Page 96 of Siren’s Secret

Chapter 49 – Wave

This time when Wave woke up, she knew where she was before she opened her eyes. What she didn’t know was why there was an unfamiliar heartbeat under her cheek. She knew Irishen’s heartbeat and could pick out Jarred’s steady, strong rhythm easily. The chest below her belonged to neither.

“Easy there, sparkle,” a voice murmured softly.

Marc. Why was she lying on top of Marc? Where were her mate and Claimed?

“You were tossing and turning in your sleep,” Marc explained without her having to ask. “Jarred’s out tracing some scent with Justin and Irishen had to head out to sort something out for Ginny, Chrissy, and Di, at his place. He’ll be back soon.”

“Mmh?”

“We moved them there after the attack. Today is Friday. You’ve been asleep for a little over two days. Ilijas says it’s normal with the amount of poison you got into your system.”

Wave swallowed painfully, her throat was so dry. Marc sat up slowly, pulling Wave with him, and then a straw pressed against her lips.

“Drink up. Do you need to go to the bathroom?”

Wave shook her head. She felt dizzy and disoriented, and her eyes still refused to open. She yawned.

“Sleep, sparkle. I’ll keep watch until your mate gets back. Okay?”

“Mm-kay.”

His soft humming lulled her back to sleep in seconds.

Grandfather and Father were fighting again. Wave tried not to listen. She had been told to play with her dollhouse, but when she heard her own name, her ears perked up.

“I will not have Wayla paraded around like a prize pony,” Father snapped.

“She’s the probable heir after you. She needs to—”

“No! You have your lunches with her. She’s on a first-name basis with the Lord of Hell. That is enough. I’m not announcing her to the general population!” Father shouted while Grandfather huffed.

“Why are you clinging to this cloak-and-dagger nonsense, Gileas? Her name provides her more protection, protection you are keeping from her. At least let me tell the rest of the family.”

“No.” Now Father looked thunderous. “I vow as long as I live, she will not claim the Stormwell name.”

A hand landed on her shoulder and Wave glanced up at the demon standing behind her.

“Come, droplet. Let’s practice that shielding again,” Uncle Essi said with a grim smile.

“Okay,” Wave replied and scrambled to her feet. She threw one look at the closed door, but then followed the demon outside. Shielding lessons were her favorites.

A hand shook her shoulder. “Time to wake up, mate.”

“Five more minutes,” Wave grumbled.

“None of that. You need to get up, shower, and eat something. Then you can sleep more.” Irishen refused to let her fall back to sleep.

“I don’t wanna,” she whined and snuggled into—her eyes flew open and met Marc’s steady gaze.

“Good evening, sparkle,” he said with a soft smile.

“I—you—what…” She was at a loss for words. Why was he still in the bed with her when Risha was here? Her mate seemed to read her unspoken question because he answered.

“You clung to him and started to fret in your sleep when he tried to leave.”

“I didn’t,” she immediately shot out hoarsely.