Chapter 206

Tessa’s POV

The look Joseph gave me was answer enough.

I stepped away from him as he narrowed his eyes at me. There was a mix of annoyance and dread that crossed his face, and it made my stomach clench.

“Look… Tess—” he began to say, but I turned away from him, feeling the regret fill my chest.

“Just forget I said anything,” I murmured as I walked toward the fire.

“No, I’m not going to forget about this,” Joseph argued from behind me. “We should talk…”

“We can save it for later,” I told him. “For now, we should enjoy the party.”

I tried to offer him a smile, but I knew he could read the hurt on my face. I saw the struggle lingering in his eyes and I knew there was a ton he wanted to say. But he sighed and then nodded, walking with me to the large bonfire that burned in the center of the beach.

There were a bunch of other vampires around the fire, talking with one another and sharing some laughs.

I noticed, across the way, Carter standing with his arms folded across his chest and his eyes were fixated on the fire. His expression was hard to read; his lips were pressed in a thin line, and he seemed to be pale.

Nathan was standing beside him and talking, but Carter didn’t seem to be listening.

It was like he was a whole other world away and I wondered what was wrong.

“Hey,” I said approaching Carter with Joseph trailing behind me. “Are you okay?”

Carter looked surprised by my presence, but he nodded, giving me a faint smile.

“Just a lot on my mind,” he admitted. “I’m fine.”

I looked at him with sincerity and worry in my eyes.

“Is it your warrior? Did you get him the antidote on time?”

Carter’s eyes widened and his cheeks reddened as Nathan’s brows shot up to his hairline.

“Antidote for what?” Nathan asked.

Suddenly, I realized that I probably shouldn’t have said anything.

“Oh…uh…” I stammered.

He turned to face Carter with his hands on his hips.

“What the hell did you do?” Nathan asked, there was a mix of worry and amusement in his tone.

“I didn’t do anything,” Carter complained, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “It was Alex.”

Natah’s brows knitted together.

“The new warrior?” That question came from Joseph who stepped closer to my side. His eyes were burning holes in Carter’s face.

Carter sighed and he glanced at his feet.

“He might have eaten a poisonous plant,” Carter murmured.

“Aren’t you supposed to train them to know how to spot poisonous plants?” Nathan asked, shaking his head.

Carter opened his mouth to explain further but another voice stopped him.

“What’s going on?” Bernard asked, approaching us. “You guys look a bit hostile.”

“Carter was just telling us how his warriors aren’t trained to spot poisonous plates,” Nathan snorted.

“They are trained,” Carter promised, sounding defensive. “Alex wasn’t thinking. He’s young and stupid.”

“And poorly trained,” Nathan added with a sly smile.

“But he’s okay?” Joseph asked. “You got him the antidote on time?”

“Yes,” Carter answered. “He’s fine. He’s resting and should be back on his feet tomorrow.”

Bernard furrowed his brows together.

“Someone ate a poisonous plant?” Bernard asked. “And you didn’t report it to me? Who was it?”

“It wasn’t a big deal…” Carter muttered. “I got the antidote and he’s fine. It was the new warrior, Alex.”

“Where exactly did you get this antidote?” Bernard proceeded to ask.

“Esmeralda’s Glitter,” Carter sighed.

“Seriously?” Nathanial laughed. “You went to see that crazy bitch.”

“She didn’t seem that bad when we went,” I blurted with a shrug. “She was a bit intense, but she gave him the antidote.”

“Tessa went with you?!” Bernard asked, glaring at Carter.

I was digging quite a hole for Carter. I should have just kept my mouth shut.

“Yes,” Carter muttered. “She went with me.”

“What were you thinking taking her there?” Bernard said through his teeth. “Witches are not to be messed with.”

“I wasn’t messing with her,” Carter said through his own teeth. I could tell he was getting angry too and I was starting to get enough. “I had no other choice. She’s the only one who could get me the antidote and I figured bringing Tessa would make her more inclined to agree.”

“Look, I’m trusting you to keep my warriors alive. I need to be informed when the members of my tribe are hurt or ill. Understood?” Bernard said, pressing his lips in a thin line and staring at Carter with such disappointment in his eyes that it made me flinch.

This was my fault; I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth. I didn’t think it would cause such issues for everybody.

“Yes,” Carter answered. “I’m truly sorry for keeping it from you. It won’t happen again.”

“Okay!” Anna said, rushing toward the gentlemen. “How about we just enjoy the party and eat some food?”

I knew she was trying to lighten the situation, but the damage had already been done.

Joseph was stepping in front of me now, protectively.

“I can’t believe you took Tessa to that witch,” Joseph said through his teeth. “What were you thinking? It’s not safe.”

“He needed the antidote,” I told him, placing my hand on his back. “That warrior would have died otherwise. I’m glad I went with him.”

