Chapter 25

“Better, my love?” Kellan asked, running the sponge up and down Nora’s arms.

“Mmm, much better,” she sighed.

“Good.” He kissed the crook of her neck and she leaned against him, her back to his chest. They were in their enormous bathtub, relaxing and removing all the grime from the day’s trials.

By the time they finished in the greenhouse, they were filthy, covered in dirt and dried blood. Soil had been flung everywhere, thanks to Nora’s new powers.

Since he had destroyed her attire, Kellan had to call for someone to bring Nora a robe. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of everyone knowing what she and Kellan had done in the greenhouse.

Kellan wondered if she would accidentally summon an element each time she was overcome with lust. He welcomed her enthusiasm, but worried about the fire he had seen on her fingertips becoming a hazard. She could easily set their bed aflame.

Plus, the wolves in residence would know something was afoot, especially if her magics carried any trace of her arousal.

Cyclones inside the castle would be a dead giveaway that the queen was enraptured. He wasn’t sure how to feel about that, but certainly his sweet wife would not like it.

“How do you feel? About your new powers?” he asked her.

Nora shrugged, not sure of her answer. “I feel like they’ve always been there, just out of reach. But I never recognized them for what they were. I often get these odd vibrations inside me. I suppose they were never strong enough for me to decipher what they were because magic was constantly leaking from me. Theron may have more insight, though I’m not certain it matters at this point.”

Kellan wasn’t sure how much they should be confiding in the holy man. Theron was the temple priest, and, as such, was advisor and confidant to each ruling family. Ideally, he would be loyal to all of them. But being deceived by those closest to Kellan and Nora left Kellan questioning everyone.

Aside from Nora, his mother and Edward might be the only ones with Kellan’s absolute confidence. He couldn’t imagine Foley or Niles falling under Sephtis Kenelm’s influence, either, but outside of those first three, he would have to be on guard, especially since no one knew how new members were chosen.

Kellan ran the sponge down Nora’s leg. There was no trace of the damage inflicted earlier. Her healing ability was remarkable.

“Nora, do you think you can heal others?”

Nora pursed her lips, contemplating the possibility.

“I don’t know. I only know how to receive the healing gift from the earth, from things that are living, that are attached to the soil. It has always been offered, and I only had to allow it in. I’m not sure how that would work with someone else, or with, say, someone whose element was wind. Wind doesn’t create or nourish life.”

Nora was referring to her father; wind was Edward’s element. Kellan and Nora had stopped by the infirmary when they left the greenhouse. He’d wanted Nora to see Edward was alive and being cared for.

One of his warriors gave a brief report, informing Kellan all the men, including those who fought the bear, were stable and two were already back on their feet.

Rhona fussed over Nora and failed to hide her fear for her daughter-in-law’s safety.

The guard also informed the royal couple that Mara’s body had been recovered, but they had not been able to track down Agatha.

Kellan was fairly confident she was no longer in Burghard. She would have either gone East or South, knowing the wolves would be in pursuit, but would not cross the borders. If she was working with the Prajna from the forest, Kellan’s guess was they were now both in the Eastland, on the run.

Either way, he would find her. He would find the vampire, as well, but his wolf’s need for vengeance on the healer was more pressing. She was one of his own, had taken an oath to devote her life to the well-being of her fellow wolves.

Kellan had trusted her implicitly, had believed she’d saved Nora’s life the night she was poisoned. He had even thanked her, profusely.

While bathing, Nora asked Kellan why he thought Agatha would have bothered saving her if she wanted her dead. Kellan speculated she had done just enough to keep Nora alive, to ensure Kellan never suspected her.

Also, Agatha and Mara, who knew of Nora’s weakness, probably believed Nora would only be poisoned further when she went to the forest for a healing session. They had planned well to remain unknown as the architects of the queen’s death.

At the time of the poisoning, neither Mara nor Agatha knew Kellan had filled the greenhouse with healthy soil and plant life from Gwydion. Only a select few who helped with the transport knew of it. He hadn’t wanted Nora to catch wind of his gift. It was to be a surprise.

Kellan needed to figure out if a direct approach with the other kings was the best way forward. They would not like it if the wolves crossed over their borders without permission. It would be seen as an act of aggression and sufficient grounds for retaliation.

He would discuss the matter with the Council this evening. There was still much to be done. At least two of the Sephtis Kenelm had been eliminated, but that meant there were two more out there, Agatha and an unknown vampire. They needed a plan.

It was time to deal with the fallout. Kellan rinsed Nora’s skin and put the sponge back in its holder.

“I think we should go down and try to speak with your father now.”

Nora agreed they needed information, but she hated to disturb the wounded. Her father was sleeping when she saw him. He looked weak, which was a word Nora had never associated with the man.

“You want to wake him?” she asked.

“I think we need to at least attempt it again. If he knows anything of importance, I would like to hear it as soon as possible.”

Nora sighed. “Alright, but just another minute, okay?”

Kellan kissed the top of his mate’s head, knowing she was reluctant to leave the comfort of his arms. Being in tune with her thoughts did have its advantages. He would keep her wrapped in his embrace the entire day if he could.

All too soon, Kellan was helping Nora out of the water. He grabbed a towel and ran it over her skin. His touch made her shiver and a small moan escaped from her mouth.

Kellan had to fight the impulse to throw her on the bed and take what her body was so obviously offering. There would be time for play later.

