I shook my head. “Not yet.”
“Very odd.”
“I have a ward,” Jalisa croaked.
I looked down and found her smacking her lips, her eyes barely opened. A relieved sigh rushed out of me. “Do you need water?”
“Yes, please.”
I filled a glass of water from a pitcher on the side table. She sat up before I could help her and took the water.
“What do you mean you had a ward?” Oliver asked, leaning toward her in anticipation.
She nodded slowly, her eyes more open now, although she still looked incredibly tired. “Yeah, I have a body ward. Got one afterIvan was hurt from that ward. I know I’m an omega, and I need the extra protection.”
“I didn’t see a ward aura over you when I did your treatment.”
She squeezed the bridge of her nose, yawning. “Guess it was a one-time thing and fighting the poison was all it could do. It did its job I suppose. I did get it on sale after all.”
I rolled my eyes. “Love, I told you not to get a cheap ward, you have the money to get something good.”
She cut her eyes at me. “No, my family has the money to get something good. I’m just a working-class bartender with a savings I need to be careful about using up.”
I eyed the stubborn faerie, patiently. “Well, I would think getting a good ward would be worth the money. Not to mention I offered to buy it.”
She looked appalled, her upper lip curling in a silent snarl. “I don’t need to ask you for anything else.”
Oliver chuckled, a confused look his face. “Don’t be silly, you’re husband and wife, of course he should help you. In fact, you might want to consider getting claimed now for added protection. You both have targets on your backs and shouldn’t be taking chances.”
She grimaced, and I tried hard not to take offense to that. She looked quickly to Oliver, suddenly remembering that we were supposed to be happy newlyweds in love. She relaxed her face and reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “Sometimes I forget I’m not on my own anymore and we’re a team.”
Oliver gave an understanding smile. “Well, stay close to one another and do all you can to keep each other safe.” He pointed between us. “I like seeing you two together. I really am happy for you, Jalisa. For you both. I’ll leave you two to talk. You’re staying here overnight, and in the morning, you can go home.”
We both nodded and watched as he left, Pilar returning as he exited. She touched her chest and let out a breath. “So gladyou’re awake. I was very worried. We got the rag we think was poisoned. Someone’s going to drop it by here for testing. Maybe that might give us some answers.”
While I was thankful for the attempt, I knew better than to think it would lead to much. Anyone with means could get a poison, even a magic based one. We needed to confront our families and narrow down the list. At this point, I was certain it was someone who was against the treaty marriages or maybe an enemy I’d earned from an action I took during the war. However, if we didn’t do something differently, we were eventually going to lose each other. Again.
Chapter Ten
Ivan
Jalisa was released from the infirmary the following day, and I hovered over her like a mother with a newborn. Naturally, she loved the attention.
“You’re breathing cold air on my neck,” she growled as she angrily sliced meat for the sandwich she insisted on making herself at the kitchen island.
I took a step back, knowing full well that was not enough space but amused by her annoyance. “I told you I could cook for you.”
She turned sideways to me, a smirk on her face. “I thought the goal was to make me feel better.”
I slapped my chest. “You’re being a smart ass again, I suppose you really are better.”
She looked back to her food, her features pinched together in momentary displeasure. For a moment, I retreated from my admission that she was fine. She definitely wasn’t back to normal. “I told you I was. You don’t need to worry.”
I moved from behind her and walked to her side, leaning on the island as I watched her continue to make her sandwich. I inhaled deeply. Her scent was overpowering, as if no other smell in the realm existed. I didn’t acknowledge it aloud. If Jalisa had a specialized magic, it would be the power to remain stubborn no matter how strong the evidence against her. However, I would allow her to play this out for as long as reasonable. She needed to believe that she made the rules, even if the situation was beyond her control. It used to annoy me, but I understood her now to know it gave her strength and purpose. Made her into the faerie that I loved. “Surely you jest. You think there’s nothing to worry about? Someone’s trying to kill us both, and I think I know who.”
She placed the bread on top of her sandwich but didn’t cut it, a slight tremor in her hand. “Who?”
I’d been thinking a lot about this since my first attack, and after the most recent scare with Jalisa, I cemented it. “Our parents are trying to kill us. You said your family threatened to kill me years ago if you didn’t break up with me. Then the moment they find out we’re back together-”
