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"Khan would, though." Everett crossed his arms and shook his head. "I'll send a wee note to him as soon as we're finished here. But as for right now, my best guess is Vale will be stuck in his memories, maybe even reliving them. Or, even if he staves them off for a bit, certain things will trigger them all over again."
She hated the sound of that. "You said some of your soldiers have gone through something similar?"
"Aye."
"Did they recover fully?"
He sighed. "I won't lie to you, Nora. Some do, some don't. But Vale has something not all of my soldiers had." He gestured toward her. "You. I've been watching the pair of you and there's something there. Shifters are like vampires, in that we have fated ones and usually believe we are partnered with that person or persons for a reason. He has obviously helped you as you're so much bolder and braver than the last time I saw you, aye? But now? Maybe it's your turn to help him, as if fate knew you'd be strong enough to do so when necessary."
She wanted to believe she could do it, she really did. "But what if I can't? I know nothing of someone surviving torture."
Everett raised his brows and said softly, "Don't you?"
It was the first time the shifter Dark Lord had ever referenced the hellish period of Nora's past.
She'd never thought of it in terms of torture, but merely survival. However, she and River had both been kept places against their wills, and both of them had suffered some horrible acts at the hands of others. Both had endured pain, injury, and later, nightmares.
She had more than fifty years' distance from her decade of hell, but maybe, if she thought about it, she could remember what had eased her. It wasn't a guarantee it'd help River, but it might be a starting point.
Standing a little taller, Nora refused to feel small or embarrassed at the reference to her years as a forced breeder. "Maybe I can help him. But as to any information you can pass on from either Dark Lord Khan or anyone who's overcome this sort of thing, I would be eternally grateful."
Everett bobbed his head. "Aye, I'll see what I can do. Although I do have a favor to ask you—I'd feel better if Grace could stay here with you whilst I try to gather info and interrogate Khan. Yates has tight security here for you already, and I will leave some of my soldiers as well."
The fact the shifter Dark Lord would trust her and Leo with his sister spoke volumes about how much closer the two species had become over the last decade of peace. "Of course. I enjoy Grace's company immensely. Although I am sorry she'll have to wait for any sort of healing from River."
Everett shrugged. "Grace can be patient and is extremely reliable in difficult situations. I've had a few injuries myself, and she nursed me through them. Ask her to help with River, and she'll probably enjoy being busy."
Nora added nursing experience to her knowledge of Grace. "When will you leave?"
"I'll talk with Grace and leave at first light. I'll have one of my most trusted soldiers stationed inside, Morrison. If you need help restraining Vale again, he'll oblige."
"Thank you doesn't seem like nearly enough. However, pardon me for asking, but why are you being so helpful? Neither of us are shifters, meaning we're not your responsibility."
Everett shrugged. "That male is the only one I've found who can help my sister. I'd do anything for Gracie, which means getting Vale healthy and whole so he can repair parts of her eyesight."
She smiled. "Despite how much you and Leo antagonize each other, you have something in common—you both have soft hearts for your family."
Everett winked. "Aye, I know. But let's keep that between us. I can't let word spread of me being soft, let alone of how much Grace is a weakness."
Nora didn't think caring about your sibling was a weakness, but she wasn't going to point that out. "I will only share with those I trust; I can't keep this from my brothers or sister-in-law."
He nodded. "Aye, and I wouldn't expect you to." Everett gestured toward the door. "Go to your fated lord and just let him know you're there with him. I'll send information as soon as I'm able."
After saying their goodnights, Nora took a deep breath and went back inside River's bedroom.
He hadn't moved from his huddled spot on the far side of the bed. She debated pulling up a chair and sitting next to him, but dismissed it. Instead, she went to the empty side of the bed, turned back the covers, and slipped into them. "I'm right here, River. I'm not going anywhere, so don't even try to bark an order at me." She dared to reach out a hand and lay it on his back. When he didn't flinch, a small thrill of joy shot through her. "I won't pepper you with questions until you're ready. However, if you need somewhere warm to rest your head, my shoulder or bosom is waiting for you."
For at least a minute, River didn't say anything.
Then he rolled over, slowly put his head on her shoulder, and laid an arm across her middle.
He remained silent, and so did she.
Wrapping an arm around his back, she merely listened to River's breathing. Eventually she fell asleep. And while River didn't scream, when she finally woke up again, the bed was empty.
ChapterTwenty-Five
As the late morning light danced across the surface of the lake, River skipped one rock and then another, doing his best to keep his mind as blank as possible.
