Vek stirred beneath her, and his hand lifted slowly to tangle in her hair. “Caramuin?”
Dria shifted onto her elbow and blinked sleepily down at his blurry face. Her wrist had fallen away at some point, and she must have drifted to sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she searched for Lial and found him in a chair near the bed, his head resting against the tall back.
When she caught his gaze, he smiled. “You did well to call me.”
“I admit that for once I am happy to be ignored,” Vek muttered.
She swiped her hair out of her face and struggled to form thoughts. It took far too long for her brain to catch up. Vek must have taken a great deal of her blood. “It was worse than he thought?”
“I would say so,” Lial answered. “We may not suffer from diseases the way humans do, but no living thing does well when the contents of the intestines slip into the bloodstream.”
Vek’s chest heaved in a sigh. “That’s never happened before.”
Dria smiled at the exasperation in his tone. Her head began to clear, and she pushed herself to a sitting position so she could glance around the room. Kera and Fedah stood guard beside the outer door, and one of the mages studied the puddle of water in the corner. Vek’s hand rested against her hip, and at the caress of his thumb, she stiffened.
She was still naked.
Ah, well. Her cousin was a healer. He would know very well why her nipples beaded and her skin flushed at her bonded’s touch, even if she was too tired to act on her desire, but Lial wouldn’t be shocked. Sure enough, with a slight smile, he rose and headed toward the door. He must have given the others an unusual look or silent mental command, for they filed out ahead of him.
At the door, he turned. “The protections were strengthened while you rested, but it might be wise to put another layer around your bed for greater warning. And try not to be too rough. Vek’s wound is closed, but the area is still weak.”
Vek chuckled as the door closed behind Lial, but Dria didn’t laugh. Instead, she studied her bonded’s tired face. He could have died, as she’d feared he would. Just like Gessen. But she wouldn’t have regretted bonding with Vek. No, what she would have regretted the most was not sharing her love with him.
“I don’t even know how it happened,” she whispered.
Vek’s brows quirked. “The attack?”
“No.” She smiled. “Well, yes, but that’s not what I was thinking about. I was more considering love.”
His expression went blank. “Love.”
“It makes no sense.” Dria poked a finger into his ribs, though her smile remained. “You’re contrary, stubborn, and difficult, and we argue as much as anything. But somehow, I still fell in love with you.”
“You needn’t say that because I nearly died,” Vek admonished. “I told you I wouldn’t leave you, and I meant it.”
Dria snorted. “Not even you can promise not to die.”
“True, I suppose.” Finally, a small smile appeared. “But I’d probably haunt you. I imagine I would make an excellent ghost.”
Laughing, Dria settled against his side. Her fingers drifted across the place where he’d been injured, but the skin was smooth now. And blessedly clean. “At least my cousin was kind enough to get rid of the blood. The spell might not be as emotionally satisfying as bathing, but it’s more efficient. I’ve seen more than enough blood. Honestly, I’m considering changing my hair color again so I don’t have to see red in the mirror.”
Vek twined a strand around his finger. “If you want, though I admit I like the color. Very royal.”
“Only if you’re Felshreh, love,” she said, and the endearment came surprisingly easily to her lips. It was just…right.
Her eyes started to drift closed, but then the blasted communication mirror let out a chime. By the tone, she could tell it was her brother. “I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to lead this outpost,” she grumbled. “It. Never. Ends.”
Vek’s laugh rumbled against her ear. “Now, ahmeeren, it might have been centuries before we encountered each other had you not traveled here.”
“Shut up and get dressed,” Dria said.
Perhaps if Ralan’s message wasn’t dire, she and Vek could tumble back into bed. But of course, there was a great deal to be done. Their shielding was inadequate against Unseelie magic, and with the fae races waking on Earth, she needed to ensure that the outpost was guarded against a greater variety of magics. And gods only knew what else might happen.
Dria grabbed the first clean clothes she found in her trunk—a simple training robe—and threw it on before striding toward the mirror. Vek had managed to find his own clothes, but he didn’t join her, instead slumping into the seat Lial had abandoned. She couldn’t help but feel envy at that. She might not be angry at her brother anymore, but she would rather not be talking to him this early in the morning, either.
With a sigh, she activated her side of the connection. Ralan’s stark, weary face replaced her own reflection, and she blinked in surprise at how upset he appeared. “Is something wrong?”
“Besides knowing what I was sending you into but being unable to stop it?” Ralan snapped. Then he took a deep breath. “Sorry. I sent the sword, hoping it would help. Were you injured? The future strands don’t indicate it, but I can’t see the past and—”
“I’m fine, Ralan,” Dria said firmly. A sternness that hid how much his words meant to her. “Vek was hurt by Meren, but Lial was here to heal him.”
Vek joined her at the mirror. “Thank you for the sword. We wouldn’t have escaped our battles mostly unscathed without it.”
Some of the worry on Ralan’s face faded. “You’re welcome.”
“I don’t want to sound rude,” Dria began, “but is there more to this call than checking on me? I’m too tired to hold my end of this connection for long. Not that I don’t want to talk to you, but this distance…”
Ralan nodded. “I understand. I have a few orders for you, but that’s all.”
“From you or Father?”
“Technically Father but mostly me,” Ralan answered with a smile. “I’m having a water mage sent from the Citadel. Shield every drop, or you’ll risk Meren sneaking in again. It’s his strongest element. Also, work with Vek to guard against Unseelie magic, and be prepared for Kezari to return to give aid when she gets tired of Aris fretting about disease.”
