“I knew that he was the one that was helping you, and not because of what I am. It just made sense because of the amount of time that you spent here and the people that I know you have met.” Carefully the brunette turned until she could see Del’s face. “I don’t blame you, you know that.” Reaching up, she caressed the detective’s face.
Del offered a weak smile, enjoying the feel of Raelin’s touch. “You figured me out. You sure you aren’t secretly a P.I.? You’ve figured out more than I have around here and you can certainly take care of yourself.”
Raelin shook her head. “I don’t take that good care of myself. Look what happened.”
“You were outnumbered for one, and two why didn’t you just use magic. Raelin, I know you could have taken the whole town if you’d wanted.” She let her hand drift from Raelin’s stomach to her side, holding her closer.
The witch sighed. “Innocents could have been harmed. I couldn’t take that chance. Can you understand my reasoning?”
As angry as Del was at whoever had attacked Raelin, she knew most of them had probably been manipulated into being there or fed total lies. She understood Raelin’s reasoning, but she wasn’t sure she would have been able to do the same. “You amaze me. I don’t think I would have been that forgiving,” Del whispered, placing a barely there kiss on the bruise under Raelin’s injured eye.
Closing her eye, the brunette leaned her head against Del’s chest. “I don’t think I would have been if you had been in danger though. I’m not honorable. I will do what I have to do to protect those that I care about.”
“Then you understand why it was so hard for me to not be angry. They hurt you, badly, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The whole time I was away I just had this sinking feeling, like something terrible had happened and then I got here and Jasper told me what happened,” Del paused hesitant to voice her thoughts. “Well, it was honestly the first time in my life I actually wished harm on another human being. It took so much for me to calm myself down enough to be able to slip in here beside you.”
Raising her head, Rae placed a soft kiss against Del’s lips, careful of her own wound. “Do you remember what I did the day at the camp, and how quiet I was afterwards? I had so much rage within me, that I could have leveled the entire camp and not felt guilty. They had hurt you...I know what it took for you to do this...you’re much stronger than I.”
“I wouldn’t say that. We complement each other, where I’m weak, you are strong. Like puzzle pieces, remember? Now I think you’ve had a long day, and need your rest. If I’ve learned anything about you these last few days, it’s that you probably pushed yourself too far at Jasper’s and drained yourself, with the tainted lines no less. You should sleep now,” Del replied gently, her hand now running through Raelin’s soft wavy hair, fingernails lightly scratching her scalp every so often.
“You won’t leave...you promise?” Raelin felt foolish for asking, but couldn’t stop herself.
“I’ll be the first thing you see when you open your eyes, even if I have to lay here all day. I won’t leave, I promise,” whispered Del; tilting Raelin’s head back so she could look her in the eye as she promised.
Smiling, Raelin closed her eye and soon was in a deep sleep.
Del laid awake for most of the night, watching as her lover slept. The first glimpse of the battered face had nearly broken her and it was only by pure, raw determination that Del was able to calm herself enough to join Raelin in the bed. She knew she probably wouldn’t sleep much; she’d be too keyed into the sounds of the house, trying to make sure she knew if someone tried to get in. More than that though, she needed to be able to see Raelin’s chest rising and falling, reassuring her that she was alive and well enough given the circumstances. It wasn’t until the sun was peeking through the window that Del finally drifted into an uneasy and light sleep, dreams of funerals and lost loves plaguing what little rest she managed.
A Chapter 13 a
Del found herself sitting in a field, tall grass swaying with the gentle breeze as the warm spring sun beat down. She looked around and realized she wasn’t alone; Rori sat looking up from his place at her feet. “Hello Rori, wouldn’t happen to know where your witch is would you? It’s nice out and it’s the perfect weather to share with someone.” She didn’t expect much in the way of an answer, but she always felt as though his mind was human under the feline form.
“What, I’m not good enough to share the afternoon with?” The gray cat’s tail swished through the grass.
