“Jessa!”
A shriek tore me from my dream world. My eyes flew open as I struggled to free myself from the covers. I was trapped under the heat and weight of Jacob and Tyson. Mischa was standing on the end of the bed. She ignored the Compasses and crawled across the sheets to throw herself onto me.
“You’re safe, you’re safe.” She repeated it over and over.
I managed to wiggle an arm free and loop it around her, hugging her close. I thought moisture hit my cheek, but I couldn’t hear any crying, and when she pulled back a few minutes later her face looked dry.
“I was so worried. Where were you?”
The six of us stayed snuggled in the two beds – Tyson shifted to the side so Mischa could sprawl between us – while I quickly detailed our little side adventure to Faerie land. Mischa never interrupted me, her eyes wide, the green very light today. I decided there was no point reiterating the part when I found Maximus in bed with his new mate. Despite the fact we were all together, I could feel the tension between those two. I was pretty sure the vampire was only pretending to be asleep.
“Where have you been?” I asked Mischa when I finished my explanation.
Her eyes darkened to the murky color of moss, her face transforming from light and open into secrets and heaviness.
“I’ve made some new friends in here, I’d like you to meet them.” She crawled backwards off me, the warm sisterly feeling from before evaporating with her vague explanation. “I can see you’re busy right now, so later …okay?”
She spun and started for the door, only turning back at the last minute. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Jess, I’ve missed you a lot. I’m heading over to see Mom and Jonathon. Come find me when you get up.”
I gave her a nod and she left the room, closing the door behind her. I was sitting in the bed, my thoughts tumultuous. Something big was going on with Mischa. I’d been worried before, but now … now I knew it was bad. I needed to know what had happened with her and Maximus, and where exactly she had been spending her time the last three weeks. Maximus would have figured out that Cardia was his mate the day I disappeared, when he fed on her, so Mischa had been pulling away all of that time. She’d lost her sister and her sort-of-boyfriend in an instant.
I pushed down my worry for the moment. It was good for her to be with our parents. Jonathon was usually very switched on when it came to the moods of his pack members. I hoped he was aware and dealing with Mischa. I snuggled myself back down into the warm space between the two males. The Compasses remained silent, although I could sense some heavy thoughts.
I was still exhausted. I was pretty sure I hadn’t slept that long, and the dreams were not allowing me any solid rest. I really just wanted to sleep soundly for a few hours.
I started tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable, when Jacob reached out and captured my hand. He began to sing, a low soothing melody, and just like that I was unable to hold on to my consciousness. I don’t care what he said, there’s magic in the feys’ singing. This time when I drifted off, the dreams stayed far away.
Hours later I awoke naturally, sprawled out on my stomach, both arms under my pillow snuggling it toward me. I felt a thousand times better, refreshed, as I turned myself over, stretching my arms above my head, letting my body elongate right down to pointed toes. Nothing better than a good stretch.
Small particles of light streamed around the room, so when I rolled across to my side I was blindsided by a massive expanse of bare chest.
I froze.
My eyes darted left and right as I tried to figure out what to do. I could see – and scent – that there were no Compasses left in the room except Braxton. We had needed sleep the most; the other boys would have bailed earlier and left us to our rest. My body softened as I studied the face across from me. It was only in sleep that Braxton seemed relaxed, young even. When he was awake it was easy to forget he was only twenty-two, he carried so much strength and domination. The power he wielded was the same as that of the elders.
I scooted a little closer. I couldn’t help myself. I was drawn to him and I was starting to see that this was not going away – the need was increasing.
And I didn’t want to fight it any longer.
I continued to watch him. There wasn’t the slightest sign that he was awake, no change in breathing or even flicker of an eye – when suddenly his lids flew open and piercing blue eyes pinned me to place. I held my breath. No doubt, Braxton and I had reached the point where we had to deal with this thing between us. I felt as if I was going to self-destruct if I didn’t touch him. If he didn’t touch me. If we didn’t … damn, I’m in trouble.
We were silent for many long moments, the flow of energy between us so strong it was almost visible. Braxton reached out a long arm then and cupped his hand around the back of my head. My breath caught in my throat. His other hand scooted behind my ass, and then, with exquisite care – and an anticipation which almost had me moaning – he dragged me closer. So slowly did he close the distance between our bodies.
The few times I allowed myself to dream about being with Braxton, I’d imagined it hard and fast, passions overwhelming us as we lost control. So far it was the opposite: tender and gentle. I wasn’t sure if he was savoring our moment or if he was giving me the chance to stop him. But if that’s what he was waiting for, he was going to be very disappointed.
At some point I’d made this decision, and now I was following through no matter what the consequences were. The emotions threatening to burst from my chest were so strong, the attraction and years of love I held for him so overwhelming, nothing could tear me from this moment.