Chapter 60
Derrick opened his eyes to see Lucie still resting peacefully.
His eyes wandered over her swollen face, and his chest tightened.
She had endured so much. He wished there was a way he could take it on himself.
Take the pain and the wounds. If only the soulmate bond would allow such a thing. He would do it in a heartbeat.
He stayed there watching her for a few more minutes before he eased himself away, crept to the door, and shut it quietly behind him.
“Abe,” Derrick said quietly.
“I’m here,” Abe said as he materialized in front of him.
“I want you to watch over her in case she wakes up. I’m going to go and talk with her family.
I’m sure they’re anxiously waiting to hear how she is.
If she wakes, come and get me immediately.
” Derrick watched Abe nod his head. “Thank you, Abe … for going above and beyond trying to locate her.” He smiled at Abe and walked past him, patting the man on the shoulder. A simple gesture, but it spoke volumes.
Derrick made his way down the winding stairs and back to the main floor.
His eyes widened in surprise, shocked to see all of her family sitting there, waiting.
The younger generation took to the floor on bean bags and blankets while chairs were brought in for everyone else.
Everyone was waiting for him to tell them about Lucie.
They didn’t even want to leave the lower door because of their concern for Lucie.
A smile crept over his face. They all loved his little mate so much.
Jasper jumped to his feet, followed by Aedan and Justice. Hunter and Freja also stood up and stepped closer to Derrick. Everyone was quiet, waiting anxiously to hear his report.
“She’s resting again,” Derrick said softly. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He’d seen Lucie’s memories, and it made him nauseous having to recall them. Better him than Lucie, though.
“He’d been forcing her to ingest a magic blocker.
And when she fought against him or was disobedient, he punished her.
His punishments mainly consisted of hitting her and choking her.
He was trying to condition her. He did force his lips on her as well …
” Derrick shook his head as he breathed out angrily.
“But thankfully, he was so conceited that he didn’t force more than that.
He expected her to want him and was waiting for that.
She stayed defiant and spirited though, all the way up to the moment Ken rescued her. ”
Derrick watched as Alexa’s lips quivered, and she turned into Raine.
Her mate had saved Lucie. He risked his own self to save her cousin, and all because he knew Alexa was hurting.
Lucie had endured everything just for her, too.
Derrick was sure this was emotional for Alexa in more ways than one, especially since Ken had stressed again that he was going to continue to avoid her.
“She’s okay, though. Besides her physical wounds, surprisingly, her mental state seems much better. In fact, it felt the same, at least for now. The moment everything flowed between us, she was okay. She’s strong … stronger than me,” Derrick said with a quiet sob.
To see everything she went through and to know he couldn’t have done a thing about it was killing him.
Even if he was there, he wasn’t strong enough to save her.
The punishment his sweet mate endured was senseless and cruel, and seeing the memories of what she went through hurt him.
Now that he was away from Lucie, he was able to release some of that pain.
Jasper walked up to Derrick and clutched the back of his head. He leaned his forehead against his, and they stood there quietly not needing to say anything.
Brody pulled Chelsie into his chest as other couples quietly held their partners close.
Freja leaned into Hunter and cried softly.
Jin also wept against Chasen’s chest while Levi held Reiya close.
Lita and Asher stood next to each other holding hands.
There was a wide range of emotions, relief and anger being the primary ones.
They had all been worried about how Lucie would be affected after what happened.
No one knew exactly what she had been through and how she would handle it.
Brian, Aedan, Mikah, and Justice were angry. They didn’t like the idea of having to wait until Erebus was caught. They all wanted to see the man dead now.
“I know there’s a lot of anger about what happened to Lucie.
But we must leave this up to Levi and the other deities.
” Xander finally spoke, his words filled with deep conviction.
“But there is something the dragons can focus on now, and that is this witch. I’ll be leading a small group in a search for her.
Brian will lead another group. I know he has some pent-up frustration to let out. ”
“Hell yeah I do,” Brian growled.
“You wolves continue to stay out of this fight. Our family has had enough pain these past two weeks. We won’t risk suffering more from something happening to any of you.
” Xander looked at Hunter. “I’ll send Reese and a couple of others to the Black Ice Pack for now, so please stay here while Lucie is recovering. ”
Hunter didn’t put up a fight. Reese was a strong dragon, and right now, he couldn’t leave his daughter. Not yet, not after everything that had happened. “Yes, we’ll stay here.” He felt Freja nod her head against his side. She didn’t want to leave Lucie either.
“One more thing. It seems Erebus plans to claim the witch’s soul after her death. We’re going to have to think about how we wish to handle pursuing her.” Derrick looked around the group, seeing all the nods in agreement.
“Well, we at least need to capture her by any means necessary. We can’t have another threat on the loose.” Hunter sighed. This was something else they would have to take into consideration.
“I want to see her,” Aedan whispered, looking up at Derrick.