Del started at the deep male voice that floated up to her. She looked at him oddly. “I didn’t say that. I was simply wondering if she wanted to join us. How come I can hear you?” Del patted her lap, inviting him to join her if he pleased.
“Excuse me...you heard what I said?” He jumped up into her lap, and placed his front paws on her chest. “How is that possible?”
“How should I know? I know less about this kind of thing than you or Raelin,” she replied, scratching his ears affectionately. “Must be a hell of a dream I’m having,” she chuckled.
“Wait a minute...now I’m in your dreams...Is nothing sacred?” Rori sat in the blonde’s lap. “I think that this means we need to talk.”
“How do you think I feel; this is my dream. I think you might be right though. What is on your mind good sir? You must have some choice words for me given how you greeted me at the door earlier.”
“I have rethought my actions since then...I overheard your conversation with Raelin, and I believe that you do love my human, but we do need to have an understanding.” Rori stared up at the detective. “What are you intentions toward her? Are you planning on staying after this is all said and done?”
“You sound like my father right before my first date,” she took a deep breath, taking the time to think about her words before she said them. “I love Raelin. More than I’ve loved anyone I’ve been with. I will be honest; I wasn’t expecting to find the love of my life in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Especially not in a small town here in the south, but I did. I’m not going to leave her Rori, not now that I’ve found her. I know I failed her today, she got hurt, and that kills me. I won’t let it happen again, I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting her if I have to. I’m also aware that you and Raelin come as a team, I like you Rori, I respect you, and your place in her life. I’m not going to try and take you from her.”
He licked his paw and washed his face. “As if you could, but I thank you for saying that...by the way, would you mind please, putting on some clothes? I have now seen more of you that I ever wanted to.”
Del’s eyes snapped open at Rori’s words and she turned her head to find him looking at her from his perch on the nightstand. A quick glance down revealed that the sheets had slipped off her in her sleep and she grabbed at them, pulling them tightly to her chin, her face flushed red. “Morning Rori, you wouldn’t believe the dream I just had. We were sitting in a field and I could actually hear you.”
“I was wondering though, was your first date with a male or a female?” The cat licked his lips.
Del’s head snapped around so fast that she swore she’d given herself whiplash. She had turned to check on Raelin when a decidedly male voice cut through her thoughts. “A boy, but only because I had a crush on the girl his best friend was dating and it was a double date. Why am I hearing your voice? Am I still asleep?”
“No, you are Raelin’s true match. You two have found each other, against all odds and I can speak with only her equal. So do you agree that we have come to our understanding?” He lightly leapt to sit on her chest, looking down into her green eyes.
“I believe we have. Does this mean you can hear my thoughts, because I’m not so sure I like the idea of that? Bad enough Raelin’s in my head so much,” she chuckled, scratching his chin.
“Only when you allow me, can I hear you, but I want to warn you once more. Hurt Raelin and I will use your face as a scratching post. Now get up, she did not eat yes
terday other than your breakfast,” he butted his head against her chin before jumping down and padding out the bedroom door.
Del laid stock still for a few moments, trying to adjust to these new developments. This was quite possibly the most surreal moment of her life, but then, this whole case had been one thing after another. She slipped carefully out of the bed, trying her best not to disturb the still sleeping woman next to her. Having managed not to wake Raelin, she got dressed, pulling on a too big t-shirt she’d found in one of Raelin’s drawers and a pair of shorts. She headed downstairs and into the kitchen to start breakfast for everyone.
Finding Rori on his bench, she decided to see if he had been right about her thoughts. Looking at him, she narrowed her eyes in concentration. “What. Would. You. Like. To. Eat?” she thought slowly and carefully.
“I am not a child...and scrambled eggs will be fine.” The feline began to wash himself.
Del looked at him for a few moments before she threw her head back and laughed. “Sorry Rori, I’m still trying to get used to this. It’s not like I spent a whole lot of my life talking to familiars. And another thing, are you supposed to have eggs? I make mine with milk and I’ve heard most adult cats get sick from it.”
