Awakening (The Magic of the Black Forest Book 2) by Macy Farmer Page A

realize you’re trying to protect me. I really wish you would tell me what’s going on.” I spun around to look him in the eye. As serious as I could be I said with dismay, “Don’t worry about picking up where we left off, there’s no need for that.” I hesitated just long enough for him to think I wasn’t interested at all.
    After a few seconds, I changed my facial expression to flirtatious and said, “I would prefer if we started from the beginning with exception to you making me wait so long. It’s not very gentlemen-like to make me beg.” I giggled as I leaned up to kiss his neck. He smiled and sighed with relief.
    “Natalia, you had me worried for a minute. I promise we will start from the beginning and I will be a total gentleman.”
    While I used magic to pack up our belongings, he explained why Dave was here. Apparently, his father and Anthony had heard about our wedding. They’ve been looking for us and making threats of bodily harm. When I asked if Dave could have been followed, Bradley replied, “Dave assured me, repeatedly, that he wasn’t followed. Don’t worry Natalia. Everything will be okay.” Supposedly, Cheryl led Anthony and his father on a wild goose chase out of the country.
    He added that Jess and Colleen were on their way, and once they arrived, we’d all head back to our house.
    Unfortunately, it won’t be long before they realize she’s been lying to them and return with vengeance. I asked Bradley why his father wanted to harm me. He said he wasn’t sure but he thinks it’s because I’m human. As for Anthony, he wants to hurt me to hurt Bradley. Regardless, the end result is to harm my beloved Bradley, and this can never happen. I would die, even commit murder, before I let that happen. A lifetime in prison would be a small price to pay compared to the alternative.
    Since I used magic, we were packed long before Jesse and Colleen arrived. While we waited, Dave asked about the house. Bradley explained that he still had a problem with the electricity upstairs. He asked if, after things calmed down, Dave could take a look at it. He also made a point to tease me for screaming in the night and waking him.
    “She woke you up from a trance? Did anyone get hurt?” Dave asked, his eyes cautiously skimmed over my body. Once he’d determined Bradley didn’t hurt me he joked, “What were you thinking about that put you into a trance?” He elbowed Bradley a few times then shook his hand as if to congratulate him.
    “Since the night of our wedding while she sleeps I…trance. It’s almost like I’m actually dreaming again. I can’t explain it. The first night I was so deep in thought I didn’t even realize she had got out of the bed.” He leaned down and tenderly caressed my cheeks with the back of his hand. “When I heard her scream, what little blood I have in my veins turned ice cold. Both panic and anxiety flooded my emotions when I realized she wasn’t next to me. I literally fell out of bed and even ran into a wall before I truly realized what was going on. If I could have, I would have had a heart attack that night.
    “Since that night, when she scared the shit out of me, I go into a light trance afterwards…I can feel and hear all my surroundings especially when it comes to her. I can hear her heartbeat loud and clear.” He paused for a moment his expression thoughtful. “I’ve never experienced anything like it before.” He took my hand in his and smiled at me.
    “I’m sorry, my love. I guess I did overreact a bit.” My cheeks warmed, revealing my embarrassment to both men.
    Bradley ran his finger across the side of my face down to the base of my neck, “No need to apologize. It’s my job to protect you. You are my life.”
    Seemingly confused, Dave asked, “Before your wedding night, you’ve never been in a trance before?”
    Bradley narrowed his eyes, “No.”
    “Have you?” Even though I have no clue as to what they’re talking about I had to ask.