Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 77 - Mending

Jadea

Once all of my daily tasks were complete, Caden kissed my forehead and took his leave. Allowing me to have some time alone, with the knowledge if I did anything to harm myself in his absence, I would be punished to the fullest extent of my boundaries. With that in mind, I settled onto the floor at the foot of the bed and closed my eyes, reflecting inward. It didn't take long to fall into myself and connect with her. She was feeling better. Stronger. Though, until we could hunt and re-seal our bond, we wouldn't be at our strongest.

I stayed connected with her for most of the day, enjoying her presence within my mind and soul. We'd been deprived of each other for so long, I was afraid of letting her go. Afraid she would slip back into the void where I couldn't reach her.

By late afternoon, I returned to the present. Before rejoining everyone, I brushed Ty's mind, wanting to let him know I would be joining Jupiter tomorrow. "Hey sis," Ty greeted warmly. "How are you?"

Based on his tone, Adam told him what happened. His voice sounded strained. Wary. "Better." I didn't wait. I delved into what Lance told me about a trigger, and he was on board with me drinking from him and a few others who were close to me to see if any of them could break this spell on me. "It's worth a shot."

That's how I felt about it. "How is he?"

"Still meditating."

He'd been meditating for over twelve hours. I was glad to see he was taking his time seriously. Relief washed through me and put my mind at ease. "I'm going to have Jupiter teleport us to the training meadow tomorrow."

"I understand. I'll make sure Aidan and Anika are with Nonna before you come."

"I appreciate it."

"We will see you tomorrow." With one last mental hug, he withdrew from my mind.

I sat in the darkened room, contemplating reaching out to Adam. Not allowing myself to dwell, I did it. Following our bond, I brushed Adam's mind. We both had time to calm down and think things through.

Adam's mind eagerly embraced mine, tendrils of uncertainty still clinging to his mind. He'd been afraid he lost me. That I would have gone to the extreme and demanded our bond be nullified.

I didn't want to admit how close he had been to losing me.

"Hi," he greeted tentatively. Hope clinging to him like a second skin.

"Hi," I responded with a small smile. "How are you?"

"Terrible. But, I'll live," he assured. "You?"

"I'm not a raging ball of fire anymore," I admitted with a teasing edge.

His chuckle eased some of the tension. "We are sorry for what happened, and we understand what we did was born from our own fears. It was wrong. We will do better to ensure it doesn't happen again."

For some reason, his sincere apology made tears sting in my eyes. "Thank you. And... I forgive you."

"But...?" He heard the hesitation.

"It's going to take some time before I can fully trust you again." I realized why I was having such a hard time with this. Everything Silas said about Adam flared and came into sharp repose after what happened.

"I understand, baby girl," he soothed, seeing everything laid out in my mind's eye.

"How are the kiddos?" I asked, changing the subject.

He allowed it. "Upset because I've been isolating all day. But, it's better this way with how ... Irritable I was feeling."

"Do you feel any better now?"

"A little," he admitted, allowing his vulnerability to show through, knowing it would get him further than if he kept me at arms length. "But, I'm still upset because of the forced distance, even though I understand why it was necessary."

It just didn't make it any easier. I felt that. And had felt that way last night. "I'll be coming with Jupiter tomorrow."

"Why?"

I explained Lance's theory once more, and that got Adam thinking too. I could fairly feel the cogs working within his mind as he mulled over the information. "Did he say it had to be fresh from the source?"

"He didn't go into detail. But, I don't know how much is known about this kind of spell since it is not a common practice. Why?" I couldn't quite get a read on his mind.

"No particular reason."

Deciding to trust him, I let it go, knowing he would eventually say something when he was ready.

"When are you planning to come tomorrow?"

"Mid to late afternoon. Depending on schedules."

He wasn't happy about having such a loose timeframe. "Have Caden do the last scene with you this evening or tomorrow morning."

This request surprised me. "Without you?"

"I figured..."

Sighing heavily, I replied, "As much as it hurt—and tested my trust in you—I still want you to be here and lead the scenes. It's not that I don't trust you at all. It's more..."

"Trust during intimacy," he finished.

"Yes."

"I will leave it up to you then, baby girl. Why don't you connect with Caden as well and tell us about your last month?" That way, regardless, I was ready for the next scene if and when the opportunity arose. I did and related the last month to them both. I was glad we were almost done with this part of my healing journey.

"An idea. If you want to move forward with the scene, but want me present, I can always be connected with you and Caden during the scene." That was a thought, I mused. After dinner and mingling with the others, I would speak with Caden and determine how we wanted to move forward. "Go enjoy your time with Lance, sweetheart," he encouraged.

"And you make sure to give those crazy kids an extra hug from me."

"Jadea?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want to see them tomorrow?"

Did I? Absolutely. But... "When I see them, I don't want to have to immediately leave them."

"Understood baby. Love you."

"Love you too."