“Good, you know what makes me sick. I do believe that there is a bit of salmon left. That will do.”
She snorted indignantly, pulling the salmon out of the fridge to get it ready for his meal. “Really? A test this early in the morning? Have some mercy already.” She finished his breakfast, giving him a little more than usual as a treat. “What do you think the others want? Bacon and eggs sound okay to you? Maybe some pan fried hash browns?”
“As long as there is bacon, Raelin will eat almost anything.” The cat was about to say more, when Jenny came into the kitchen.
“Morning Del...how is Rae this morning?”
Del turned from the bacon she’d been placing in a frying pan to greet the younger woman. “Hey, she’s still sleeping. I wasn’t able to get out exactly what was hurt, but I think you may have been right about her ribs. The cuts and bruises are obvious enough on their own.” The seriousness of Raelin’s injuries clouded her mind with guilt again and she returned to her work on breakfast, her previous good mood now gone.
“Why don’t I finish up then, and you go help her come down?” The younger woman nudged her away from the stove.
“What is with you guys and not letting me cook; I’m going to get a complex if you guys keep this up,” she quipped, heading for the stairs. Just before she left the kitchen, she turned and looked at the young woman in front of the stove. “It’s good to see you up and about Jenny. I’m glad you are feeling better, and thanks for the help,” she offered a small smile and then made her way up the stairs to the master bedroom.
She opened the door softly, seeing that Raelin was still asleep, but she could tell by her breathing that she was drifting towards wakefulness. She lay on top of the sheets, next to the sprawled out woman, gently pushing her hair back from her face. The full light of the morning, allowed her to get a better look at the bruising and swelling and she had to fight down the urge to cry.
Remembering that Raelin had enjoyed her previous method of waking her up, she leaned down and pressed kisses gently across her forehead and cheeks. “I know you’re waking Darlin’, why don’t you join me in the land of the living for a bit, so you can tell me where to find you some painkillers.”
Trying to open her eyes caused the brunette to wince. “Ow...I do love the way that you wake me up.”
“I love being allowed to wake you, so guess it works out for us both. Now why don’t you tell me where I can find something for the pain I know you are feeling?” she asked, rubbing her nose lightly against Raelin’s.
“In the cabinet in the bathroom is a bottle marked willow. If you can bring me a couple of the capsules, and a glass of water; I believe that will do the trick.” Rae carefully moved to a sitting position.
Del helped Raelin settle and then slowly got up from the bed. A few short moments later, Del was returning to the bed with the aforementioned bottle and a glass of cool water. She handed the glass to Raelin and poured a couple of the pills into her hand, holding it out for the witch. “So, you think you’re up for heading downstairs? I started breakfast, but I was usurped from my place to come up here and look after you,” Del explained with a smile.
Taking the pills, Rae swallowed them with a gulp of water, and then handed the glass back to Del. Running her hand through her hair, she complained. “I must look awful.”
“You’re beautiful, but if you’d like, I can help you into the shower?” Del offered, softly combing her fingers through soft dark waves.
“That would be nice...I believe a hot shower would help a lot...not just that, but being with you will help more.” The witch ducked her head, and then her eyes went wide. “Oh no!”
“What? What’s wrong?” Del asked, concern clouding her features.
“I don’t want the first time that you see me naked to be when I’m hurt.” Rae looked embarrassed.
Del hadn’t even thought of that. “Um, well I can always just not look if you want. It might be a little hard to help you get undressed, but if you’re more comfortable like that, I’ll do it. In the grand scheme of things, you’re still my beautiful girl; the bruises are temporary and will soon fade. How I feel about you won’t change, no matter how banged up you might be.”
Taking a deep breath, Raelin decided that there was no other way to do this. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just think of this like a before and after shot. If you wouldn’t mind helping me, I would really appreciate it.”