“But we need to track Meren.” Dria’s hands tightened into fists at the memory of her bonded’s injury. “He has much to answer for.”
Ralan shook his head. “That’s a task for Caolte. Kai’s uncle. But it will be some time before he can bring Meren to justice. And that’s provided that he… Never mind. You’re to guard against Meren’s return, but you shouldn’t seek to engage. The purpose of the outpost is safety, and I’m not just talking about protecting the portal. There are those who will need your help.”
Like the woman on the bridge, Dria thought.
“If we find Moranaian half-bloods, are we to bring them here?” she asked.
“Provided they are not a threat,” Ralan answered wearily. “And if they are, I suppose we’ll have to consider our next steps. I’ll speak with Father on the matter and get back to you.”
A wave of dizziness hit her, and her stomach rolled. “Anything else? I’m about to run out of energy.”
“No orders. Just…” Ralan rubbed his palms against his temples. “I’m sorry about Gessen. I’d hoped that strand wouldn’t happen, Dree.”
She gave him a sad smile. “It wasn’t your fault.”
None of the things that had happened between them was his fault, not entirely, and that realization filled her with an unexpected lightness. He’d had his own troubles to deal with and had done the best he could. After all, Ralan was a seer, not a god.
“I will make certain you will be able to attend Gessen’s funeral,” Ralan said.
“Thank you,” Dria answered, and her head swam again. “I have to go. I love you.”
Surprise crossed Ralan’s face, but he smiled. “I love you, too, Dree.”
As soon as the connection closed, Dria sagged against Vek. So much for a pleasant morning in bed—at this rate, she would need to sleep all day to be able to function. “I’d ask you to share blood again, but then I’d end up needing to feed you, too,” she muttered.
Vek snickered. “After my injury? Probably.”
A knock sounded on the door, and this time, they both groaned. Dria swept her magic outward to find an uneasy Fen on the other side. Gathering the last remnants of her energy, she trudged over to let her bond-nephew in. As soon as the door swung inward, he strode through.
“Maddy texted me,” Fen said at once. “Things may be starting to heat up soon. According to the news, there are reports of witches doing real magic in places like Salem, and an entire town in Scotland swears they saw a dragon flying over the mountains. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t start hearing about dormant mythological creatures popping up around the world now that they have enough energy to awaken.”
Dria huffed. “Well, they’re going to have to wait until I have a nap. I don’t have the energy to deal with any new problems right now.”
Fen eyed them both. “You guys look like hell. I thought Lial healed Vek? That’s what he said when I tried to come in earlier. Seemed like you were sleeping then.”
“Thanks, Fen,” Vek said dryly. “If you’d like to help, how about you give me a bit of blood and then fuck off?”
The younger man merely laughed. “Fine, fine. I’ll go see if I can find out more from Maddy while you sleep. Or see if Delbin and Inona are back from their latest trip to the city.”
“So long as you don’t cause trouble,” Vek said. “We’ve had more than enough of that.”
“I suppose,” Fen said with a grin. Then he held out his arm for his uncle.
While Vek fed, Dria stumbled over to the bed and dropped face-first into the pillow. She was already dozing by the time her bonded joined her, but she smiled when he tugged her against him. His warmth lulled her gently into sleep.
It was unusual to be standing in the Moranaian throne room as family instead of a visitor, but Vek had experienced stranger things. Based on some of the glances he’d received as he marched in beside Dria in formal Felshreh reds, his sword strapped to his back, a few of the courtiers here hadn’t led such eventful lives. But he wasn’t here for them. He never would be.
In front of the throne, Gessen had been laid out in state. Vek had no idea what the man’s original rank had been, but the funeral rites would have suited a prince. The entire royal family stood on the dais, including Dria’s mother, as the priest chanted to the gods. Vek didn’t bother to listen. His attention was on his mate.
She gripped his hand in hers, but her face showed no sign of the turmoil he felt from her. Helplessness ate at him, for not even he could protect her from grief. But as the attendants lifted the bier holding Gessen, Vek shoved his own feelings aside. Dria needed him.
Her breath hitched as the royal family followed Gessen’s parents in the long procession to the cliff where the pyre would be lit. There were no words he could give her in this moment, nor was there anything he could say that would ease the agony echoing between them as Gessen’s mother called down the flame to start the fire.
Vek merely stood with his mate until the pyre was little more than ash.
Eventually, he followed her along the line of the ridge until they were alone. The mountain view was spectacular, but all he could look at was his mate’s agonized face. She’d already spoken with Gessen’s parents, and although they hadn’t seemed to blame her, he was afraid that part of her would always blame herself. But he couldn’t fix that for her, either.
“It doesn’t seem real,” Dria whispered.
“I know, love. The worst things never do.”
“Hold me?” she asked, and Vek gathered her close, though she startled when her hands reached his sword. “I can’t believe you came armed to a funeral.”
He frowned. “Is this an honor not bestowed to fallen soldiers in your culture?”
“Not typically,” Dria answered. “Perhaps no one wants to risk further bloodshed.”
“Why do you think I strapped it to my back?” Vek chuckled into her hair. “Have you ever tried to draw a sword that way? It’s not easy. But I thought his warrior’s death should be honored the way my own kind would.”
Dria shook her head against his chest. “I do love you. I’m not sure why sometimes, but there you have it.”
“As I love you,” he answered without hesitation.
“Thank you for withstanding the stares to be with me.” She tilted back until she could meet his eyes. “It must have been awkward since you haven’t been formally introduced as my bonded.”
Vek shrugged. “You know I’d face far worse.”
And he would.
Forever, he would.
THE END