Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 188

Where The lee Gives Way

Chapter 188 How To Mend A Broken Heart

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I lie with Emily for a long time. I’m not sure how long. The fire burns low, snow taps against the window, and the whole cabin settles into this quiet little

pocket around us. Emily stays tucked against my chest with one hand curled into my hoodie, her breathing uneven for a while before it finally starts to

smooth out. I keep my arm around her back and my cheek against her hair, breathing in sunflowers and holding still even when my body aches from not

moving. I don’t care. I would stay exactly like this until my bones fused into the mattress if it meant she kept breathing easier.

sif.

Yelen is quieter now, too. Still furious under the surface, still pacing at the edges of me with his teeth bared toward Munroe, but softer where Emily is

concerned. He keeps pushing warmth toward her, pressing close inside my skin as if that will somehow make it through to Sasha, too. Maybe it does. Emily’s

fingers loosen slowly in my hoodie, and her forehead shifts against my collarbone. She doesn’t pull away, though, so I don’t either. Eventually, the fire pops

low enough that I know I have to move.

“I’m just going to put another log on,” I murmur into her hair. “Not going far.”

Her hand tightens for one small second before she lets go, and that one second nearly takes me out.

I move slowly, rolling away from her and keeping one hand near the blanket until the last moment. She stays curled on her side, eyes half open, watching

me as I cross to the little stove. I crouch in front of it and open the door carefully, heat rushing over my face as I add more kindling and another log. The

flames catch after a minute, licking up the dry wood, and the room warms again with that soft orange flicker. When I turn back, Emily is still watching me. I

try to smile. “Look at that. I’m basically a Boy Scout now.”

Her mouth moves faintly. It isn’t a smile yet, but I’ll keep trying until I get one.

I order food from the restaurant attached to the cabin office, asking for more than either of us could eat because Yelen is convinced she is starving to death,

and I am not mentally strong enough to argue with him right now.

While we wait, I grab the remote from the little table and climb back onto the bed. I settle around her again, one arm behind her head, the other over her

waist, while the fire crackles and Mate Island loads on the screen.

“Okay,” I say, keeping my voice soft, “we are at a very important part of the season. Brayden has just told three different women he feels a deep connection

with them, which is impressive because I don’t think Brayden has ever had a deep connection with a thought.”

Emily lets out a tiny breath through her nose as a Brayen with too much oil on his chest leans against a pool fence and tells a blonde woman that he is just

trying to follow his heart, while a brunette watches from behind a decorative plant.

Emily’s eyebrows pinch together. “Is he serious?”

“Deadly. This man has about three lines that he rotates through with all of them.”

A rusty laugh slips out of her, and Yelen collapses dramatically in my chest as if we have just won a war.

Our mate laughed. We are victorious. Bring her cake.

I keep my face straight by some miracle. “The brunette is Talia. She deserves better, but unfortunately, her taste in men is currently in critical condition.”

Emily’s mouth curves a little more. “That’s sad for her.”

“It is. We’re all praying for her recovery.”

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12:30 pm PTNM

Chapter 188 How To Mend A Broken Heart

The food arrives not long after, and I have to leave her again to answer the door. I probably move too fast, grabbing the bags from the delivery guy, shutting

the door, and carrying everything to the small table. Emily slowly pushes herself up against the pillows.

“You ordered a lot,” she says.

“Couldn’t decide.”

She looks at the spread as I unpack it, “There are only two of us.”

“Yeah, but one of us is emotionally unstable around menus.”

That gets me another almost–laugh, and I’m starting to think I might be doing an okay job at caring for my mate. I wonder if she thinks so too…

I keep Mate Island playing while we eat, and some colour slowly returns to her cheeks. She scoffs at the screen when Brayden starts crying beside the pool.

“He is only crying because he got caught,” she says.

Then Blake’s voice pushes through my mind. Marcus is restrained. We’re coming to stay near you guys, just in case Thomas tries anything.

My jaw tightens as reality comes crashing back down. Okay. Yeah, that sounds good.

I keep my eyes on Emily as she takes her chips to the bed and curls against the pillows.

How’s she doing now? Blake asks.

Yeah, I send back. A little better. Still not a great situation, though.

I know, Blake says. Charlotte’s probably going to want to come and check in with her tonight when we get there.

The corner of my mouth lifts despite everything. Charlotte would probably storm through a blizzard wearing slippers if she thought Emily needed her.

Okay. I’ll let Em know. Thanks, man.

The link settles, and Emily’s hand pauses halfway to the bowl, her eyes flicking to me.

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