared deserved all the karma coming at him. In spades. “Will I need to make a statement?”
“Only if you feel the need. Witnesses his father can’t pay off will be enough for Hank.”
She touched his hand. “How do you feel about it?”
“Relieved.” For the first time since he had first told her about his injury, he looked like he was at peace. “Jared has been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. He is also being charged for the window. Another witness came forward, making a statement about seeing him throw a rock through it.”
“Wow. It looks like his number came up, in a big way.”
“I do have some other news.” He looked down at the bed. “Dr. Mead took a look at my shoulder, and she thinks she can help me.”
“Harry.” She cupped his chin, and applied pressure until he met her eyes. “That’s wonderful. Isn’t it?”
“I don’t want to hope.” He swallowed. “I don’t dare hope, until I know it is a certainty.”
“If you want me to, I’ll be there.”
He took her hand. “I would like that.”
Lidia smiled at him, tears stinging her eyes. He leaned in and kissed her, gentle, and much too short. Heavens, she had missed that. Missed him.
“Okay,” she said, clearing her throat. “Now for the serious stuff. What’s up with you and Max?”
He smiled, the pain easing. “We came to an agreement of sorts. We both love you, so we agreed to focus on you, and not each other.”
“He’s a wise cat.”
&nb
sp; She wanted to laugh at the indignant look on his face, but her ribs already ached, so she held it in.
A knock on the door had him standing.
The door opened, and Willa poked her head inside. “Am I interrupting?”
“No,” Lidia said. “Come in.” She grabbed Harry’s hand before he could move out of reach. After an endless second, he laced their fingers together, and stayed at her side.
“I know this is too little too late,” Willa said, pulling a small, black velvet box out of the bag she carried. “But here’s the ring you commissioned.”
She opened the box, and handed it to Lidia.
“Willa—it’s stunning.” The ring winked against its black box, silver wrapping around twin ovals of rose quartz and amethyst. A round sapphire sat between them, dark blue, sparkling, and calling to her. “I can—feel it,” she whispered. She looked up at Willa. “I can feel my power.”
“Good.” Willa looked relieved. “Dr. McGuire was hoping that the ring would act as a conduit. We gathered up the shards of the stone. There’s every chance that you can reclaim your magic. It will take time, and there are no guarantees, but Dr. McGuire has already agreed to help you.”
“I—yeah, I think I want that.”
Harry finally spoke, his voice quiet. “Not until your strength has returned.”
She blinked at him. No man had ever cared enough to step in and voice his opinion about her wellbeing, or her magic. “Okay,” she said. She had never felt as loved as she did right now. “Thanks.”
He looked surprised, but he nodded, squeezing her hand.
Willa cleared her throat, backing to the door. “I’ll leave you two alone. I just wanted to deliver the ring, and make sure you were doing all right. Don’t put it on until you’re ready to start reclaiming, but keep it with you, so you can tune to each other.”
“I will. Thank you again, Willa. It’s just—so beautiful.”
Willa smiled, and waved as she closed the door.
“Are you certain, Lidia?” Harry sat next to her, concern, and something else in his eyes as he studied her. “About trying to take back your magic? It can be—”
“Dangerous, I know. I’m sure that I want to give it a shot. Don’t worry—I’ll know when to give up, if it’s not working. Dr. McGuire will also be there, and despite him being a sorcerer, I trust him.”
“I want to be with you, when you do this.”
She laid her head against his chest, and listened to his steady heartbeat.
“I wouldn’t want you anywhere else, Harry.”
Thirteen
Harrison took a deep, calming breath, then knocked on Lidia’s front door.
She opened it, smiling up at him. “You know you don’t have to knock.”
“So you’ve told me. I still feel the need to—”
“Be formal, polite, blah blah blah.” She laughed at his raised eyebrows, then grabbed his hand and stood on tiptoe. “Kiss me hello, Harry Grey. I’ve missed you.”
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in, happy to oblige. When she moaned, low in her throat, he deepened the kiss, letting go of her hand to cradle the back of her head, angle her to seduce, to taste, to devour.
When he was forced to come up for air, she leaned against him, gasping.
“Wow. You do know how to kiss, Harry.”
“You inspire me.”
“Then let me inspire you again.” She pulled him down and captured his lips.
It was his turn to be overwhelmed by the kiss, to need the support of the wall beside him when she finally freed him.
“So,” she said, sounding as breathless as he felt. “What’s the plan for today?”
He took a few deep breaths, let his head clear. Since she had been released from the hospital, Harry had come over every day, finding ways to distract her from what he knew she wanted—her magic.
So far, it had worked, but he could feel her getting antsy—and more so as her strength returned, faster than he expected.
“I wanted to take you to the waterfall today.”
“The waterfall? I’d love to see it.”
“Good. Shall we?” He wiped his hand before he took hers, afraid his palm might be sweating.
He had planned this day for some time, and now that it was here, he could feel nerves threatening to take hold. Lidia seemed oblivious to his discomfort; he wanted to keep it that way, and distract her until he was ready.
