Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(57)

“No … Well, he might have been if she ever had the chance to tell him. Between her thirst for his blood and her overwhelming desire for him, she couldn’t control herself.” Caden looked down at his hands. “She killed him. Drained him of every last drop of blood.”

I gasped. “Poor Amelie!”

Caden barked laughter, shaking his head at me. “Poor Amelie? What about poor wanker?” He sighed, stopping in front of me. “Amelie lives with that guilt every day, as strong now as it was seven hundred years ago. I couldn’t live with myself if I did that to you.” His fingertip brushed my cheek, raw pain momentarily flashing in his eyes.

I swallowed and—I don’t know where the bravery came from—timidly moved my fingertips up to touch his, where they rested on my cheek. Or tried to, anyway. My hand was trembling enough to mimic a Parkinson’s patient.

He abruptly grabbed my hand, panic marring his gorgeous features. “Oh God! You’re freezing! Why didn’t you say anything?”

I was freezing, I realized—but that wasn’t why I was trembling. Either way, I wasn’t going to admit it.

“Let’s go.” He tugged me after him, his jaw taut.

“Go” meant jumping through the waterfall again, something I didn’t exactly enjoy, but I was easily mollified by burying my face in Caden’s chest again. Once through, he swung me up into his arms with ease, cradling me like a small child. “There’s another way,” he murmured and began running down an unseen tunnel—completely dark—at warp speed.

It took only minutes to get back to the others, but my teeth were chattering uncontrollably by the time we arrived. Caden leapt into the natural hot tub where we had started, me still snug in his arms. At first the shock of the heat felt like a million tiny prickles against my skin, and I winced with the sting. When I saw Caden’s pained expression, though, I fought hard to smooth my face.

Caden refused to let go, holding me tightly as he apologized repeatedly, “I didn’t realize how cold the air was for you. I forgot about—I’m an idiot!”

“It’s ok–k–kay, I’m warming up–p now,” I said between chattering teeth, trying to ease his conscience.

“No, it’s not okay! You’re stiff as a board!” he exclaimed.

A burst of laughter escaped before I sucked it in. It was the feel of his bare, muscular abs against my ribcage and something else against my hip that was preventing my body from relaxing.

“I should have known better,” he continued. “It’s bad enough that you have to worry about being attacked by vampires, now you may die of hypothermia.” His hand furiously rubbed his brow.

“Thanks for showing me th–the Merth. It’s b–beautiful, even though it’s d–dangerous to you,” I continued, attempting to distract him.

He heaved a huge sigh, then frowned at me. “You’re allowed to get angry.”

“It won’t accomplish anything,” I answered, smiling at him. “B–besides, it was fun.” I averted my gaze shyly.

“Which part, being pulled down a pitch black, underwater rabbit hole, or being pummeled by a waterfall?” he retorted sarcastically.

The truth was, I had already forgotten about those minor distractions; my mind still reeled from the feel of his body against my back as he pulled me through the murky abyss and his strong arms as they held me tightly, protecting me. I wasn’t about to tell him that, though. “All of it,” I answered instead.

He muttered something incoherent, rolled his eyes, and shook his head at me.

My rigid muscles finally started to unlock.

“Good God, Caden. Her lips are blue!” Amelie had stealthily swum up. Her normally raspy voice sounded condemning, and she glared at her brother in disapproval.

I defended him. “It’s okay! I’m fine.”

Amelie rolled doubtful eyes. “Did he show you the Merth, at least?”

I nodded, another surge of guilt souring my stomach at the thought that I was keeping my secret from her when she was so willing to share theirs.

“Cool, huh?” Amelie threw a mysterious glance at Caden, then dove under the water and swam away.

I sighed, wishing I could read them like Sofie could read me. My teeth had finally stopped chattering, but my fingertips, when I reached up to scratch my nose, were shriveled. “I need to get out.” I held my wrinkly hand up in front of Caden’s face, scrunching my nose in disgust.

“Wait right here.”

Caden’s arms slid out from around me. I watched his chiseled body as he leapt out of the water and disappeared down the tunnel. He returned thirty seconds later with the plush red blanket under one arm and several large chunks of wood tucked under the other. He had a vibrant fire blazing in seconds. Hoisting me out of the water, he wrapped me in the blanket and led me over to sit next to the flames. He slid in directly behind me, his legs stretched out on either side, and began rubbing my arms and back.

Although I didn’t mind the doting, I knew I was taking advantage of his unwarranted guilt. “Thanks. I’m good now.” He ignored me, continuing to half dry, half warm me. “Really. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

“We should change those bandages on your hand, too,” he murmured.

“Oh, to be invisible …” I mused sarcastically.