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Sadi assessed the court each time they returned from battle. Where he’d been was no different.
“She was fighting with your shields like a newborn kitten,” Morbid answered. “I told her she needed to worry if the shields suddenly dropped. If they are regenerating, they must be pulling power from a source that lives.”
“Where are the others?” Rune asked.
“They’re still recovering.” She tapped his shoulder indicating for him to turn around so she could finish her inspection.
“I am well.” Rune met her gaze, nodding at her.
Sadi narrowed her eyes at him before continuing her task. “You were missing for more than an hour. I couldn’t reach you. I couldn’t feel you.” Sadi’s gaze flitted over his body. Assessing, tallying, then her gaze rose back to his chest. She pressed two fingers to his sternum.
Pain wracked Rune and he growled.
“How did you fracture your ribcage in so many places?” Sadi rubbed her eyes, beginning to look more like herself. She raised her hand over his chest. “I don’t have the strength to heal you completely,” she said as heat seeped through his chest, into his back.
“Come now. The Shadow Prince needs to rest and recuperate.” Morbid took his daughter by the elbow, leading her away before she could finish, and said over his shoulder, “We’ll be in the north wing.”
We have much to discuss. Rune sent the thought to Morbid as he closed his bedroom door.
He glanced down at the sleeping woman in his bed. His queen.
Would she want to wake in his bed? Perhaps he should join her in the adjoining room, and she could decide for herself in the morning.
Rune gathered her in his arms, collecting his sheet with her. With a hiss he lifted her and carried her to her bed. She grumbled in her sleep, clinging to him. Her nails biting into his back. Every step was agony, but he was too drained to use his power.
He cursed in High Tongue and lowered her onto her ivory sheets. Faye closed her arms around his neck holding him tighter. With a sigh Rune took her hand in an attempt to untangle himself from her. Her nails dug into his back again, sharper.
Claws Rune realized.
“Come now, vsenia.” The High Tongue term of endearments slipped from his lips before Rune realized. He pried a hand free, and Faye twisted in his arms.So stubborn, even in your sleep.He held her hand away as she fought to keep him in her embrace.
She made an exasperated sound and wings burst from her back, shredding the mattress and blankets under her. Faye pulled at her wrist and her wings flared, cutting forward, encircling them both.
Rune exhaled as she relaxed in his arms, apparently happy to have him captive. He surveyed the damage she’d done and glanced at the woman curled up to him. “Must you ruin all my things?”
Rune bared his teeth adjusting his hold on the sleeping minx. Her wings loosened when he allowed her to wrap her arms around his neck once more.
Wrapping his sheet around her nude form as best he could. Faye stirred as he settled him into his dark sheets. She draped a wing over him and she curled closer. Rune tensed as she rested her head on his chest. She paid him no mind, using him for her comfort and slung her leg over his thigh.
It was strange to be alone with his thoughts. Stranger still to have the queen he wished for his entire life sleeping beside him. He’d been unkind to her. There was much he needed to mend between them.
The Ra’Voshnik, even silenced, disturbed his thoughts. Faye wanted the creature. Preferred her Voshki to him. Rune closed his eyes. They had a great deal to speak on. He and the Ra’Voshnik could not be separated.
Jealousy was an unfamiliar emotion for him, and Rune found he hated it. Immortals often invited others to their beds.Typically after being together for centuries,Rune thought bitterly. His lips thinned as he ran his fingers through Faye’s hair, staring up at the ceiling.
What would he do if Faye wasn’t willing to have them both? She could only desire the Ra’Voshnik. But she’d kissed him after she’d been with the creature.
Rune’s thoughts circled back on each other in his mind. Nothing could be done until he spoke with her. He pulled his fingers through her hair a last time letting it slip through his hold. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the exhaustion racking his body, falling into a deep sleep beside his fated queen.
Chapter fifty-one
Fayewokeslowlytoa view of Hell’s twilight sky through tall narrow windows. A low vibration lulled her with its gentle constant purr. Her brow came down as she realized exactly what room she was in and who she was curled up against.
If you allow it, I will stay until morning.
Her heart constricted. He would leave soon. Faye shifted beside him, finding a more comfortable spot on his chest. Wanting to savor their final moments. Rune drew a sharp breath beneath her, and the room filled with silence.
She upturned her head to glance at him and he tensed further. Did he regret what they’d done? What she let him do. Faye sat up, pulling the sheets around herself, and stilled.