He drove her out to the waterfall, and she climbed out of the car as soon as he stopped.
“It’s beautiful, Harry.” She headed for the pool at the base of the waterfall, hugging herself as she got closer to the water. This time of year, the wind and spray blowing off the waterfall would be chilly. Perhaps he should have waited, until she wasn’t so recently out of the hospital— “Stop second guessing yourself. I’m fine.”
He shook his head. Sometimes, it was as if she could read his thoughts.
Moving to her side, he took her hand, and watched the water pour down the side of the cliff. “I used to come here as a boy, after I was injured. I hoped the water would heal me, somehow. I spent hours swimming in the pool, no matter how cold.” He shook his head. “I think it helped more with my muscle recovery than anything. But it did allow me to start making peace with what I was, and what I wasn’t.”
“I’m doubly honored that you brought me here.” She leaned against him, letting out a sigh, and he knew it was time.
“Lidia.”
She looked up at him, frowning. “Harry? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I—there’s something I want to—” He let go of her hand and backed away from her, panic skating through him. What if she didn’t want this?
“Harry.” Her voice was gentle, her hand cool when she touched his wrist. “It’s okay. Deep breaths, then tell me what you need to tell me.”
He took her advice, breathing in the familiar scent of the water, the forest, the damp soil. It helped calm him, enough that he might be able to get through the next sentence.
“Lidia—I love you. I think I have since the day I tumbled at your feet.” He swallowed, and slipped the ring box out of his coat pocket, watching her eyes widen. Time to do this properly, since there was no turning back. He sank to one knee, and opened the box. “Lidia Reston, will you marry me?”
~ * ~
Lidia stared at the ring, winking at her from the navy velvet box.
Her heart pounded wildly, and she was afraid she might get lightheaded enough to pass out.
“I—Harry—oh, my. I need to sit down.”
He was on his feet in an instant, taking her arm as he led her to a boulder, away from the roar of the water.
“I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. I can—”
“Don’t you dare take it back.” She let out her breath, and smiled at him. “Come here, and ask me again.”
He frowned. “Lidia—”
“I know it must have been panic-inducing the first time. But I really need you to ask me again.”
He nodded, swallowing, and knelt in front of her again. “Lidia—I wanted to be smooth, and suave, and calm as I asked you this. But I am none of these, and all I can do is offer you my heart, my life, and all that I am.” His fingers shook as he opened the ring box. “Marry me.”
She slid off the boulder, to her knees, and framed his face. She knew her hands were shaking as much as his, but she needed to touch him.
“Harrison Grey—you are the most unexpected, incredible surprise. When I moved to Nocturne Falls, I was escaping so much, and I didn’t hope for anything beyond a quiet life with Max. But you,” she traced his cheek, loving the feel of his warm, stubbled skin under her fingers. “You were the last thing I anticipated, and the best thing that has ever happened to me. You rescued me, Harry.”
“No.” He cradled her cheek. “You rescued me, Lidia. I was lonely, and determined to spend my life that way, until you showed me that there was a different path for me.”
She smiled. “
We rescued each other. I love you Harry, and it will be my honor, and my pleasure, to marry you.”
He let out a shaky breath, and pulled the ring free of the box. The sapphires and rubies sparkled in the rose gold setting, delicate, but proclaiming to anyone who looked at it that she was well and truly spoken for. Lidia held her breath as he slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly.
She let out a shout of laughter and tackled him.
He caught her—like he always had—kissing her as they sank to the soft, leaf-strewn ground.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Thank you for joining Lidia and Harry as they find each other! My next Nocturne Falls Universe adventure will be coming later this spring. You can sign up for my list, and be the first to know: http://catedeanwrites.com/join-my-list/.
Find all my books here: http://catedeanwrites.com/my-catalog
Want more paranormal adventures? Come and meet Claire Wiche, an ordinary woman, who isn’t so ordinary, and hides a past that is about to catch up with her.
Here is a sneak peek of More Than A Feeling—the prequel to The Claire Wiche Chronicles. It’s available for free at all retailers.
Excerpt from More Than A Feeling
Fog crawled across the ground as they moved deeper into the cemetery, toward the older headstones. Some of them were like mini mausoleums, huge monuments to whoever was buried in the ground. One of the biggest belonged to Daniel Sutherland.
Claire set the bag down and opened it, pulling out white candles. A lot of white candles. She started handing them to Annie. “Place them around the headstone. Here’s a lighter. You can light the candles as you go.”
“Got it.” Annie set one on each corner of the absurdly huge headstone, lighting each one before she moved around to the back. She picked up more from the growing cache on the ground, and after a minute, the glow of candlelight was almost as bright as a streetlamp. “Did you want them anywhere else?”
“No, this will do.” Claire lit the last candle, flipped the lighter closed, and slipped it in her jacket pocket. “Ready?”
Annie swallowed; focusing on the prep had taken her mind off the reason they were here. “Yeah.”