Chapter 41 #2
“Men are so fucking weird,” I said shakily as I pulled out my phone, seeing a message from Willow. I’d called her to tell her about Wyatt, and she’d cackled so loudly, I’d hung up on her. I looked down at the last text she’d sent me.
Willow
Should I call my parents?
Me
Zephyr is refusing to heal Wyatt. How’s Dani feel about a Royal escort to the Gulf?
Willow
She says that is literally insane. Will Zephyr be there?
I rolled my eyes.
Me
Obviously
Willow
*big smiling emoji* Can Mia and I come?
I glanced at Rafe, who was watching the text conversation over my shoulder. His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. His gaze dropped to my lips again, then he nodded.
“Whatever she wants, consider it done.”
“Should one of us go get them?” I asked.
“Too dangerous for you,” Rafe replied quickly. “I’ll get them, if Dani’s alright with that.”
I chuckled uneasily, remembering the last time Rafe had shadow-walked with Dani. He hadn’t explained that Aiden needed help, he just grabbed Dani and brought her to the dorm, so she’d thought she was being kidnapped.
Me
Yes. Rafe says Dani can have the key to the Palace if she lets him shadow-walk her.
Rafe breathed a laugh, then pulled out his own phone to make a call, and I shamelessly watched his ass as he walked away from me. He was wearing the same too-tight, ripped jeans he always seemed to have on, only they slouched slightly at his waist, revealing a strip of his designer boxers.
My libido was going to kill me.
A heavy wave of warmth met my back, and I felt Aiden curl around me slightly before his lips met the shell of my ear. “Should I start wearing tight jeans?” he whispered.
I shivered, then turned and kissed him. I felt him smile against my lips, and he kissed me back easily, shifting so he could pull us closer together.
A throat cleared from nearby, and I reluctantly pulled away. Aiden didn’t let go of me, only looking over my head at whoever had interrupted us.
A doctor stood several feet away, his hands clasped in front of him. His eyes darted around warily, and I almost smiled when I realized he was looking for Rafe.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Ms. Aria, Mr. Craig is refusing medication.” The doctor twisted his fingers together. “The Prince told me–”
“Don’t worry about the Prince,” I said, waving my hand dismissively. “Take me to Mr. Craig.”
The doctor deflated with a heavy sigh. “Very well.”
“No fucking way,” Wyatt said. His arms were crossed, and he had his head angled away from us, clearly dismissing the conversation. “I don’t need a Healer. How do I even know that’s what she is?”
Rafe sighed, long and dramatic, then pinched the bridge of his nose. “Wyatt…”
“You are such an ass!” Willow cried, throwing her hands up. “She healed Aiden!”
“What was there to heal? Skye’s the one that saved him.” Wyatt said, turning his head even further.
I groaned. Wyatt was such a self-sabotaging asshole. Why did he do shit like this? We’d made such good progress after our fight, and now this. I couldn’t believe it wasn’t even twenty-four hours ago that I was inviting him into my bed.
“Oh, my God. We were all there, Wyatt, you’re the one that decided to leave and then conveniently show back up at the end of the fight.” Willow said, exasperated.
Wyatt’s jaw dropped. “Get out of my face, Willow.”
“No!” Willow raised her voice, leaning closer to Wyatt’s face.
Aiden tried to hide a snicker from behind me. I flashed him a warning look over my shoulder, and he rolled his lips between his teeth, giving me wide, innocent eyes.
“Wyatt, come on. We have somewhere we need to go. I just need you to cooperate.” Rafe almost sounded like he was pleading.
“I can heal myself in a few days. Go somewhere without me.”
“Leave him, Willow. If he wants to wallow, why should we stop him?” Mia sneered.
Wyatt only narrowed his eyes at her.
“I’ve had enough of this.” Willow pointed at Dani, who’d been gathering her braids into a ponytail at the top of her head. “Dani, heal him anyway.”
Dani looked to Wyatt, taking a small step forward, then pausing when he sat up straighter.
“You better not touch me,” Wyatt warned.
“What are you gonna do, huh?” Dani took a step closer, and Wyatt bristled, his hands clenching into fists.
“Don’t underestimate me,” he replied, his voice low.
I shivered, then smacked a hand over my eyes. This was not the fucking time to be horny. Wyatt being stubborn was not hot.
“You hurt her and I’ll break your other femur,” Mia said darkly, taking a step toward the bed. Wyatt tensed even further as he leaned away, which was interesting. He was afraid of Mia?
“Holy shit, everyone calm the fuck down.” I stepped between Dani and Wyatt, putting my back to everyone as I faced Wyatt. I crossed my arms. “You’re getting healed.”
Wyatt started to shake his head, but I shook mine back. “It’s not a question, Wyatt. You’re getting healed. There was a tsunami off of Alaska and Rafe has to be there. We’re going with him. It’s not a fucking question. Stop being a pain in the ass.”
Wyatt clenched his jaw, looking over my shoulder to Rafe, who was in the corner, looking pained.
I can’t keep watching this, Wyatt. You’re punishing more than just yourself. Rafe spoke to all of us. I’ll be right here.
For the first time in hours, Wyatt’s expression softened, and he blinked several times. Whether he was holding back tears or coming back to the real world after disassociating, I’d never know, but he relaxed. He melted back into the pillows, looking at the ceiling in defeat.
I looked to Dani, nodding my head toward Wyatt.
Dani dove forward, realizing that Wyatt’s window of compliance was small.
As her hand landed on his thigh, Wyatt bristled slightly, fisting his hands and fighting to keep calm.
I placed my own hand on his shoulder, then leaned into him.
He turned his face toward me, burying his nose against my stomach as he breathed in heavily, fighting the pain from the healing.
It would’ve been significantly lessened had he been healed sooner, or at least taken some pain meds, but he was a stubborn fuck, and Rafe’s words had revealed a lot.
Wyatt was punishing himself, and I didn’t think it was because he’d lost the fight.
Zephyr, I reached out to my brother.
No, he replied.
Don’t be a dick. I got a Healer here. My Chain is leaving for Alaska as soon as Wyatt can walk.
Zephyr was silent for several seconds. What’s in Alaska?
Tsunami victims. Rafe has to go.
More silence.
I want to go.
I sighed, and Rafe’s dark eyes caught mine. He always knew when I was speaking to someone. Zephyr wants to come with us, I told him.
Rafe pursed his lips, fighting a grin. That’ll certainly make things interesting.
I fought my own smile, then told Zephyr, Get everything settled. We’ll discuss logistics about Levi when I’m done here.