“I know, Lil.” He held me tight, kissing my head softly. “I know and I’m sorry.” He rested his head on top of mine, rubbing my back as I bawled like the frightened child I was at that moment. “I never wanted you to see that. I’m so sorry.”
My breathing hiccupped, my chin wobbling uncontrollably, as I let out a keening cry, “I didn’t know what to do!”
“Shh.” He held me tighter. “You were perfect. You did exactly what I needed.” He was practically crushing me, which I needed, my body was quaking so badly. “It isn’t normally that bad, I promise. Only when I have longer, more powerful visions do they affect me like that.” I hugged him snugger while he continued soothing me. “It’s usually more of a headache, that’s all, Lil. I swear.” He cursed quietly, holding the back of my head. “God, I’m sorry you had to see that.”
Eventually my sobs quieted as he held me, and I sniffed hard, rubbing the back of my hand under my nose, half proud I didn’t use my shirt sleeve. I felt like half a child, lost in my worry for him, and half an adult, pissed he hadn’t informed me of his gift’s conditions. I tilted back, thumping his chest with my fist. “Don’t hide things like this from me. I don’t handle shit like this well.”
His lips lifted, his eyes tired. “It only proves you’re not made of stone.” When I growled a little, he murmured, “Alright, I won’t hide ‘shit like this’ whenever I can help it.”
My lips pinched as I wiped my cheeks. “I guess that’ll have to do.” I raised my right hand, thumb out. “If you really want to make me feel better, you’ll spell this ring so I can shift with it on.” Like the half child/half adult I was feeling right now, I knew when to bargain for what I wanted without questions being asked.
His eyebrows crept up, his gaze swinging to the ring, but he said nothing as he touched the ring, his finger glowing golden for a moment at the contact.
Presto, I had a shift-worthy wedding ring.
We both made our way downstairs, duffles over our shoulders. Everyone was downstairs waiting for us. Ezra tracked me with his eyes as I came to stand next to him, leaning against the wall and letting his heat and scent relax me further. His pinkie touched mine where our arms hung, and I instantly felt soothing calm transfuse my bones, my mind. I sighed in appreciation, resting my head back.
Antonio’s eyes scanned the room, taking in Lynn, Brenna, and Brann, then moving to Elder Zeller, who was again staring out the window, arms crossed. Antonio’s eyebrows furrowed, and he peered into another room before his gaze met mine. “Where’s Mrs Zeller?”
I froze, even with Ezra gifting me his power, because I didn’t think Antonio was talking about me.
“She’s dead,” Cahal stated factually, turning to face Antonio and placing his hands in his pockets.
Antonio’s gaze flew to Cahal. “What?”
Cahal studied Antonio in the silence, even the kids going quiet. “You never saw her death?”
I took my hand away from Ezra’s stiff one, taking a few steps forward. Instinct had me in protection mode, moving so my back was to Antonio, creating a barrier between him and Cahal. Even though Cahal had helped Antonio last night, he had done so while Antonio was defenseless. He wasn’t the type to fight someone who couldn’t defend themself. If he was going to fight for his mate, it would happen when a real brawl could occur.
I stayed still, waiting for Antonio’s answer, which would definitely be a deciding factor between Cahal attacking him or not by the way Cahal stood on the balls of his feet, even if his hands were harmlessly in his pockets. Ezra jerked from his statue position, obviously done working past his shock that Antonio might have known beforehand. He moved closer to his dad with his eyes steadfast on him, ready to take him down if he moved, a fight being not what we needed right now.
That was when Antonio placed a hand on my shoulder and fucking zapped me with a morsel of his magic. I yelped, grabbing my shoulder, and he shoved me aside, swiftly striding across the room to stand toe to toe with Cahal. His jaw was clenched, and he thrust his face into Cahal’s. “Are you seriously asking me this?”
Cahal’s face cracked, and furious, he shouted, “Goddamn it, Tony, tell me if you fucking knew!” He shoved Antonio’s shoulders even as Lynn quickly swiped up his kids, rushing them out back. Cahal’s chin trembled, his narrowed eyes darting back and forth between Antonio’s as he yelled, “Tell me, goddamn you!” He shoved Antonio again, still shouting. “After every damn thing we’ve been through, I would have expected a little fucking warning even if you hate me!” Another shove. “Did. You. Know?”