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He tossed his towel aside. Despite the small thrill at the thought of spending time alone with Nora away from London and all its bullshit, Leo’s phrasing still pissed him off. Leo loved Nora, but the fucking vampire sometimes dismissed her as a child and River hated it. "And how the hell do you know that? Stop trying to steer Nora to a future you want for her instead of what she wishes to try. Besides, if we're going to talk about goddamn suitability, then let's bring up you and Yesenia. From the stories I've heard, you didn't think Yesenia was going to end up your perfect match either."
Leo cleared his throat. "That was different."
"Bullshit, and you know it. I like your sister, Leo, and I would cut off my dick before I hurt her. Maybe someday you'll actually believe me."
The vampire Dark Lord grunted. "We shall see." He tugged down his waistcoat and smiled again. "However, being trained and spending time with Nora aren't the only tasks you'll have whilst at my country house."
Shit.That smirk didn't bode well for him. "Just spit it out already, will you?"
Leo shrugged. "Fine. I owe the shifter Dark Lord, Everett Black, a favor and you're going to help me repay it during your stay in the country."
Tired of Leo's drawn-out process, River wiped the sweat off his brow and growled, "What the fuck are you going to make me do, vampire?"
"No need to shout at me." Leo sniffed. "Black's younger sister, Grace, has recently arrived in London. The short version is she's overwhelmed. She's blind and has never visited the city before; she grew up in the Scottish Highlands. Black's been scrambling to help her adjust. However, when the wolf heard of your arrival here, a doctor from the future, he asked if you'd take a look and see if you can help improve her eyesight even a little."
This wasn't the first time someone thought healing magic could cure everything, and probably wouldn't be the last. "Look, Leo, I can check her out and see if there's anything that can be repaired. However, sometimes it's just not possible. If she was born without certain things in her body necessary for sight, I can't make them magically appear and erase her blindness."
"I know that, witch. But Khan gave his permission for you to do whatever you need to do to help her, even if it requires using modern techniques. And since you arrived without a penny to your name, this is a way to help repay all you've spent whilst under my roof."
Nothing like a guilt-tripping brother-in-law, the fucker. "I told you I'd give you back every goddamn penny as soon as I start working."
Leo waved a hand in dismissal. "This will clear up any debt owed, and I'll feel more at ease handing over Nora's dowry to you. Oh, and the wolf-shifter female—named Grace—will be escorted by her brother to my country house and will stay for a few days. You'll have to deal with him too, and try not to anger him."
River sensed there was more to the story between Leo and this shifter Dark Lord, but he didn't fucking care. If he didn't have to owe Leo anything after this, he wouldn't pass it up. Not to mention he would take time alone with Nora any day of the week. "Fine. Although either you or Dark Lord Khan will need to put together some basic medical supplies for me to use. I don't even have a damned doctor's bag."
Leo waved a hand in dismissal. "Already done. Khan and I worked together on that, since I don't know about the magical side of healing. Besides, I want you to visit with a few of my employees before you leave and see if you can help them." He gestured toward River's sweaty body. "After you clean up, Bates will show you to your temporary office space."
Leo turned to leave, but River spoke again. "Hey, wait." His brother-in-law turned around. "Does Nora know about going to the country and the shifter visitors?"
The vampire nodded. "Yes. She said something about wanting to teach you to ride a horse anyway. Even if I rarely visit my country house, you'll find everything stocked and prepared for a visit. Nora knows how to ask for what she wants as well."
Even if a huge part of him wanted nothing more than to rush off to be alone with Nora in the country, a sense of guilt tugged at him. "And will Yesenia keep me informed of any progress with Meadow?"
Leo's expression softened a teeny bit. "Of course. She'll need a bit more rest before attempting to bring another fated one to this time. But she keeps checking for notes from your sister."
Yesenia had apparently sent warnings to him and Meadow, stipulating where to put the reply. River had never received it because of his captivity, but he hoped like hell Meadow had found hers before it was too late.
River ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks. It's hard to be completely happy or adjusted here when I worry about her. She's my little sister."
Leo nodded. "Yesenia constantly feels guilty for finding love and marrying me whilst Meadow could be hurting. But we're doing everything we can—even asking Khan for more favors—and I vow to do everything possible to bring her to safety. And you know I can't lie."
All his irritation at Leo's grumpy, arrogant behavior melted away. "Thanks."
He put out a hand and Leo strode forward and shook it.
Once his brother-in-law finally left, River helped Stone clean up and then went to his suite of rooms. As much as he enjoyed spending time with Nora, he missed healing others. It would feel good to do something that gave him such purpose again.
It would also give him a better report on his overall magical health. Physically, River improved by the day. His magic, however, he'd barely used unless it was on himself when asleep.
And he needed to be in halfway decent shape if he was going to do a fucking thing for the shifter Dark Lord's sister.
ChapterNineteen
The following day, a sharp poke jabbed River's side as Nora said, "River, wake up."
It took a few more pokes before he opened his eyes and rubbed his hands over his face. "Are we there yet?"
"Just about. I wanted you to see the view as we drive up."
