The Shadow Prince’s Ruin (Dark Companions #2)

Chapter 43

Sylvan

M y mind is filled with fuzzy darkness, but it’s pleasant, like a comforter filled with warm wool. I can hardly feel my body, sunken into a bed so soft—

I sit up with a gasp, my eyes flying open.

“Hawk?”

Everything around me is a blur, but when a large, dark shape moves at me, and warm arms smelling of sun-kissed rock close around me, I know I’ve succeeded.

“Sylvan! You’re awake!”

My body is quite numb, but I hug him back as much as my limbs allow. I smell him, kiss his shoulder as my eyes regain focus.

We’re in an unfamiliar bedroom, but the massive moon is high up in the sky, and the blue-black decor tells me we are most definitely in the Nocturne Palace. The bed I’m in could fit three elves, the canopy has kelpies frolicking in the waves embroidered over dark green silk, and a table next to me is filled with vials and boxes used for salves.

I kiss the side of Hawk’s face, too overwhelmed to comprehend it all. “I lived?” I ask, but Hawk only hugs me tighter. He’s shaking so much I feel compelled to comfort him, even though it’s me who’s in a sickbed.

“I’m so sorry! I don’t remember any of it. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“I know, my love. But you recognized me. It was enough for me to help you.” It’s all coming back to me, and I’m dazed when I remember that I didn’t flee from those crystal teeth. I’ve never considered myself brave, but now I know that for Hawk, I’d be ready to do anything. Even sacrifice my shadow. All it takes is a gentle pull of my fingers to confirm that I have none left.

Hawk kisses the top of my head, exhaling as he rocks us back and forth. “Your cousins, they helped you, like I asked,” he tells me, and I take in the rest of the room. It’s not nearly as refined as my old quarters, but if we are to stay, there will be time to decorate the place up to our combined taste. Wherever this room is, I just hope it is far away from my mother’s residence.

I let myself melt into Hawk’s warm body, resting my cheek on his shoulder. “I… can’t feel my leg,” I choke out, afraid to look under the covers.

Hawk’s face reflects pure terror, and he lifts the comforter. I remember flashes of the crunching noises, and the pain that came with them, but when I open my eyes, I realize my leg is still attached to the rest of my body.

Hawk shifts on the mattress and flicks my toes where they stick out from the black cast. “They’re not cold. Maybe you just need to change position,” he offers before leaning down to kiss my foot.

I laugh out loud, even though there’s nothing funny about my situation. I run my fingers over the cast, understanding the salves under it must be making my injured limb numb. Which is for the better because I would be in a world of pain without them.

“No, I think it’s just the cast. I… thought I lost my leg,” I say with a sigh of relief. “How about you? Are you not hurt? Are you no longer overheating? How long have I been out?”

Hawk stretches his body alongside mine and kisses my face so tenderly that if I were in any pain, it would have been instantly diminished. “You’re crazy! You promised you’d get yourself to safety. I almost killed you! I—I could have eaten you along with your shadow,” he tells me as his voice trembles. But he doesn’t seem angry that I broke my vow and once again kisses my head. “Your leg won’t be the same. The medics did what they could for the bones but not all of them healed right. You’ll need to use a cane. But I’ll carry you wherever you want to go.”

I have to take a deep breath to absorb the unfortunate news. “What matters is that we both live. I couldn’t leave you. Not when I still had hope. You are where I belong, my only future. Though it is a shame that I’ll no longer be able to join the circus as vault master.” I don’t want to make light of the issue with my leg, but Hawk needs this. I don’t want him to feel guilty over something that wasn’t his fault.

He grumbles and gives my arm a gentle slap. “Very funny.” But he does smile and curls around me, with his head on my chest, as if he desperately needs the comfort of my forgiveness. “Everyone’s worried about you. Luke Moor was here with his husband, the Lord, and their bat baby.”

I curl my fingers into fists. “That fucking thing! I would have gotten away with my plan if it weren’t for that meddling bat. I managed to sneak into the Lord’s bedchamber, but the creature alerted him of my presence.”

Hawk frowns. “Flap actually licked you. Maybe there were berries in the salve they put on you.”

Hawk laughs at the face I make, but I don’t find it funny at all. “I understand the Lord honored his word? We get to stay at court? Me and my Dark Companion?” I kiss the top of his head, trying to forget that I have been licked by that creature in lace.

Hawk nods, and as he entwines our fingers, I focus on the soothing warmth of his breath on my skin. “He told me I’m your Bright Companion now.”

I bite the inside of my cheek at the sudden urge to cry. “He did?” It feels… special. Something just for me and Hawk. Suddenly, even my lack of access to any shadowcraft is meaningless. “I’ve not had any time to think about a future for us. I based a lot of my research in shadowcraft, but since I have a Bright Companion, I shall devote myself to figuring out everything I possibly can about the Sunwolf.”

I look into his black eyes. Perhaps I should be frightened, but I sense so much love and warmth in his strange gaze. Nothing scares me about Hawk. Not the sharp teeth, nor the golden tattoos on his face.

“Should I… tell them you’re awake?” Hawk asks, but I shake my head and wrap my arms around his thick biceps, just enjoying the warmth of his body.

“Not yet. Give me a few more moments with you in silence. We have all the time in the world.”

Hawk nuzzles my ear with a shivery sigh. “You are my forever.”