Preston stood in the living room after Robert left. He stared at the wall without moving. Dacia’s heart twisted as she stepped into his line of sight.
“Talk to me, Ember. You’re scaring me.”
His eyes locked on hers. “I’m not ready to see how bad she is.”
“I have an idea. Let’s take a shower. We’ll get cleaned up, eat something, then make the drive. The healers will have her all fixed up by the time we get there.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. “Good call.”
She clung to the words they’d reassured her with when she wanted to feel guilty, refusing to let that emotion take hold as she led him upstairs. He never took his eyes off her, and she managed to slowly back up the stairs, holding onto his hand the whole way.
“I’ll wash you this time.” She pulled his shirt over his head and then his mouth was on hers. He backed her against the counter as she opened his pants, not breaking the kiss.
Preston kicked his shoes off, then the rest of his clothes. He yanked her shirt over her head and pushed her jeans down before setting her on the counter. He placed his head over her heart and wound his arms around her.
Tears slid down her breast. She held him to her, rocking gently. “She’ll be okay.”
“I know. I just… your dad… he would have taken you from me. Your own father.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “I was a tool. One he viewed as broken.”
He stood up and took her face in his hands. “I’ll never use you. Always cherish you. I love you, Dacia.”
“Shh. I believe you. You put me first. He never did. You fill the void, make me whole. You’re part of me, Ember. Now let me help you feel that.”
“I do.”
She smiled sadly. “I want to make sure your mother’s okay too. I’d like to meet the woman who brought you into my life, even if she hates me.”
Preston shook his head. “She wouldn’t have pushed you out of the way if she hated you. If she had any thought you might hurt me, she would have pushed you under the collapse instead of out of the way.”
“That protective?” She almost laughed.
He nodded. “Yeah. She’s going to love you. Come on.” Taking a step back, he pulled her boots off, then he finished removing her jeans before picking her up to carry her into the shower.
* * * *
Preston stood at the side of his mother’s bed. She was whole, but not waking up. Dacia held his hand, her head on his shoulder. He felt the tear inch down his face, but made no move to wipe it away.
“Other than the coma, she’s in perfect health,” Emily explained from across the bed. “I was able to set the bones and mend the breaks. The internal bleeding is resolved. There’s no explanation for why she won’t wake. I’ve tried everything. She’s simply not responding.”
He nodded, unsure what to say. Mom could have disappeared instead of letting Remus take her. She could have escaped. Hell, she could have killed him. Instead, she was lying in a bed, completely unconscious. He felt her essence, but part of her was distant.
“We’ll figure this out, Preston. Sooner or later we’ll have answers,” Emily assured.
“Thank you.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I need a little time with her.”
Dacia moved to leave but his arm shot out to wind around her waist, hauling her to his side. “Please stay.”
She nodded against his shoulder. “Anything for you.”
“And don’t you dare say what I bet you’re thinking.”
She turned and pulled his gaze to hers. “Don’t blame yourself either.”
“I’m not. It was all her choice. All of it since the very beginning. Why? I don’t have a clue. She could have done so many things differently. Why let him take her? Why let him hold her? Why pretend she was unconscious? I have more questions than answers.”
“Maybe there’s something else going on. You could call Toryn. Maybe Remus did something.”
“You’re right.” He pulled his phone out and kissed her softly before pacing away to stare out the window. Toryn answered immediately.
“How’s Priscilla?”
“In a coma. The healers can’t wake her. Dacia thought maybe it might be a spell or something. Know anything that could do that?”
“Are you at headquarters in Seattle?”
“Yeah, in the medical wing.”
“Mind if I come visit? I might have an idea, but I’ve got to have more information. Getting what’s required might be hard. First, I want to confirm my suspicions.”
“Okay. Call when you get here, and I’ll meet you in front.” He hung up and moved back to Dacia. “Do you need to get back home or anything?”
She shook her head. “Nope. I’m here for you.”
* * * *
“Still mad at me?” Toryn asked Isa as he came back to their bedroom.
She snorted. “Not mad. I get it. You didn’t want me near Remus. You even told me what you were doing. I am peeved I didn’t get a hand in taking him out.”
“Oh, Princess, I love that vicious streak of yours.” He strode toward her and took her into his arms. “Now, I have to do something, and I want you to come with me—if it’s not too weird.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, two things really. The first might be awkward. The second, not so much.”
She huffed impatiently. “Spit it out already.”
He laughed, then ducked his head. “Preston’s mother is in a coma. Keep in mind I haven’t actually seen her in ninety years. We were never—”
“I’ll go. That isn’t weird. I’ve been around people you’ve been with. Nothing new there.”
He rewarded her with a kiss. “Thing is, I think Remus did something that is keeping her unconscious. If he did, I’m going to want your help. Your parents will have access to what we need to bring her back.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Then we need to finally destroy the contract promising Dacia to Gebiet. Remember that earth dragon who chased us down the freeway?”
“Oh,” she frowned. “Yeah, gladly. It’s time. Though I can’t say he seemed all that bad.”
“Only because you haven’t come face-to-face with him. He’s as bad, or worse, than your uncle was.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice. Hand that parchment over and it’s ash.”