Of course, she would be. Who knows what she went through the week I’d been in hiding. Guilt draped over me like a wet blanket. Could I have done more to get her out?
Yosef rubbed my arm. “Nothing’s your fault. You did the biggest thing for us all.”
Could he read my mood? And had Yosef always been this nurturing? I didn’t remember. Maybe the cold-hearted jerk was actually a softie. He sure was loving up on me. I decided I didn’t mind it at all. Hell, I really did miss him. There was someone else I also missed. I leaned forward and looked to the front of the car but didn’t recognize either soldier in the driver and front passenger seat. “Where’s Xander?”
“He’s fine. We’ll meet him at the house. He’s with Melina.”
I really needed to see Xander. He worried me because I knew he could be a loose cannon. Also, I missed the hell out of that crazy vampire fae. I could only imagine what our reunion would be like. I was ready. My heart squeezed at just the thought. It scared me how much I missed him. How I longed to talk to him and engage in our silly banter. A crazy thought entered my mind. One that wondered if I could bond with a fae that wasn’t an alpha.
Was I really considering that? Had my mind gone soft with Luca and Yosef? I really enjoyed setting myself up for pain. The agony of losing all three would be torturous enough without bonds. I could fight my feelings, but I was already all in.
Damn it.
Another thought entered my head. “I have to get home.”
Yosef’s thighs tensed under me. “You just got back.”
“No, I know, but I need to get word to my people. They need to know the dark mages are being helped by the Nodoorian fae. They could be selling witches off just like the Nodoorian are selling off fae for whatever the dark mages are doing with them. I can’t just sit on this knowledge.”
Yosef sighed. “I know. I know. I’ll talk to the court.”
I untensed and dropped back down in his lap. The tiny effort to even look ahead was already exhausting me. I didn’t want to leave these men, but now I had no choice.
* * *
XANDER
Ibrought Melina to the infirmary and stayed with her until her friends and parents appeared. My mind itched to get back to the house and see Lila and even Luca. Although Yosef had shared through our communicators that they were safe, I needed to see for myself. To touch Lila, hear her voice, inhale her. My mind had been unfocused for the past week. Even with Yosef making contact, all I could think about was the time she went silent. What was she doing? Was she alright?
When I got to Yosef’s, everyone was gathered in his living room except Lila. “Where is she?”
Yosef, who was sitting on the sofa, looked up from his cup of tea. “In her room, asleep.”
I headed toward the stairs.
“Don’t bother her,” Yosef barked. “She’s exhausted.”
I balled my fists in frustration. I was practically shaking. “I want…I need to—”
“I understand, my friend,” Yosef cut in. “But she gave every ounce of herself today. We need to let her rest. We owe her that. I’d tell you to have a seat, but you’re still covered in blood.”
I looked over to Luca, sitting beside Yosef, a hand clasped over his. I knew they shared a bond and more. It made me a third wheel at times, but I didn’t care. “How’d you find her?”
Luca raised a brow. “Didn’t she say? In the prison.”
Yosef nodded. “That’s what she said, but she didn’t get into the details.”
I heard a huff laced with annoyance behind me. I turned slightly to see Zelda looking down at my boot-covered feet. “You are tracking dirt everywhere. Take those things off, and don’t you dare sit down until I get a blanket. Do you want anything to eat or drink?”
I bent forward and unlaced my boots. “Something strong and nerve-numbing, please.”
She gave me a curt nod and spun around. I kicked off my boots and put them near the door. Walking back, Zelda was already placing a blanket on a cushioned chair, my drink sitting on the side table. I took a long sip, relishing the burn. My injuries sizzled still, but I didn’t let anyone treat me at the infirmary. There were too many others who needed more attention, and I didn’t mind the pain. It let me relive the slaughter of the countless Nodoorians I killed.
I looked back over to Luca. If I couldn’t talk to Lila now, I needed to know more about her time away. Something to distract me. “Tell us more. You found her in the prison, how?”
Luca leaned forward and put his drink down on the table. “She’s part dragon, and I scented her. She didn’t realize.”
I was still wrapping my head around that one. She’d told Yosef that, and I wasn’t doubting it, especially after she bonded with Luca. I knew she was special. I was only jealous that I didn’t have a bond with her like the others. “So, you just sniffed her out.”
