Page 44 of Enchanted with the Orc (The Kingverse Orcs #4)

Tasia

I paced in front of the kitchen sink, my gaze on the phone on the counter.

“Mommy, you’re making me dizzy,” Gabbi called from where she was sitting on Hanna’s lap. Hanna’s arms were wrapped around her as Gabbi force-fed her cold oatmeal that she hadn’t eaten .

“I’m sorry,” I told Gabbi and the rest of my coven who were sitting around the table as well. Hanna hadn’t had a moment to herself, surrounded by us and cuddling my daughter, who refused to leave her side. “I was just hoping to hear from Enka.”

Hanna nodded, under her eyes smudged with darkness from lack of sleep and stress. “He… He was so kind to come and get me,” she said, clearing her throat as she snuggled Gabbi.

“He’s part of our family now,” Tabitha sniffed, plaiting Hanna’s hair, smoothing the lengths down her back. “He better rescue any of us that need it.”

That started a round of laughter from everyone and I sent her a grateful look. She returned a wink.

“It probably won’t be the last time then,” Hanna chuckled, her eyes closed as she rocked Gabbi side to side. Gabbi shoved another spoonful of her oatmeal into Hanna’s mouth and she swallowed out of habit more than anything else.

I was glad Gabbi was getting her to eat. We hadn’t been able to get her to take a single bite of the breakfast we’d made. I wasn’t making it any better, nervously pacing and eyeing the phone and door like they were lifelines.

“That other male too,” Hanna said, frowning. “What was his name?”

“Which one?” I asked, moving around the table and clearing plates.

“The one who brought me here,” she said, and I saw her bite her lip before she looked away. A sign of embarrassment that I wasn’t used to from her.

“Savla,” I told her, watching her carefully, but she didn’t react, only nodding and sending a careful smile my way.

“I’ll have to thank him,” she said, and I reached out to take her hand in mine.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, studying her .

“I am,” she assured me, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. I knew a little bit about her past, but she didn’t speak about it often, so I didn’t pry any further.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” I told her, sure that I was going to crumble to pieces in worry and guilt.

“Stop saying that,” she huffed, showing some of her old self again with a quick roll of her eyes. “You had no idea that your psycho ex was going to do what he did. Forgive yourself because I haven’t blamed you for a single moment of it.”

Gabbi chose that moment to shove another spoonful of oatmeal into Hanna’s mouth and we both laughed, but mine was teary.

The sound of the door opening pulled my attention away from the moment, my heart soaring with hope. And it was rewarded when a tall, familiar form entered the hotel suite. I ran to him, stopping just in front of him, not sure what I should do.

Was he hurt? Was he regretting that he’d ever tried to help me? Had David hurt him?

I studied him from head to toe, gasping as I saw the blood on his arm, my hands going to it right away before I stopped myself, hoping I hadn’t hurt him.

“Are you okay?” I gasped, but I was in his arms, squeezed tight before I knew what was happening.

That was when the tears started flowing and I was sobbing in his arms, squeezing him tight. I felt a little tornado slam into us and I knew Gabbi was joining in the reunion.

“I’m okay, my mate,” he purred, rubbing his face against my hair and inhaling deeply. “I’m perfect now.”

“You’re bleeding,” I sobbed harder.

“Abu’s bleeding?” Gabbi squeaked, her arms up to be lifted. With a quick dip and scoop, Enka had her in his arms and she held onto both of us in a tight hug. “Why, Abu? Did you fight?”

She pulled away to give him a stern look. “Mommy said you’re not supposed to fight.”

He gave her a nod, before saying, “And if someone picks a fight with you, what do you do?”

“Get Abu,” she said with a firm nod and he pressed a proud kiss to her forehead.

“Exactly,” he told her.

“Can we go home now that Aunty Hanna’s back?” she asked, snuggling against his throat before scrunching her nose. “Abu you’re stinky.”

The boom of his laughter resonated through me, joy filling me that my family was hale and whole.

“Yeah, we’re going home,” he told her, pressing another kiss to the top of her head and then mine, pulling away and putting her down before heading to the bedroom, sending a wave in the direction of my coven who were staring with avid interest at our interaction.

I felt heat sweep up my cheeks as Gabbi skipped her way back to them.

“Well, well,” Tabitha said, grinning at me. “Isn’t this something?”

I refused to respond, holding up a finger as I rushed after my mate. He was already taking his shirt off in the bathroom and his eyes widened when he saw me. He turned toward me, reaching out and searching my face.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and soothing, a purr automatically leaving his chest as he tried to calm me down.

I shook my head as my body relaxed, reaching for his arm. “You’re hurt,” I told him, cradling his hand to me.

His grin was huge and please. “Worried about me?” he asked, leaning forward for a sweet kiss. “I’m fine. The bullet went in and out.”

“You were shot ?” I screeched, startling him, and he shrugged.

“Just twice. It wasn’t anything— ”

I covered his mouth with my palm, narrowing my gaze on him. “You were shot twice ,” I demanded, “and you didn’t tell me ?”

His eyebrows went up and his eyes widened, but he didn’t remove my palm, only nodding in response.

I took a deep breath, trying to regulate the rush of worry and fury at David that was running through me. After a few seconds, I released the breath, struggling to get under control.

“Okay,” I said in a calm voice. “So from now on, when you get hurt,” I sounded out, trying to be reasonable, “I’d appreciate it if you tell me, alright?”

He gave a slow nod as I pulled my hand from his mouth.

“Good. So we’re going to treat the wounds—”

“Only one of them touched skin, and it’s already healed—” he tried to interrupt, but the glare I sent his way silenced him.

“As I was saying,” I sounded out with narrowed eyes, “we’re going to treat it and then you’re going to promise me that you’re never going to do anything to get hurt ever again .”

His gaze softened, but he shook his head.

“I want to give you everything you want, my mate, but I can’t promise you that I won’t get hurt,” he said in a low voice and I was about to argue when he continued.

“If it ever comes to it, I’ll protect you and our daughter.

If that means getting hurt, I don’t care.

If it means giving my life for yours, I—”

I couldn’t take it. I stopped him with a trembling hand over his lips again. Tears ran freely down my face and I pressed it into his chest, cherishing the feel of him there.

“I can’t think about losing you,” I gasped, shaking my head. “Don’t ever say that again.”

His lips curved in a smile against my fingers. “I won’t say it but I need you to understand. I’d do anything for you and Gabbi, so I can’t promise that to you. ”

I nodded, nuzzling my nose against him.

“I love you,” I told him, pressing my cheek to where his heart was thumping.

“I love you too, my mate,” he murmured, running his big palm down my back.

It was a long moment before I released a rough laugh.

“You really do need a bath,” I joked, and he pulled me tighter against him.

“Good. Then you’ll take one with me.”

I released a loud peal of laughter as he pulled me into the shower, sending our clothes flying as we went.