Chapter 9
S tone
“How is she?”
I lifted my head, blinking my eyes to bring B’nar’s features into focus. I’d been here for one, maybe two days? I’d lost awareness of everything around me. Time had blurred into a series of exhausted naps, beeping monitors, and worry that stretched so deep into my soul that my wolf was as agitated as me.
I glanced over at Shannon’s pale, drawn face. “No fits since last night.” I frowned, not sure if it really had been last night or not…
“You need to go and get some rest, my friend.”
I shot him a glare, but B’nar wasn’t easily intimidated by my sleep-deprived attitude. He merely cocked his head and continued to stare me down. He was the Prince Regent of Faery, and although I considered Connor my brother, Alpha, and King, there was a part of me, my Fae part, that would never disrespect him. So, although I didn’t drop my gaze, I conceded with a slight nod. “Fine. But I won’t leave her alone. Her fight or flight will kick in if she wakes up in a strange room with people she doesn’t know. And Shannon's default is fight…”
We both knew the staff caring for her would get hurt. And Shannon would probably hurt herself in the process.
“That’s where I come in, bitches.”
I leaned to the side to see Blue strut through the door, a challenging smile on her face. B’nar winced before shooting her a warning glare. Unlike me, she completely ignored him, patting him on the chest as she passed.
“Chill, Princeling. If I’m going to be stuck here in your palace for the next seven days and nights before I do my sleeping beauty impression again, then I’m making the most of having one of my friends here. So off you go. Both of you. And leave me alone with her.”
She plonked herself in the armchair on the opposite side of Shannon and raised her eyebrows expectantly. Most of me didn’t want to leave and was about to refuse when I remembered B’nar had suggested it, too. Which he wouldn’t do unless…
“I must really look like shit if you’re both here.”
Blue grinned, and even B’nar’s mouth ticked up a bit at the corners.
“You really do.” Blue’s smile dropped as she looked at Shannon. “She’s really sick, isn’t she?”
My stomach twisted as Blue gently took Shan’s hand in hers. Hating it, but knowing I needed a break, I leaned forward to kiss Shan’s forehead. The monitor beeped steadily in the background, not giving any indication she’d felt my gentle kiss or heard Blue anymore than she had me earlier on. I sighed and unfurled my fingers from Shannon's, taking care to avoid the little tube in the back of her hand. The drip was unavoidable, even in Faery. She’d been so dehydrated and undernourished that not even advanced Fae medicine could solve it without being invasive.
“Come on, lovely. I know you’re hurting, but you’ve got to come back. I mean, it’s just cruel to leave me here alone with these two Alpha-holes.”
I looked away, unable to deal with the tears in Blue’s eyes. I wasn’t close to her, but I knew enough to realise she didn’t give her friendship easily. Shannon became friends with Ember, Connor’s mate, and as Blue was Ember’s best friend, these two had formed a relationship, too. But Blue was infected with a demon enchantment that rendered her unconscious in the mortal world, so their time together was limited. In Faery, whatever magic created that enchantment was weakened by the cycles of the Faery moons. The bright orbs cycled around the skies in opposite directions, and when they aligned in the sky for the start of a new Faery moon cycle, Blue awoke. That period of consciousness only lasted until the moons broke apart. Once the pull of that magic lessened, she fell into a deep slumber.
B’nar was technically her jailer. Blue and Ember had been digitalis dealers in Faery, but between B’nar hunting them and Doherty, Shannon’s father, cornering them, they’d been caught. The human plant was like an opiate to the Fae. It was highly addictive and dangerous in large amounts. B’nar’s father had granted Ember absolution for her crimes in Faery, but Blue was B’nar’s. He’d claimed her life as his, though it seemed he was in no rush to try her for her crimes. If anything, he’d made it clear to all of the Winter Kingdom that she was under his protection. I also knew he was working hard with his team of scientists, apothecaries, and enchanters, not to mention his father, to find a cure for Blue’s curse. He’d never said why, but it seemed like they were enemies with a heavy dose of chemistry thrown in. Where that would lead them, I had no idea. I doubted they did either, considering B’nar would likely need to marry for political gain.
He didn’t look impressed by her term of address for us, though I’d hardly noticed the insult. It had seemed more affectionate than vindictive.
“Be careful of your choice of words, human, or you’ll be back in your cell before you can blink.”
Blue smiled sweetly. “What? That luxurious apartment you lock me away in? That’s not much of a threat now, is it, Princeling? I’m sure you can do better than that.”
B’nar stared down at her, his eyes glinting at her challenge. “We both know I don’t need threats to control you.”
Blue’s smile slipped, but she recovered quickly. “Maybe not, but you won’t start a war with the Shifter King over me, will you? Which is what will happen if you harm me. I’m his queen’s bestie, remember?”
“Who said anything about harm? Many punishments don’t require physical harm. For instance, pleasure can be equally persuasive in changing attitudes and behaviour.”
