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“Well? What are ya still standing there for? Give the princess a minute, ya dolt!”
“Harald,” I say softly. “They’re fine. I’m overwhelmed.” I’ve never seen anyone I care about this badly hurt and the bond is amplifying everything I feel to the point where I can’t tell if these are my tears or the bonds.
“If I may suggest something,” Avery begins but pauses, waiting for my consent.
“Go ahead.”
“The mate bond is powerful, more so than any medicine I might be able to give him. If I were a witch, well then, I’d be able to do more but obviously I’m not. Anyway, the bond might be able to force him awake.”
“How?” I tentatively place my palm against his, frowning when he doesn’t automatically grasp it like he would if he were awake. The little T Harald carved pulses on my arm but the wound wasn’t deep enough for blood to dribble down it.
Avery’s hooves clack as they shift to study me. “I can’t explain it, but I’ve seen it before. The mate who’s awake somehow reaches into the bond and brings the other to the surface of their consciousness.”
“Did you come to see me as well?” a familiar voice says from a bed over. Maddox peeks his head through the curtain and gives me a rueful smile. His tusks are shorter than Orcus’ and his skin is a lighter shade of green. The bruises covering his body stand out in stark contrast. “Hello, Daisy.”
Last time I saw him, he was convincing Orcus to join this stupid fight. If I were petty, I’d blame him for Orcus’ current state, but I’m not. I’m a grown woman. I’d never stoop as low to say, “This is your fault.”
Shit. Okay, that wasn’t what I meant to say.
Maddox drops his gaze to the ground. “I know.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” I shake my head. “It’s not your fault. It’s his father’s.”
Avery sucks in a sharp breath and takes three steps back, muttering something about treason.
“You’re right.” Maddox lifts his gaze to meet mine then moves his attention to Orcus. “I’ve never seen him like this.”
“Yes, well, apparently vampires are violent, vicious things.” I squeeze Orcus’ hand, willing him to squeeze back. He doesn’t. Despair weighs heavy on my chest. “You were there?”
“Me and a few soldiers were all that made it out thanks to Orcus.”
I glare at the sleeping ogre. “What did you do?”
“He told us all to retreat, and we thought he’d come too, but the idiot stayed and tried to take on three on his own. Had I not looked back to see him getting the absolute shit beat out of him, he would’ve died.”
I pinch my eyes shut and try to block out the image Maddox has painted, but it’s too late. The bond pulses with sorrow and pain, like we’ve truly lost him. It steals my breath. For a minute, all I can do is breathe, existing in the agony of theoretically losing him. In the depths of that feeling is darkness, like someone stole the light of the sun and all the stars. I don’t like it.
Ihateit.
And then the sensation relents and the crushing weight in my chest abates. I glance at Maddox, and he grimaces, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.
“The bond?” he asks.
I nod. “It doesn’t like this, and neither do I.”
“You might be able to wake him,” Avery gently prompts, coming back to my side now that I’m not insulting the king.
Right. Pulling in a deep breath, I focus on my mate and the bond. I gently stroke it, prod it, caress it. Nothing works. I switch tactics and send images of us together, of his head buried between my legs.
“Good Marline and Foggerty! What are ya doing to the lad?” Harald shouts.
Avery stifles a giggle. I glance back at the two of them only to stop short at the sight of Orcus’ very erect cock making a tent of the hospital fabric. I blush and Maddox has the good sense to avoid eye contact.
“I was trying to wake him up,” I explain.
“Ya woke somethin’ up!” Harald says with a chortle.
Avery releases a peal of laughter and their eyes widen. They spin and rush away on four hooves.
