Page 514 of Once Upon a Fable

“I’m so lost.” Gem gave up, lying back on her side and hugging her pillow. “Explain it to me in the morning.”

Rolling onto my side, I pushed Fang down the bed a little so I could spoon Gem from behind. The dog fit perfectly by our legs, letting out a little huff as if to say he approved of this position.

“I’ll explain it now, so you know you never have to fear me again.”

“I don’t fear you, Kas.” She snuggled closer, her body feeling so incredibly good in my arms.

“When I sleep, I’m a danger to you. That’s a stark truth that might take years to rectify.”

“So you’re not staying?”

“No, I’m staying. For all the nights, as long as we both shall live.”

She sighed again. “Then I still don’t get it.”

“Some nights, I’ve been so close to coming to you—in my sleep and when I’m awake. I’ve caught myself in a nightmare, slamming back into consciousness right outside your bedroom door. Those are the nights I sleep outside, doing my best to get some space from you, just in case I do something unforgivable.”

“And I’m grateful.” She yawned. “So grateful.”

“Other nights, when it’s almost unbearable out there on the couch by myself, I look for things in your house that could restrain me. I’d be willing to wear a rope, a cuff, a damn chain again if it meant my hands would be kept away from your lovely neck and we could sleep safely side by side.”

Gem twisted in my arms, our faces almost touching. “I never want you restraining yourself, do you hear me? You’re not going to be trapped again, Kas. Even if it means my safety.”

“You’re not listening. Now, I don’t have to be.” I kissed her gently. “Fang is my restraints.”

She pulled away, her eyes searching mine. “Fang?”

“He growled at me because he thought you were asleep and therefore helpless to prevent whatever I was going to do to you. I might have been the one to free him, but he’s chosen to protect you.” I laughed again at the perfection of it. “I told you, Gem, we recognized each other. Heknows what I’m capable of because he’s capable of the same thing. He loves and trusts both of us but he’s loyal toyou. Loyal...even if it means going against me.”

Her eyes slowly tightened with understanding. “You’re saying...if you woke in a nightmare and tried to hurt me, Fang would hurt you back.”

I nodded. “I know without a shadow of a doubt, if I try to lay a finger on you in violence, his teeth will be at my throat.”

She shivered. “He’s already bitten you once. We don’t need a repeat.”

I kissed her. “I would gladly be his damn chew toy if it gave me peace of mind while sleeping beside you.” I laughed with absolute freedom, with joy at this incredible gift. “I will continue to have nightmares. That’s a part of my healing that I doubt I’ll be able to rush or ignore. I know some of those will wake me with rage and total unawareness of my surroundings. It could be years before I’m stable enough to sleep beside you—just like that damn book said. But...” I hugged her so fucking hard. “I don’t have to wait years to enjoythis.To be in your bed. To make love to you and go to sleep with you tucked in my arms. We can have this now...all because we have an alarm system. A dog that will bark if I wake in a nightmare. A creature who will happily bite me if I come anywhere near you in anything but kindness and love.”

Gem studied me before arching her head to look at Fang.

His head popped up, his tongue lolling out as if totally agreeing with me. He whined once and wagged his tail before placing his chin back on his paws.

“See?” I grinned. “He’s game if you are.”

“You’re asking if I’m okay with you getting bitten if you so much as wriggle too close to me in your sleep?”

“I think he’ll give me some leniency, but yes, that’s what I’m asking.”

“And you’ll happily get bitten instead of sleeping safely on the couch? We can buy you another bed, Kas. I’ve been thinking of redecorating one of the spare rooms back into a guest—”

“Don’tuse that word.” I shivered, panic and anger flowing through me involuntarily.

Fang instantly leaped to his feet, sensing my change, most likely smelling the ripeness of fresh adrenaline and animosity.

He was like my own personal alert beacon—sensing my mood before even I did.

Voices tried to whisper through my thoughts but Fang’s intensity helped block them, keeping me present, fading my sudden panic.

I reached out and ruffled his head. “You’re a good boy. The best. So in-tune. So fucking perfect.”