“Esmeralda isn’t known for her generosity and kindness. There’s always a price for her helping us. She’s not someone to get mixed up with, especially a young and new witch. I don’t trust her,

“I get it!” I said with exasperation in my tone. “You don’t need to worry about it anymore. I’m not going back to talk to her.”

As I ran my fingers up and down his back, his body visibly relaxed and he even took a step away from Carter.

“She was never in any danger, Joseph. I wouldn’t have done that,” Carter assured him. “If anything happened, I would have been there to protect her. But Esme wasn’t going to try anything in her shop with potential witnesses.”

“How about we take a breather,” Anna tried again to change the subject and lighten the mood.

Before anyone could say anything, I turned back to Joseph.

“Do you mind if I head back to your house?” I asked, trying to keep my tone low.

He looked down at me and I saw the concern in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

I nodded, giving him a small smile.

“It’s just been a long day and I’m exhausted,” I admitted.

He bent down and brushed his lips across mine.

“Yeah; I can walk you back. But then I’m going to come back because I feel our conversation with Carter isn’t over,” Joseph said, giving Bernard a side-eye.

“I can walk there myself. It’s not that far and I could use some time to clear my head.”

His frown deepened.

“I don’t want you to walk around here alone…”

“Joseph…” I complained, pouting up at him. “I’ll be fine. It’s not that far. I promise I can manage myself.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but Bernard’s raised voice stopped him.

“Where do you think you’re going, Carter? We aren’t done here,” Bernard growled, following Carter’s retreating body.

Joseph looked as if he wanted to chase after them.

“Go,” I said, nodding my head in their direction. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, meeting my eyes.

I stood on my toes and kissed him lovingly.

“I’ll be fine,” I whispered.

He sighed and then nodded.

“I love you,” he said, kissing me one last time.

I watched as he turned and chased after Bernard and Carter.

I made sure to thank Anna for the party before I left the beach. I didn’t say anything to anyone else. I followed the trail we used to get to the beach and made my way back to the village grounds.

When I got back to the house, I went into the bedroom and grabbed my pajamas before heading into the bathroom. My mind was foggy, but it was nothing a hot shower couldn’t fix.

As the hot water hit my skin, I felt a blanket of warmth cascading around my body. I closed my eyes, breathing in the warm steam and allowing it to relax every single one of my bones.

After I washed myself, I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. My hair dripped water onto the ground as I made my way toward the foggy mirror.

I could hardly see myself in the reflection through all the steam, but I could see enough. I was aging fast.

I swallowed the lump in my throat just as I heard a small knock on the bathroom door.

“What is it?” I said through the door, proud that my voice didn’t crack as tears formed in my eyes.

“It’s me. Can we talk?” Joseph asked, his voice sounding a bit strained.

I sighed and unlocked the door, not bothering to open it as I turned around and continued to face the mirror. After a few seconds, the knob turned, and the door was solely opening. Joseph stood at the doorway, looking a bit sheepish.

But when his eyes landed on the towel I was wearing, they widened in shock.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize you’d be…” his voice trailed off as he continued to take me in.

I blushed as I glanced up at him, still keeping my body turned away.

“Naked?” I asked, raising my brows. “I just got out of the shower. Hence why I’m in the bathroom.”

I meant it as a playful jester, but I also recognized that it came out a bit harsh, so I offered him an apologetic smile.

“Did you catch up with Carter? Is he okay?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Oh, yeah. He’s fine. He and Bernard are going to see Alex so Carter can prove that he’s fine,” Joseph said, shaking his head. “I decided to come back so we can talk.”

I nodded, pleased to see him.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he surprised me by suddenly saying. “I just didn’t like the idea of him taking you to that woman. Even if it was harmless; I don’t trust her. But I also know you can make your own decisions.”

I just shrugged.

“I know you are only trying to protect me, and I appreciate it,” I told him. “I’m not sure what this war between vampires and witches is. But I hope I don’t have to choose sides.”

“No,” Joseph said, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on my shoulder.

I closed my eyes; taking in his warmth, his inviting scent, and the way he felt against me. He was incredible and I couldn’t get enough of him. Only one touch melts me and makes my legs weak.

“You won’t have to choose sides,” he assured me in a whisper. “I’ll do whatever I can to keep you safe. For the rest of your life.”

“It could be the rest of eternity if you just make me a bloodslave,” I said, with a bit of humor in my tone, but I was also very serious. Our conversation about it from earlier was unresolved and I felt a little empty since then.

Joseph dropped his arms from me and straightened himself out.

“Can you just stop talking about that,” Joseph asked, his tone dropping low and almost annoyed. The change of tone startled me, so I turned to face him, wanting him to meet my eyes.

He did.

I folded my arms across my chest.

“Why?” I found myself asking. “Why can’t you just make me a bloodslave? I want to spend eternity with you, Joseph. I love you and—”

“The answer is no, Tessa,” he said firmly. “I don’t want to, and I don’t need you. So, drop it.”