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I scowled at Malvolia’s lover when he loudly cleared his throat. He stood in the doorway, shifting from foot to foot while my sister moaned in his arms.
“The queen needs a healer, too,” he said.
Cassandra went to him, frowning while she examined my sister. “Her injuries aren’t life-threatening.” When he made to protest, she interrupted him. “Come. We will get her into a warm bed, but the healers will be delayed until the gravely injured are saved.”
Then Cassandra was gone, leaving the green witch, Marius, and me with Derrick.
The green witch was a young girl with dark skin and hair twisted in intricate weaves on top of her head. Her thick brows were knitted together, her breathing shallow as she hovered over my mate, magic spilling out of her.
Ignoring the shivers that coursed through me, I chewed my nails, worrying that her magic wouldn’t be powerful enough to heal him.
Flora, we have to get you out of those clothes.
My gaze snapped to Marius who was sitting at the end of the bed. I’m not leaving Derrick.
I’m not asking you to. He stood, ruffling his wings. I’ll find some clothes for you.
I turned my gaze back to Derrick’s wound that still bled despite the green magic flowing into him. Fine.
Flora. His voice broke on a plea.
Clenching my jaw, I refused to look at him while rubbing warmth into Derrick’s knee. You wouldn’t save him.
I was protecting you.
My vision blurred with tears. Derrick would’ve died.
Derrick wanted me to keep you safe.
I jumped from my seat, bearing down on him with a snarl. “Do you know how many tears I cried for you?” I asked aloud, the cracks in my voice mirroring the fissures in my heart. “That I never stopped mourning you?”
He flinched then paled.
For almost twenty-four years I was the shell of the Fae I was before with only half of my heart beating, I projected through thought as my throat had tightened so much it hurt to speak. I turned from him, biting down on my knuckles to keep from crying out. Do you think I can survive such heartache again?
Flora. His plea echoed in my mind as he grasped my shoulder.
I jerked away from him, biting harder on my fist as silent tears fell. I hated how vulnerable he made me feel, how everyone I loved made me feel, and for the first time I envied Malvolia for her hardened heart.
Flora
AFTER CHANGING INTO warm robes, I climbed into bed beside Derrick, alarmed at his cold and clammy skin. Fire mages were naturally always warm. It was as if the fire had drained out of him. I wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could summon fire to warm him, but even if I transformed into a winged mage, it was all just an illusion. I still wouldn’t be able to access fire magic. Where was Marius? He could warm his brother. I had sent a servant for him, and neither of them had returned. Was Marius angry with me after I’d turned my back on him earlier?
The green witch was asleep in a chair beside Derrick, having drained the last of her magic trying to heal his wound. His stomach was a grotesque mess of scars, but he no longer bled. I still wasn’t sure if the green witch had saved him or just prolonged his demise. The thought that I still might lose him was a blade through my heart.
I shot up when the door cracked open, my shoulders slumping in disappointment when Lady Cassandra entered, quietly shutting the door behind her.
“Flora,” she whispered.
I leaned against the headboard, cradling Derrick’s head against my bosom. “What news have you from above?”
“The fire mages have prevailed for now,” she said as she sat on the bed beside me. “The wyvern corpse has retreated.” She visibly swallowed. “Along with his master.”
I understood too well the horror reflecting in her eyes, for that master was Cassandra’s former husband, the vindictive king who’d hunted her and her shifter sons, my daughter’s mates. I feared if there was any trace of Fachnan left inside his corpse shell, he wouldn’t stop until he enacted vengeance on Cassandra and her sons. I shuddered to think what that vengeance might be.
“Tell me.” Cassandra cleared her throat while twisting the frayed end of her rope belt around her finger. “How were our children and grandchildren last you saw them?”
“Well.” I forced a smile. “And how are you, Cassandra?”