As Kellan dried her off, Nora used her power to blow air currents across both of their heads to dry their hair. She didn’t want to misuse her powers, but she made the excuse she needed to practice them in order to better control them.

Kellan’s mouth twitched. Nora could have easily dried her body herself with her magic, but instead she allowed him to do it.

Once he had thoroughly patted every inch of her delectable body, he led her into the wardrobe. Kellan was tempted to dress her himself, or at least watch her do it, but he resisted, and put on his clothing with his back to his wife.

“Ready?” he asked when he finally turned around.

“Ready.”

Kellan took Nora’s hand and escorted her downstairs. He was reassured by the fact his wife appeared to be stronger than ever. Her ability to call fire would be an important defense strategy. Though, she was right about needing to practice.

The last thing they wanted was for Nora to accidentally burn everything in the castle and possibly harm someone in the process. They would have to find a safe place for her to practice fire, specifically.

On the bright side, Kellan did not view Nora quite so fragile as he had before. He hoped it would continue to lessen his worry.

* * *

“Any change?” Nora asked Rhona as she entered the infirmary, which now held six men. Rhona was walking to each bed, checking heart rates and bandages.

“Your father is in and out of consciousness, but he is strong and seems to be stable. Foley was awake for a short time. I gave him something for his pain and he fell back asleep.”

“Did Foley say anything?” asked Kellan.

“Yes. He said he scented the Prajna a moment too late, but he never saw him. None of them did. Well, I assume none did. The wolves all gave the same account, but I wasn’t able to ask Edward.”

The three of them looked down at the King of Gwydion. His color was better than when Kellan had found him, but his wounds would take time to heal. He wasn’t a wolf, so he would probably be in here for weeks.

“How are you, Nora? I heard more of what happened from Alec.”

“She’s good, Mother,” Kellan replied.

“Thank you, but I am capable of answering for myself, Wolf.”

“Yes, but since I can now read your thoughts, I thought I’d answer for you,” he teased.

Nora lightly slapped his arm and turned to her mother-in-law. “Yes, I’m good. And yes, we’ve blood-mated. We can discuss the details later.”

Rhona’s eyes grew big. “Oh, I’m not wanting to hear details of that.”

Nora gave a nervous laugh. “No, that’s not how it happened. We will share it at the next Council meeting. Right, Kellan?”

Kellan grinned and went around to each bed, checking on the men, beyond grateful each of them would soon be back to normal. Rhona embraced Nora and congratulated her.

Edward moaned, and Nora ran to his bed. She took his hand in both of hers, her face full of concern.

“Father? Father can you open your eyes for me?”

Edward’s eyes fluttered, then shut, then fluttered again. “Nora?” he croaked.

“Yes, it’s me. You made it to Castle Burghard. You and the other men were attacked. Do you remember?”

Edward lifted his head slightly, scowling in confusion, then dropped back onto his pillow. It appeared he didn’t have the energy to keep his eyes open.

Kellan put his hand on Nora’s shoulder. “Perhaps we should give him a moment?”

Nora looked down at her father who was fighting the grips of sleep. “Yes, of course. I don’t want to upset him or confuse him further.”

Nora sat in the chair to the right of Edward’s bed. She held his hand in hers, noticing the dried blood under his fingernails. Rhona had cleaned him as much as she could, especially around his wounds, but he would need time in a hot bath to remove the rest.

It would be a long time before he could bathe. She couldn’t stand the sight of the King of Gwydion’s hands in such a state. She grabbed the shears they’d used to cut his bandages earlier and used one of the tips to lightly scrape under his nails. She could not wake her father, but she could remove the blood on his hands.

Kellan took the seat on the opposite side of Edward’s bed. He watched Nora as she watched over her father, manicuring his nails, waiting for him to awaken.

“Mother?” he said, getting Rhona’s attention.

“Yes, dear?”

“Should we try smelling salts? Or something of that nature?”

Rhona walked to the foot of the bed, considering the drawbacks of trying to force Edward to stay awake.

“I don’t think we should force his body to do anything it’s not willing to do on its own. Not yet, at least. I know you feel pressured to get answers, but another day or two of rest could do wonders for him. It’s my guess he won’t know anything concerning Mara or Agatha, especially the little traitor’s whereabouts. Why don’t you concentrate on finding her for now and we’ll reassess him every twelve hours or so? He may awake on his own sooner than we think.”

“You’re probably right,” Kellan said.

“Of course, I am. I am your mother.”

Nora laughed, appreciating the way Rhona never treated Kellan as if he was a high and mighty lord of the manor.

“I have sent for another healer from up North,” Rhona added. “She should be here in the next two or three days. She’ll know more than I will about the repercussions of any medicines we give. Let’s be patient in this, at least where Edward is concerned.”

Kellan agreed with his mother and focused his thoughts on how to go about catching the remaining members of Sephtis Kenelm. Watching the person he treasured most in this world pick flakes of dried blood from her father’s fingers galvanized his resolve.

He considered a variety of scenarios, deciding which would be the worst possible way to die. If he could, he would bring these lethal plots to fruition, would do all that he could to make it so Nora was never a target again. He would slay both the she-wolf and the vampire—and enjoy doing it.

Kellan summoned the guard stationed at the door.

“Sir?”

“Fetch me our two fastest couriers.”

“Right away, Sir.”

“And tell Niles I would like a word. We’ve much to do.”