“I thought witches didn’t like to share info.”

“They don’t. Well, not with apprentices, I guess. They don’t mind talking to other trained witches if you don’t mind sifting through all the trolling comments and sniping at each other.”

Winter reached around him and placed his palm over the mouse. He carefully moved the cursor up to the navigation window and hit the back arrow. Fox flinched and huddled in on himself as he waited for Winter to hit the main search screen.”

“How to remove a witch’s magic,” Winter read aloud. The silence that followed was heavy, and Fox couldn’t bring himself to look up at the vampire. “Fox, what are you doing?” Winter finally asked in a harsh whisper.

“The right thing,” Fox replied, trying to put as much steel in his voice as possible.

“How could this be the right thing? Being a witch, being able to do magic is the most important thing in the world to you. I would never ask that of you.”

Fox launched himself out of his seat and paced away from Winter, anything to protect himself from those sweet words. “No, the most important thing in the world to me is you. And if Damon and that stupid prophecy are right, I’m going to hurt you with my magic. It’s the only thing that’s left. I can’t…I can’t do that. I’d never be able to live with myself.” Fox’s voice broke, or maybe that was the remains of his heart. He didn’t want to give up his magic, but he’d give up everything to protect Winter. “I’d rather lose my magic and give up the only thing about me that’s worthwhile than hurt you and your family.”

Winter shook his head, deep lines digging into his brow as he glared at Fox. “Don’t say that. Don’t ever say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

Winter closed the distance between them, grabbing his arms tightly. “You’ve not heard a word I’ve said the past few days. Your magic is not the only thing that makes you valuable. You are an amazing, wonderful person. You make me laugh. You make me feel like there’s more to me than just killing and death. You are strong and brave without ever casting a single spell. You risked your life for me in that vampire’s house. You had no idea if I was in there to protect you or not, but you did it anyway.”

“I trusted you. Believed in you.”

“And I can do anything because you believe in me.” Winter leaned close and brushed away Fox’s tears with his lips. “I’m dreading the day we finally take care of Damon,” Winter whispered roughly.

Fox jerked away enough to look up into Winter’s eyes. “What?”

“Because then you’ll be free to leave me. And even if all the ghosts come rushing back, I know my life is going to feel empty without you.”

Lunging at Winter, Fox tightly wrapped his arms around Winter’s neck. “I don’t want to leave you, but I don’t want to hurt you. If I give up my magic—”

“Not an option,” Winter interrupted, tightening his arms around Fox’s waist until he swore he felt ribs nearly crack. “I like you exactly how you are. I don’t want you to change anything. When this is over, I want to find a witch and fucking force her to teach you to use your magic. I know you’ll be the best witch ever because I believe in you, and it’s what you want.”

Fox’s heart swelled under Winter’s fierce words. He’d been sure the thing would never be put together again, but Winter wasn’t only picking up the pieces. He was gluing them back together with his fierce devotion.

“Please don’t let me hurt you. Don’t want to hurt your family,” he pleaded. He didn’t know what was right anymore.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Then trust me when I say that you won’t hurt me. I know it.”

Fox could only nod his head. If he spoke, more sobs and other words he wasn’t quite ready to say would all come spilling out. He wasn’t going anywhere. So long as Winter wanted him, he was staying right in his arms.

“Will you come to bed with me? You’ve scared the shit out of me, and I need to hold you for a little while,” Winter murmured against his hair.

“Yes, please.”

Fox loosened his hold on Winter enough to let the vampire take his hand and lead him up the stairs. Once in the room again, Winter kissed him as he took off his clothes and put him in bed. They made love slowly this time. Winter kept him balanced on the edge, his skin covered in sweat and trembling, before letting him find release. Sated and sleepy, Fox smiled as Winter cleaned him up and tucked him beside Winter’s body.

As he drifted off, he clung to the thought that Winter believed in him, cared for him with or without his magic. That was enough. They’d find their answers together.

Tags: Jocelynn Drake Lords of Discord Paranormal
Source: readsnovelonline.net