Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Both of my sisters hugged me tightly, telling me they would contact our aunt Daileeum, our uncle Varkin, and our cousins while I traveled back to my chambers to tell Kole.
Too excited to move at a normal pace, I mistphased back to my chambers, then jumped onto the bed to wake my still slumbering mate. Sunlight peeked around the curtain’s corners, but it was still early enough that Betsee wouldn’t be by for a while.
I kneeled beside Kole, the soft covers dipping beneath me, and his eyes cracked open. Loose hair ruffled over his forehead, but the second he became aware of my bursting energy strumming to him along our bond, his eyes opened more.
“Did something happen?” he asked in a thick voice filled with sleep.
“Yes.” I tried to contain my excitement, but it was too difficult to hide.
“While you were sleeping, I was in the library with my sisters, and Koraline found something that may help us. Did you know that the Lochen fae have many temples throughout the realm that they use to contact the gods and goddesses of our universe, and if you have the blessing of the Lochen royals, other fae can use them?” I didn’t wait for him to answer and pressed on.
“Usually, the Lochen are unsuccessful in their attempts, but Koraline found a reference that stated they have made contact with gods and goddesses several times over the centuries, so that’s where we need to go.
We need to ask the Lochen for help.” I practically clapped with glee, and I was pretty sure my eyes were unusually bright, and not in a good way.
“I didn’t even think using Lochen temples was an option, but if we can be blessed by one of their royals, and we actually know one royal Lochen fairy, then this may work. ”
Kole chuckled and lifted himself onto an elbow, then cocked his head. “Is it your aunt who’s married to a Lochen fairy?”
I nearly squealed. “Yes, my aunt Daileeum, my mother’s sister, and I have three part-Lochen cousins, although I’m not sure if they’re considered royal. Koraline and Lillith are contacting them right now.”
He chuckled again, taking in my appearance, and I could only imagine what I looked like. With a stretch, he reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and took a drink.
The movement made it impossible not to be drawn in by the pulse in his neck and steady thud of his heart that echoed through my ears with each swallow. With his blood calling to me, my attention zeroed in on his artery, my focus waylaying.
Disgust instantly reared in me. My mate was slowly turning into a vamfeer, was likely running another fever, and I was lusting after his blood.
Kole set the empty glass back down and shifted closer to me.
I sat frozen, entirely still, as I stared at his throat. Vile, you’re absolutely vile, Primelle.
His eyes narrowed, and it took me all of zero seconds to realize he understood what I was feeling since the bond betrayed me.
“It’s been a while since you fed, my love.” He tilted his neck, just slightly, but it was enough of an invitation that I knew what he was offering. “Are you hungry?”
Venom flooded my mouth, and my fangs began to lengthen.
“Oh, Kole,” I said more in despair than anything. Once again, my cursed new nature began to overtake me. I brought a hand to my mouth, and I tried with everything I had to push my urges down and stop the dark hunger inside me. “No. You’re sick. And I’m sorry. Gods, I’m so sorry to react this way.”
“It’s all right, Princess.” His love undulated toward me along our bond.
“I don’t feel that sick yet. I slept well, and the fever-suppressing potions are helping, and like you already know, my infection can’t hurt you.
So for the time being, I’m still here. And as long as I am, I’m always here for whatever you need. ”
He angled his head more and began to caress my leg.
My focus again fixed on his neck, but he was still sick, and he was still growing weaker.
I shook my head firmly. “No. You need your strength.”
“Primelle, my love, let me do this for you.”
But I leaned down and kissed him tenderly. “No, my love. I won’t take that from you, not until you’re well again. You need all of your strength, but once I save you . . .” I ran my tongue along his throat, and his breath hitched. “Then I’ll taste you again. But not until then.”
It wasn’t hard for Koraline and Lillith to contact our Lochen relatives and fill them in on why I was in need of them, and once their dillemsill replied that they were happy to do whatever was needed, Kole and I mistphased out of the palace with Koraline and Lillith waving goodbye and wishing us good luck.
When we arrived at my relative’s estate in the western portion of Mistvale, a very boisterous Valeena answered the door.
“Oh, I’m so excited you’re here!” My youngest cousin burst forward, squealing and pulling me into a hug.
But just as fast, she pulled back, and I wondered if she was going to comment on my temperature, but instead, she said, “Is it weird that I’m excited to see you, even when your mate is—” She side-eyed Kole, a guilty look overtaking her expression.
I laughed, unable to help it. “No, it’s not weird at all. I’m delighted to see you too.”
Valeena grinned and called over her shoulder for her brothers, Vasper and Vordem.
“Hurry up!” she yelled. “Koraline and Lillith said time is of the essence, and Father is already at work.” She turned back to me.
“Mother isn’t here, so I’m sure she’ll have missed seeing you too, but I’ll give her a kiss for you.
And I wish I could help you directly, but I’m afraid I know nothing of the Lochen temples.
Father’s our best bet for how you can use one. ”
I squeezed her hands. “Thank you.”
Vasper and Vordem careened down the stairwell, pulling on waistcoats and still getting dressed from the looks of it, but everyone looked surprisingly awake for such an early hour. However, the second Vasper began talking, I understood why.
The twins were breathless when they reached us, but they merely nodded at me before staring reverently at Kole.
“We were told that we may be able to save an Imperial Warrior today.” Both of the twins looked at Kole with awe.
Kole had been quiet since arriving, letting me speak and catch up with Valeena, but at my cousin’s revered stares, he dipped his head. “I shall be in your debt if you’re able to help me.”
The twins gazed at Kole’s sword, strapped to his back as always, with wide eyes.
Valeena elbowed them. “Stars and galaxy. Quit gaping! You two are acting like you’ve never seen a sword before.”
“Well, we haven’t,” Vordem replied, his attention never leaving Kole. “Not an Imperial Warrior’s sword at least.”
“Would you like to touch it?” Kole asked and unsheathed his sword with such fluid precision that it was apparent he’d done such an act thousands of times.
Vasper and Vordem went slack-jawed, and I couldn’t help but giggle, but Valeena merely rolled her eyes. “Males, seriously. They never grow up.”
After many touches and caresses to Kole’s sword, we were finally in their carriage on our way to the nearby village where Varkin’s business was located.
The entire way, Vasper and Vordem listened avidly as Kole recounted a few of his previous assignments with the Imperial Council, and each of my cousins asked for more details and wanted to know exactly what Kole felt and saw in each battle.
Valeena, on the other hand, was the perfect tour guide as she pointed out every landmark and estate that we passed along the way.
My uncle’s business was situated inland on one of the many rivers that drained into the Nelive Sea. Valeena kept up her commentary while Kole appeased the males, and it helped pass the time until the carriage stopped outside of a two-story facility by the river.
Obviously having received word from the dillemsill that we would be arriving soon, Varkin was waiting outside.
He was exactly as I remembered him. Light-brown skin, green Lochen eyes, and small canines that were visible in his grin.
“What a pleasant surprise.” He opened the carriage door for us. “Although, I’m still a bit confused about what’s occurred. Something about a temple?”
We all got out of the carriage, and Valeena blew a strand of hair out of her eyes.
“Yes, Father, a temple is right. Primelle and her Imperial Warrior are in need of one. Quite quickly, too, from the sounds of it. I told them you were our best bet at finding one and contacting a priestess to aid them.”
Varkin canted his head. “May I ask why?”
I glanced at Kole, but he answered for me, “We need to contact Goddess Nuleef. My life depends on it.”
Varkin’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, and I peered up at him with anxious eyes. “Can you help us? Please? If we can’t find a way to contact the goddess, my mate will either die or suffer a fate worse than death.”