Blue’s cheeks flushed, and she shuffled in the chair, her eyes darting to me before she eyed B’nar more warily. “You won’t do that to me either.”
“You’ve no idea what I will or won’t do, human. You don’t know me. But insult me again, even with a smile on your face, and I’ll lock you away from your friends….”
“No…” Shannon’s rasp froze me in the chair. It took a few seconds to process that she was awake, even with the monitor beeping crazily. She tightly grasped Blue’s fingers as if that would stop B’nar from following through on his threat.
“Shan?” Seconds was all it took before my own heart rate matched hers.
Her eyes squeezed shut, and she wouldn’t look at me. Unacceptable. Gently, I placed my hand on her sticky and damp cheek and tilted her face toward me. She still kept her eyes squeezed shut.
“You can’t hide from me…”
“Yes, I can.”
If I hadn’t been so worried, I’d have smiled at the petulance in her whisper.
“Open your eyes. Or I’ll tell B’nar to lock Blue away, and you can get used to seeing only me until you’re back on your feet.” My threat was underhanded, but no one ever said I was nice. She’d look at me, or I’d make her. Hiding from me would never be an option.
“You can’t make B’nar do anything. He’s a fucking prince of Faery, you’re not.”
She scrunched her eyes even tighter, and even though it pissed me off that she refused to look at me, my lips curled at the return of her fire. Even if it was just an ember of her usual cutting attitude.
“No, he can’t make me, but I understand from your king that he has complete control over your life, so I will honour his request.”
Shannon’s eyes shot open at B’nar’s clever words. We both grinned. B’nar at Blue’s furious stare, me at Shannon’s. Shannon was as fiercely independent as any other female in our circle, and my friend knew she’d rebel against his statement. Unfortunately for her, she was still facing my way. And just as I wanted, it meant the first thing she saw when she woke was me.
“He doesn't control me. He never will.”
My grin stretched, grateful for the defiance in her eyes. It had been sadly lacking recently. And even if it was there because she was furious about being stuck with me, I didn’t care. I’d do everything I could to keep it there.
“Glad you're back with us, Shan.”
Confusion flitted through her gaze at my gentle tone. Her cheek warmed as I held her gaze. Her fingers curled around my wrist as she tried to move my hand from her face, but I held it against her skin, unwilling to let her go. My eyes narrowed. Even sweaty, pale and ravaged by the demons of her past, she was fucking beautiful. I’d never allowed myself to dwell on how fucking gorgeous I found her, but now I couldn’t seem to stop. Her lips were dry and cracked, but I swore to myself that once she was healed, they were mine. She didn’t realise it yet, but that mouth would never taste anyone else. “But let me be clear. Until our king says otherwise, your life is mine. You are mine. So when I tell you to do something, you will obey.”
“No, I won’t.”
The fierce return of her fire stoked my relief and awakened another baser part of my personality that she’d never met. My grin was no-holds-barred Fae and downright predatory, especially as my wolf perked up at the challenge in her tone. “Yes, Shan, you will.”
Her eyes flashed, her wolf taking a peek at me. I stared them both down. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her wolf disappearing. “Or what?” There was a bit of a wobble to her words, and she bit her bottom lip.
I’d never seen that move from her before, but fuck me if it didn’t make my dick twitch in anticipation of the hunt. All my good intentions of letting her go when she was well again had disintegrated. Now, it was all about getting her well, so I could claim what was mine. “Or I’ll have fun reminding you who you belong to.”
Her eyes widened as I slid my hand away, her mouth clamping shut. I took advantage of her stunned silence to kiss her forehead and straighten, looking at Blue. “I’ll take your advice and head back to my rooms while you spend some time together.” I flashed an enquiring look at B’nar, who nodded.
I tilted my head and peered down at Shannon. “The door is open, but you will not try and escape. You are not strong enough to survive in Faery alone. There are bigger and far more evil predators than me out there. Just remember that. The medical staff B’nar has kindly organised will continue your care, and you will allow them to do their jobs and accept every part of your treatment.”
I’d hoped for more mutiny, but she just looked exhausted again. Her head rested back on the pillow, and she nodded.
“Good.” I walked to the door, then hesitated, looking back at her and then Blue. “If you see your father again, you must tell the staff. They will give you some medication to help with hallucinations. It’s the alcohol withdrawal. He’s not really here, Shannon.”
Her face paled even more, and she closed her eyes, looking defeated.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her and tell them if anything happens.”
I nodded at Blue, grateful to her, but I didn’t trust Shannon to speak up if her bastard of a father was destroying her mind more than he already had, even if it was just a memory or hallucination. She was as vulnerable to him now as she had always been, making him as powerful as if he was standing right beside her.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I hesitated for a moment longer, still unwilling to leave her. Shannon squeezed her eyes shut again. This time, I let it go. One win was enough, and more than anything, I was just fucking relieved she’d woken up. I didn’t want to push her any further.