Page 78 of Mated to the Vikings

“I’m sorry, Cassia,” she managed.

“Sorry. You’re sorry. You had no understanding of what Erik could or would do. There were no controls. You simply allowed him to escape to initiate some crazy plan? You were both playing with lives. My life. Erik’s life. Every fucking human on Earth. You fucked with them all!” Yelling wasn’t going to solve anything, but right now, all I wanted to do was rip her apart. I rose onto my knees, getting in her face. “How fucking dare you.”

“Calm down.” Brexin jerked me into a sitting position. “You have to remain strong.”

“She’s right, Brexin. I will do everything I can to help you. I had no idea about the disease and I honestly don’t believe that Steve did either. Please believe me,” Rowena pleaded.

“Oh, Steve knew everything. He played everyone, including the Galerians.” Huffing, I moved closer to Erik.

There was no way any longer of telling the truth and besides, what did it matter? Tears slipped past my lashes, streaming down my face. Once I placed my head on his chest and heard his slow heartbeat, I knew we’d lost the battle. There was no way he would survive. “I do love you. Come back to us. Come back.” The hum of the motor beneath us should be lulling, even comforting, but there was little in my mind but the need for retribution. One day, I would hunt down Steve Forrester and quite frankly, I would kill him with my bare hands.

The tears continued to fall, soaking Erik’s shirt. He was so cold, his body temperature having dropped. He was so close to death. “Come back.” I couldn’t stop sobbing, my heart breaking in two. I adored the man, loved him and Rowena was right. The way I felt had nothing to do with any fake connection.

“Cassia,” Brexin said in a gentle manner.

“What?”

“He’s moving.”

Jerking my head, I stared at his face, able to see his lips moving, twitching. “Involuntary.”

“His hand. Look at his hand,” Brexin nodded, a grin on his face.

I sat up, glaring down. His fingers were moving, lifting and flexing. “Erik. Oh, God.”

Rowena took his other arm, feeling for his pulse. “He’s much stronger. We might be out of the woods.”

“Leave him alone!” I snapped.

“She’s helped us so far. We need her, Cassia.” Brexin kept his tone calm.

“Fine, but if you do anything to hurt him, I’ll kill you myself.”

“Where is the other sedative, Cassia? We have to be prepared in case he becomes aggressive.”

I wanted to lash out at Brexin but he was right. “In my bag. Erik. Open your eyes. Come on. I need you to listen to me and do as I say.”

There was no additional movement for a full minute. I placed my hand on his heart, taking gulping breaths. His heart was almost beating normally. “Erik. Come on. Open your eyes.”

A snarl curled on Erik’s lips but very slowly, he responded.

“I need a light. Now!” I gasped for air, unable to think clearly. He had to be all right. He had to come back to me.

“Breathe, Cassia.” Brexin slapped a light into my hand.

I darted the harsh glow into his eyes. When they refracted, attempting to focus, I was elated. I repeated the action, biting back a moan.

Erik growled, shifting forcefully.

“Ah, shit. Get the sedative ready!” Brexin snapped, trying to pull me away from Erik.

“No! Wait. Just fucking wait.” My voice faltered, choking back another round of tears. “Erik. Do you know who I am?” I held the light aloft, studying his facial expressions.

He snarled and opened his eyes all the way, staring straight into mine. “Cassia.”

“Jesus,” Rowena breathed. “Maybe this worked.”

“And maybe it didn’t.” I checked his pulse myself, finally taking a deep breath. “Do you know where you are?”