Ethan

Chapter Nine

Maya's POV

I woke up with a start.

Cold air greeted me as the sheets slid off. Something moved in my peripheral and I snapped my head around to look. 

I was met with the sight of my mate as he groaned and adjusted his position on the couch in my room. I wondered why he had fallen asleep here instead of going to his own room?

Pushing the covers away from me, I slid off the bed and walked over to Ethan. I crouched by his head and gently brushed the hair from his face. His eyes squeezed shut even tighter and then fluttered open, leaving me to stare into two beautiful pools of swirling grey. 

"This is a great way to wake up, little mate," he whispered, reaching up to trace his fingers along my cheek and jaw. "How are you feeling?"

My brow creased in confusion. "I'm feeling fine. Why?"

He sat up and guided me onto the cushion next to him. "Do you not remember what happened? What's the last thing you remember of yesterday?"

"I was hanging out with Lottie and Iliza, and they were trying to get me to use the magic I did a few weeks ago. And, then- I don't- what-" I paused and stared at him, trying to make sense of the pictures reeling in my mind. 

My hands start to tremble and they fly to my face. I can feel my breathing quicken as panic builds inside my chest. Ethan is quick to pull me into his embrace and tuck my face into his chest. His hands rub my back to soothe me as he gently hums and rocks us back and forth.

"Am I- am I dead?"

"No, the Moon Goddess took over and saved you at the last second. Lottie and Iliza got scolded by both her and myself for their little stunt. They feel bad and wanted to apologize to you, but I won't let them near you until you are in perfect condition."

My fingers pressed against my temples and I buried my face further into his chest. "How do I know?!"

"Know what, Little Moon?"

"That I'm not dead! That this isn't a dream- or the after life! How do I know that this is real and not something in my head?"

Ethan's hands run through my hair and he gently tilts my head back so that he can catch my wild gaze. His lips gently brush mine and the tingles that I love dance across my skin, slightly calming me down.

"Do you feel them? If you can feel the electricity at every touch then it must be the real world. They happen because our souls recognize each other as mates. If this was a dream or the afterlife, do you think that you could feel them when I am not physically there?"

The panic ebbed away as his words wrapped me in a blanket of safety. He was right. I remembered learning about that in class a few days ago. Lowering my hands from my face, I close my eyes and let the rest of my fear leave. His chest rumbles slightly and I feel his nose press into my hair. He takes a deep breath in of my scent and I smile as he tightens his grip on me, pulling me closer to him.

"You can't seem to catch a break, can you?"

My eyes flutter open as I say my words, and I find myself looking into dark gray eyes. He frowns at me, leaning his forehead against mine. "You're gonna give me gray hairs, little moon."

"Between training, Felicity, and this last stunt by the girls, you seem to be unable to relax," I mutter and trace my fingertips along his cheeks. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. You're a magnet for trouble and I just need to adjust to being constantly on alert."

I laugh and shrug my shoulders. "It's a talent of mine. Although, now I assume you're going to be be even more protective. So if it wasn't annoying before, it will be now, right?"