Fate

22

Chapter 22

Aryan wrapped a band aid around the mark on my finger, sitting across from me on the coffee table. Dark circles were starting to form under his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked, lowering my voice so Lucy or Kellan wouldn't hear from the kitchen.

He nodded but stayed silent, focusing on the band aid.

I lifted his chin, forcing him to look at me. "Talk to me, Aryan."

"I'm not doing enough to keep you safe. That guy could have kidnapped you or killed you and I'm not doing enough to keep you safe. It's killing me."

"We don't know what he's got planned next. None of us knew this was going to happen."

"But I still should have been able to protect you."

"Aryan, I'm not helpless. I know how to defend myself."

"See, I was right. You don't need me-"

I covered his mouth with my hand. "Shut up. Of course I need you. I wouldn't have known how to fight at all if it weren't for you."

He took my hand away. "Lucy could have done that for me. She practically did."

I took his hand and pulled him to his feet beside me. I took him into the guest bedroom and shut the door softly, not wanting Kellan or Lucy to know what we were doing.

I pressed my lips against his and when I left his hands try to push me back, I moved closer to him, trapping him against the wall. I stretched onto my toes to deepen the kiss and urge him to do the same. Sometimes Aryan was the slowest person ever.

There was a knock at the door beside us and I groaned, my forehead falling onto Aryan's chest.

Holden opened the door and looked at me. "I have news."

Aryan started after him but I grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"We're not finished with this conversation."

He raised his eyebrows but Holden started talking, interrupting us.

"Your angel blood is starting to come in. The detox will help that move faster. I have an IV set up out here for you."

I took a deep breath and nodded. I was really starting to hate needles.

"It should only take several minutes for the IV but the medication won't fully work for several days."

I groaned. "I feel like I've waited forever for this."

"Then waiting longer won't kill you."

I glared at his back as I followed him to the couch. I sat down and held out my arm for him.

"Relax, Julia."

Aryan sat down beside me and Holden put the IV in, his fingers moving quickly and without hesitation.

I let my head fall on Aryan's shoulder, trying to focus on anything but the IV. Aryan turned my arm slowly and used his index finger to trace circles on my palm.

"Aryan?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really glad you're here." Maybe we didn't need to talk. Maybe having him right beside me, being with me when I had an IV sticking out of my arm, was enough. I loved him and he loved me and that was all that mattered.

Lucy sat down across from me in one of the chairs, watching me with worry. Kellan stood against the windows, his arms crossed over his chest.

No one said anything and within minutes, I was asleep.

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Happy Easter!

Writerandreader