“I shouldn’t have charmed—” I begin, but Drystan silences me with a look.
“Actually, that’s the first good decision you’ve made since you decided to walk into a stable with a feral shifter—which I ought to spank your ass red for doing. His wolf wasn’t letting him return. It was the only logical choice, and one that spared the rest of us more injuries.” He pauses. “You may have just saved his life.”
I… Am I going insane? Did Drystan just… praise me?
Do not glow. Damn it, I’m glowing, aren’t I?
I crouch beside Jaro’s sleeping form and brush a lock of his hair back. “Will he be back to normal when he wakes up?”
“No feral has ever shifted back before,” Drystan says. “No one can guess how he’ll be.”
“He’s a Guard,” Kitarni reminds me gently. “He’s immortal. He may carry some scars, but we must trust the Goddess will protect her own.”
“I’ll get him inside,” Drystan grunts, hefting Jaro across his shoulders.
If they were both human, the hold would’ve been impossible. Jaro is much larger, and even someone with Drystan’s physique would’ve struggled. Fortunately, fae strength makes the size difference a non-issue.
Kitarni draws me into a one-armed hug as he carries Jaro out, Wraith limping behind them with a last look at me. The scent of the blossom in the dryad’s hair fills my nose as she draws back and pats my shoulder.
“You should go back inside, too. Drystan is more than capable of tending to Wraith and Jaromir.”
Without a logical reason to refuse, I let her bring me back to where Bree is still waiting in the parlour.
“Any news?” I ask as soon as I see him.
He nods. “A message came from Madoc. They were successful, though Caed is severely injured.”
“He will heal.” Kitarni brushes the issue off. “Their success is all that matters. For now, we should focus on our next steps.
“Our next steps?” Bree asks, cat ears shifting on top of his head. “I thought we were leaving.”
Kitarni nods. “I know our plan was to leave immediately, but I think it’s prudent to stay one more night and assess Jaro’s condition when he wakes.”
“Whatever Jaro needs,” I whisper. “I can’t believe…” I run both hands through my hair, mussing the braids as helplessness settles heavily on my shoulders. “We can leave in the morning.”
“I’ll find you when I know how he is,” Kitarni promises. “For now…”
Her pause is heavy, and I groan. “For the love of—Please don’t tell me to rest. I’ve had enough.” I pace away from them both. “I’ll find something to do. Just… go and help Jaro.”
Kitarni does one of those hasty little half-bows and hurries from the room.
Twenty-Eight
Rhoswyn
The second the door has closed behind her, I turn on Bree.
“I want to see Caed.”
The púca blinks, ears twitching, but otherwise appears unsurprised. “You mean to heal him.”
“I know he was tortured.” They’ve tiptoed around the subject, but it’s obvious that’s what happened. “I can heal him. I want to. I just need to get to him.”
The word ‘please’ lingers on the back of my tongue, but I hold it back. I swore I’d never charm Bree again, and I mean to keep that promise.
He huffs and wraps his arms around his stomach, his hands running over his tattoos for the hundredth time.
“I suppose I do owe him for my part in his capture.” He sighs, eyes going heavenward as he thinks my request through. “They were taking him to Madoc’s daughter’s home. It’s not far, but we should fly to avoid drawing attention.”
