Ignite Ember Astound: Anchor for the Changed Book Three by Aisling Cousins

Author:Aisling Cousins [Cousins, Aisling]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Ember

Home.

I’m home.

The layout of the house, with its different levels and disconnected rooms, keeps me from hearing the guys. It’s so quiet. Too quiet after the events of the last two months. Which seems odd, since I now have the full scope of my bonds with Atticus, Klaus, and Zane. Externally, the world is too quiet. Internally, it’s loud and somewhat overwhelming. The adjustment to sensing their combined residual annoyance, frustration, and anger will take time. More time than the few hours that have passed since they found me.

A small part of me wishes they’d arrived sooner. That we could have destroyed Dom and the facility together. But I can’t shake the pride flowing over me when I think back on what happened.

I started as a damsel in distress. The woman in the stories who needs to be saved by the heroes. Except I became my own hero. This time. That’s something I can be proud of, even if I’m conflicted over the deaths my actions caused.

Chewing my lip, I walk over to the window, taking a moment to absorb the view, and let the winter breeze brush away the faces of EvoGen’s staff. Releasing a heavy sigh, I close my eyes briefly, accepting that I need to ask Helios about starting therapy. Not with him, though, which I’m sure he’ll hate, but I know myself enough that I won’t be comfortable discussing everything with him.

“Hey, you.” I turn at Aaron’s voice, and despite my exhaustion, a soft smile takes over my lips.

“Hi. Is everything okay?”

“With us?” he asks and nods. “Perfect. You’re home and you’re safe. The world is falling to shit, and my uncles and Skylar will probably have an aneurysm that we haven’t let them in to see you…” He shrugs one broad shoulder before stepping into the room. “Everything else in life can wait for another day. I have plans.” He stretches out a hand towards me.

My smile wavers as thoughts of the botched bonding ceremony surface along with Trex watching me shower every day. Aaron’s sharp gaze flicks to my lips, then to my eyes. His expression softens as he takes another step closer. “I’m not sure where you just went, but I would never pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to. Trust me?” The vulnerability behind the question doesn’t escape my notice.

“Always,” I murmur, sliding my hand into his much larger one. The contrast of our skin tones is like night eclipsing day in a protective shroud as he wraps his fingers around mine and leads me from the bedroom.

A light scent tickles my nose, and I inhale deeply, trying to identify the fragrance. Aaron guides me into the bathroom, and my free hand flies to my mouth as a gasp slips out.

“I don’t know all the details of these last two months—and I don’t want to know unless you want to share. I’m happy being a silent support, but I thought some pampering would be nice.” I can’t find words to answer him, so I simply nod, taking in the candlelit room and giant bubble bath.

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