137 Holding on to you (2/2)

Ry nodded. ”I understand.” He didn't take his eyes off the fire. ”I feared as much when I called you in Florida.”

Arei's eyes shot to Ry. ”Then why call me?”

Ry shrugged not meeting his gaze. ”You were closest... and I thought better you than the vampire prick... better you than Russ...” He finally met his brother's gaze. ”I'm sorry for that. I didn't realize until seeing them together here just how in love with him she is.”

Arei frowned. ”But do you think the boy is equally in love with her or is it just the glamour of the curse. I know he says he loves her for her but in all honesty, it could still all just be the curse. You didn't see the vampire with her. He acted much the same way. Her charms lure them in and blind men with love. They go insane with it. The vampire was definitely under the lure. He showed the unwavering love, the bouts of anger and jealousy... And he was much older than the kid and from a strong fae background apparently.”

Ry shrugged. ”I don't know. There will be only one way to know for sure and that is to get Calypso involved. Have her vouch for Jos at the hearings and promise to lift the curse.”

”Calypso is not doing any of that for free, and you know it. So, what's your plan for getting her to agree?” Arei asked.

Ry shrugged. ”Offer myself if I must.”

Arei's eyes widened. ”You wouldn't. That would be insane, she's insane!”

Ry shrugged, ”I've always favored Jos as a daughter, this way she would be. With the curse lifted, she would be free to live... to love...” His eyes moved from the bed to meet Arei's. ”I owe her that much. I hold equal, if not more, blame in what happened to her as you. I could have told her the truth at any point. I should have told her the truth the day she'd professed her feelings for me... for you... Had I sat her down and explained it all to her even after that day, she would have likely come around almost immediately. According to the fairy, the biggest blow either of us gave her was not coming back... not fighting harder to stay in her life.”

”Arei frowned, ”I feared if I pushed her harder, she'd lose control and do something to lose her much deserved freedom... Had I known by leaving she'd not only loose her freedom, but be punished the rest of her life for it...” His words broke. ”I should have never left...” His head drooped to his hands. He ran them over his face and through his hair. ”I worry this relationship with the kid will end no better...”

Ry nodded as he stood. Resting a hand on his brother's shoulder, he said. ”That won't happen. We will be here to guide her, to guide the kid.”

Arei looked up from his hands, holding his brother's gaze. ”Not if you sacrifice yourself to Calypso.”

Ry patted his shoulder, ”Let's hope it doesn't come to that.” He nodded to Shelly whose ears had been perked upright listening to the whole conversation. ”Are you coming or staying?” He called over to her.

The wolf glanced back and forth between Arei and Ry. She whimpered as her attention turned back to Jos.

Arei nodded, ”It's fine she can stay in here.” He smiled pushing up from the arm of the chair. ”As much fun as it would be to have two beautiful women in my bed at once, I'm simply too tired...” He winked over to Shelly.

Ry laughed, shaking his head. ”Sleep well then.” He threw his hand up in a wave as he walked out the door.

Arei watched his brothers departing back and the close of the door before turning to the bed. ”Sleep where ever you like, just know I'm sleeping here too.” He watched as she stood and walked to the foot of the bed sitting patiently. He arched a brow. ”Giving me first pick?” He gave a joking bow. ”How kind princess.” He lifted the covers and slid in beside Jos leaving plenty of room for the wolf. ”Where ever you'd like.” He said. He watched as she glanced around then made her way to the farthest end of the foot of the bed. ”You have to be joking, right?” He leaned over Jos's other side and lifted the blankets. ”You're not a damn common house pet. Get your furry ass up here and sleep like a normal person.” He caught himself. ”In wolf form of course.” He corrected.

She rolled her eyes but did as he said. She laid her head on the free pillow to Jos's side and waited for Arei to lower the covers. He patted her head, then kissed Jos on the head. ”Sleep well, both of you.” He turned and laid flat on his back. Staring up at the ceiling for the longest time. ”Do you think your brother and Jos are good together?” He asked. Movement to his side caught his attention. He turned his head to see her. The wolf was shaking her head 'no', a sadness radiating from her beautiful blue eyes. ”Which are you more afraid will get hurt?” He asked. His heart dropped when the wolf nudged Jos with the tip of her nose. He nodded. ”What a mess...” He sighed and didn't say anything else. He watched the flicker of the flames and let them lull him off to a restless sleep as visions of earlier kept flashing through his mind. A few times, the wolf's own whimpers would wake him. He would turn toward Jos and stretch his long arm over her to pet the wolf's head until the whimpering faded, and the wolf was able to drift back off to a more restful sleep. On one of the last times of soothing strokes to the wolf's head, he'd unconsciously left his arm wrapped around Jos.

What a shock the sight must have been for the figure standing in the doorway a little past day break that morning.