“Of course. Do you want me to get you some clothes, pj’s, anything like that?” she asked, helping Raelin get slowly out of the bed.
Standing slowly, Rae was amazed how sore she actually was. “There are some cotton shorts and a tank top in the second drawer on the right and the top left drawer has my...underwear.” The witch blushed and slowly started for the bathroom, as she didn’t want to watch her lover going through that certain drawer. Not yet anyway.
Del understood Raelin’s discomfort; they hadn’t had much time to get really comfortable with each other yet, at least not comfortable enough that she would be okay rifling through her girlfriends underwear drawer. Quickly gathering the requested items, she joined Raelin halfway to the bathroom. She wrapped a gentle arm around her waist, letting Raelin place whatever weight she needed on to her.
Once in the bathroom, the brunette leaned against the vanity while Del turned on the shower and got it to a comfortable setting. Turning back to her witch, she saw her trying to unbutton the shirt. “How on earth did you get this on last night?”
“I have no idea. I guess mind over matter.” Rae panted at the effort it had taken.
“That’s pretty impressive. I’m not sure I’d have made it past the front door.” She reached up and gently brushed her hair away from Raelin’s face before grasping either side of her shirt, never breaking her gaze away from the dark eyes of her lover. “I’m going to undo all the buttons and get this off you. Trust me?”
“With my heart,” Raelin’s answer was whispered, but heartfelt.
Del gave her a reassuring smile and started with the buttons on the simple shirt Raelin had slept in. She leaned in and kissed the corner of Raelin’s mouth as she gently pushed the now open shirt off the taller woman’s shoulders. “I’m going to look, but only to gauge the damage okay? I’m not trying to embarrass you or anything.”
Nodding her head, Raelin kept her good eye on Del’s face; wanting to judge exactly how bad she really looked.
Del glanced down over Raelin’s torso, trying to keep her face neutral. Knowing she hadn’t been able to keep all of guilt or anger off her face, she quickly took inventory. Raelin’s right side was nearly black, the bruising covering nearly her entire ribcage. The left side wasn’t as bad, but was still sore looking. She ran her fingers gently over the bruises on Raelin’s arms where she�
�d been held down, and could barely hold back the tears when she saw the finger shaped bruises on Raelin’s left breast.
“Oh Darlin’, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’ll find them. They’ll regret doing this to you; I’ll make sure of it,” she whispered around the lump in her throat.
Taking a deep breath, the witch reached out to place her hand over Del’s heart. “I want you to let that feeling go and just feel what we have. Then I want you to touch me...”
A sudden warmth spread out from where Raelin’s hand rested on her chest. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to try and calm herself down, only allowing the love she had for this remarkable woman remain. “Raelin, you’re hurt. I couldn’t possibly touch you like that. Not until I know I won’t end up hurting you worse.”
“Trust me.”
Several deep breaths later Del nodded. “Tell me what you need. You said that my being around helps you recover quicker. I can only assume that’s what you intend, but I’m not sure how it works, so you’ll have to tell me.” She carefully spread her hands across Raelin’s bare tummy, moving them to rest on the swell of her hips, making sure to avoid any tender spots.
Swallowing hard, Raelin whispered, “Put your hand on my breast.”
Del felt her face flush, but she followed the request and slid her hand up until it was resting on Raelin’s breast. She swallowed hard, taking in its silky texture, its weight in her palm, whimpering when she felt the hammering of Raelin’s heart beneath her fingers. “This okay; it doesn’t hurt?”
Closing her eyes, Raelin drew in the warmth and the love she felt from and had for the blonde, and pushed out the pain and bruises. “Now I want you to slowly move both hands down along my sides until I ask you to stop.”
Del did as she asked, running her fingers slowly down Raelin’s side, waiting for her to tell her to stop. Her heart was pounding and it was hard to ignore just how perfect the witch felt under her hands.
Insight Page 20