Darkest Wolf(8)

“I have some questions.”

She had assumed he would. The real decision would come in how she chose to tell him and how much she held back. At the moment, however, even if she could fix her head a bit with magic, she would still be dependent on his good graces. For a while, at least. “Go ahead.”

“First.” He waved his hand. “Do your magic thing.”

“My magic thing?”

“Elizabeth, have you become a parrot? Fix yourself.”

“I’m only going to be able to make this moderately better.”

“Fine.” He nodded. “You’re a bad witch. I get it. Do your thing. Now.”

“I’m a lousy witch now; I didn’t used to be so powerless.” Rex stood up and walked away from her. “Listen to my words very carefully, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. All I want in the universe, at the moment, is for you to do whatever it is you kicked me to tell me you could do. Are you capable of performing the task or not?”

“I am.” But if she’d been in any condition better than one she was in she would keep annoying him just for the fun of seeing him get so worked up. It had been a long time since she’d had this much control over her own life. It was too bad her head hurt and she couldn’t enjoy it. She closed her eyes.

“Elizabeth.” Rex’s voice pushed at her like an explosion going off.

Opening one eyelid, she glared at him. “What?”

“You closed your eyes. I thought you were passing out.” Lifting the other eyelid, she shaded her eyes from the brutal light of the moon.

Really, when had the night ever been so bright? “You thought yelling at me was the appropriate way to get me to stop passing out?” Liz shook her head. He was a character; she’d give him credit for being different. If they both managed to live through this time she would certainly never forget him. “I wasn’t going to faint. I have to close my eyes to do this type of spell. If I’m not centered, there is no way this is going to work.” There was slim to little chance it would work even if she managed to connect to nature properly. The powers controlling these things had long since stopped letting her tap into their eternal spirit.

“Then, by all means, center yourself so we can keep moving. I don’t wish to be caught unawares by your witches again.”

There was no doubt Rex was one of the Royal Kanes. He gave permission like he was used to doing it on a regular basis. She had news for him, she was going to center herself whether he liked it or not.

And the witches… Well, she didn’t want to dwell on them. They might have zapped their powers nearly destroying the car but they wouldn’t be gone for long, and if she didn’t find a way to handle them—and this situation—soon, she was terrified they would call their mother. If they did, she didn’t want to imagine what would happen to her own family.

She forced those thoughts from her mind. No way could she do this if she let the stress get to her. For years now she hadn’t been able to keep her mind where it needed to be. What made her think she could do it now?

“Elizabeth?”

She opened her eyes, wishing she could be angry with Rex for interrupting but knowing she hadn’t really been able to focus anyway. “Yes?”

“I can feel your mind isn’t where it should be.” He walked toward her. “My wolf is prowling around inside wanting to help you.”

“Your wolf.” She tried to get used to the thought. There was a wolf inside of Rex who was and was not the same entity as Rex. It blew her mind. “Wants to help me?

Why?”

“He loves you. You’re our mate. He’s very attached to you already.” She swallowed. “And you?”

“I’d like to help you too. If I can.”

He hadn’t answered her question, and she supposed she should be glad he hadn’t.

“You can’t help me, Rex.”

“Wrong, witch.” He bent over until he was so close she could feel his breath on her face. Elizabeth’s mind went blank. What was he doing? “I can.” His mouth came down on hers.



Chapter Three

Rex shuddered under the feel of Elizabeth’s soft lips pressed against his. He’d meant to jar her with the kiss, to give her some of his own strength to aid in whatever crazy witch thing she had to do. He hadn’t expected to nearly melt into a puddle of ridiculous lovesick wolf at her feet.

Before he couldn’t do it anymore, he ripped his mouth from hers and took two steps backwards. “Get it done or I’m putting you over my shoulder and dragging you to the hospital. I suspect we’re running out of time here.” Elizabeth stared at him with huge blue-gray eyes. Her hand reached up to touch her lips in a way which made him question whether she was aware she’d done it at all. “Elizabeth?” Gods, the woman had been seriously injured. He had no business listening to her nonsense about fixing herself.