Midnight Whispers - Paranormal Romance (17 page)

“I never want
to be away from you again,” she said afterward, their legs intertwined
companionably.

“You never
have to be.” He rubbed her back affectionately.

Kyra smiled
and snuggled closer to him before falling asleep.

****

Many of the
villagers stopped to greet her and ask her how she was, and Kyra’s heart was
warmed by the fact that they all looked at her with quiet respect in their
eyes—even the ones who used to look at her with complete distain.

She was even
happier when she ran into Jake, who was enjoying the fresh air, accompanied by
a guard. Bryce had been unhappy about letting her near him, but she managed to
talk him down, assuring him that Jake had never once tried to harm her before.

“I’m so glad
you are well, Kyra,” Jake said earnestly, taking her hands in his. He dropped
them quickly at the look on Bryce’s face. “I was out of my mind for the first
two days, especially since they wouldn’t let me see you—but at least I
know you are in good hands, with the doctor and… him.” He passed another
cautious look to Bryce.

“It’s
alright, Jake,” Kyra assured him. “I know that you were just trying to do what
you saw as the right thing.”

He nodded.
“It’s been… interesting, living here these past few days, and getting to know these
people. I’m ashamed I ever thought the way that I have. I was wrong about them.”
He lowered his eyes.

Kyra patted
him on the arm. “When I first found my way here I was quite misled in my
feelings about them as well.  I was certain they would see me as nothing
more than a quick meal.” She tossed a grin at Bryce, who gave her an arch
stare. 

“I generally
prefer deer to human meat.”

Jake laughed,
his warmth shining through. “So… this is the man you’ve chosen, is it? And you
both are happy?”

Bryce gently placed
a possessive arm around Kyra’s shoulder, who quickly nodded. “We are. And I’m
even happier that I can still keep your friendship, Jake.”

They talked
for a bit about how the negotiations were going; how several of the other
elders had been blindfolded and taken to the village to help Jake hash out
terms—though unlike him, they were returned at the end of every day. He
said that after tomorrow he would be allowed to return to the farm.

“Oh, and
before I forget, Dr. Mason sent word to me that your aunt has made a full
recovery,” he told her with a broad smile. “She is wondering when the two of
you will come to visit.”

Kyra stood
for a moment in shock. “Is… is that really true?”

“It is.”

“Oh, that’s
wonderful!” She tossed her arms around Jake for a quick hug, and then spun
around to face Bryce. “Can we visit her, please? I was so worried about her,
Bryce. I was afraid she wasn’t going to make it.”

He smiled
down at her tenderly. “Of course we can. We will go see her tomorrow.”

They said
their goodbyes to Jake, and Bryce ushered Kyra back home, even though she
wasn’t at all tired. She didn’t have the heart to be angry with him for being
so over-protective—she was still filled with the afterglow of the mating,
and her spirits were further lifted after her conversation with Jake.

“You seem
much more relaxed,” Bryce commented once they were inside.

Kyra nodded.
“I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. At the beginning
of all this I was worrying so much about what I was going to have to give up no
matter what choice I made. But now, at the end, I’m able to keep my family, my
friends, and my mate. What more could I ask for?”

Bryce smiled
and pulled Kyra close. “It has turned out much better than I ever expected as
well.”

Kyra sighed
happily. “Miracles usually do.”