Derrick nodded his head. “I’ll talk to her and let you know when she’s ready. We could use some button-up shirts for now, while she’s still mending, as well as some other clothes so I can get her cleaned up. How long will it take for her to regain her healing or for someone to be able to heal her?”
“I tried to heal her, and it didn’t work at all.
I honestly don’t know. But we’ll keep trying.
My best guess is it should only take a couple of days.
Abe would probably have more experience with this stuff than me,” Lita admitted.
It was weird referring to the half-demon and even depending on him for information.
But she had seen the difference, and this Abaas was not the same.
This was not the demon that had hunted the fairy princesses, and after seeing his backstory, she actually felt sorry for him.
“I want to get back to her before she wakes up. Jasper, you can stay here for now. I know you want to be able to see her too. In a few days, though, I would like for you to return to lead the vampires in battle and the search for the witch.” Derrick watched as Jasper nodded his head in understanding.
“In a few days, he won’t need to be in battle. I’ll have that witch’s army burnt to ashes and she will be captured,” Brian snorted with a smirk.
“I hope you do.” Derrick smiled tiredly as he turned to head back up the stairs. Upon entering the room again, he saw Abe sitting next to the bed watching over Lucie, who stirred. Her eyes opened and she glanced around the room. Derrick quickly made his way over to her.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Abe asked, wanting to be of some assistance.
“Food,” Lucie said with a smile. “I’m starving.”
Derrick chuckled and brushed her hair from her cheek with the back of his hand. The satisfying sparks and tingles surged through him. He’d really missed that feeling. “Food sounds incredible. Everyone wants to see you. Whenever you’re ready, that is.”
“I’ll see anyone who gets me out of bed rest,” Lucie said with a cheesy smile that both Derrick and Abe were not amused by.
“Sorry, Lucie. You have to heal the human way for now.” Derrick grinned as he listened to her aggravated thoughts.
“I’ll bring up some food and fresh clothes.” Abe lowered his head in a slight bow before he vanished from the room.
“It feels so weird not having my powers. I can’t even shift right now,” Lucie said with a pout.
“It’ll be good for you to rest and take things slow for a couple of days. I’ll be right here by your side, I promise.” Derrick eased onto the bed next to her and helped adjust her upward into his chest.
“Don’t do this, please. There’s nothing you could have done.
If anything, you could have gotten killed.
I’m not glass. I’m okay. I’m angry and frustrated that a deity can be that powerful, but I’m okay.
We’re okay,” Lucie whispered as she played with Derrick’s fingers.
She could feel his protectiveness seeping into her.
He was going overboard. Thinking he would never leave her side wasn’t practical.
Though for now, having him constantly next to her was exactly what she wanted.
It was what they both wanted and needed.
“I can’t ever lose you, Lucie. I can’t live without you. I won’t live without you.”
“I need you too.” She felt him lift her hand to his mouth, his lips brushing her fingertips with delicate kisses. “You know, I’ve been moving around just fine even with broken ribs. I don’t need to lay in bed.”
“Nice try, little mate. But it isn’t going to happen.
Besides, you have an army of family members down there that will kill me if I let you walk around.
” Derrick chuckled. “You have an amazing family, Lucie. They’re all just sitting at the bottom of the stairs, waiting to hear how you’re doing.
They’re all here for you. They love you. ”
“I know.” Lucie smiled. “They really are the best. After I get cleaned up, they can come up. I’d at least like to get this dried blood off me.
And to have clothes on. Besides … I have something I want to give Alexa.
” She looked up at Derrick, and he chuckled, already knowing what she was going to give her.
“Here are your clothes,” Abe said, appearing in the room. “They’re having dinner prepared for the two of you.”
“Tell them to have a family dinner prepared. I’d like to eat dinner with everyone,” Lucie said, and Abe’s eyes lit up.
“They’ll be very happy to hear this. I’ll let them know.”
“That includes you too, Abe.” Lucie watched as his eyes flickered slightly. They appeared to water for a moment but cleared quickly. He nodded his head with a smile.
“Abe, I’m going to get Lucie cleaned up. So if you need us, make sure to use the door.” Abe chuckled, nodding once before flashing out again.
“Are you sure you’re up for everyone at the same time?”
“Yes. It will be nice for everything to feel normal.” Lucie sighed and looked down at herself. “I really want a bath bath.”
“I know you do. Let’s start with this for now, okay? You’ll be healed in no time, and you’ll be able to get that bath you’re dreaming about. I’m feeling a little bit jealous. I think you missed the bathtub more than you missed me.”
Lucie giggled and winced. “Don’t make me laugh.”
Derrick leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
He brought back a basin with water and sat it near the side of the bed.
He pulled the sheet down and unbuttoned the shirt her father had left for her when Lita was tending to her wounds.
Sucking in air through his teeth, his gaze trailed over her body.
His eyes met hers and began to water again. His poor little mate.