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“Good. I’m almost done then you can get up and carry your mate away from Callum. Though, you should know he’d never do anything to betray your trust.”
I lift my gaze to meet Zyla’s. Her eyes are set on mine, serious and pointed. She’s defending Callum. That’s a first. Usually those two are at each other’s throat.
I cross my arms over my chest. “I wasn’t worried about him.”
She arches an eyebrow. “If you say so. He may be arrogant and cocky, but he’s loyal to those he cares about.” The look on her face tells me she doesn’t consider herself part of that group. Her magic washes over my face and the side of my head. I take a deep breath, checking for traces of pain.
It’s gone.
“That was a nasty gash,” she murmurs, touching the freshly healed skin. Her magic is still working to heal that injury, so I patiently wait for her to finish. Lips pressed together, she studies every injury she’s healed before bringing her gaze to meet mine. “How close were you to dying?”
“Too close,” I admit.
Her scrutinizing gaze returns to mine. “There are two paths heading your way, Orcus. I pray to Hecate you’re smart enough to take the correct one.”
Ah. No wonder she’s healing me. She had a message to deliver.
“No hint as to which direction I should go?”
“That’s not how it works. It all depends on what you do next.” She glances over her shoulder at Daisy before returning to face me with grave lines creasing her forehead. “I like her and she deserves the best.”
I nod. “I agree.” And that’s why I plan on sending her home as soon as I can. “Did you find a way to create the spell I asked for?”
“Maybe.” Zyla removes her hands from my face and clasps them in her lap. “You’re sure this is what you want?” She mentioned at the moon festival her concern for my ability to cope with severing the bond.
“She can’t stay here,” I say. “It’s too dangerous.”
“She seems to be doing fine.” Zyla stands to reveal Daisy chastising the trull for something he’d done while I was busy being healed.
Callum shoots me a disbelieving grin and tries to stifle his laughter.
Daisy is lucky. Most would already be skinned for daring to talk to a trull like that. Yet there my mate is, berating the little bloodthirsty creature like he’s a babe in need of correction.
A smile tugs at my lips.
Zyla turns back to me. “Give me a few weeks.”
The smile disappears.
TWENTY-SIX
All hail the king.
DAISY
The charm Callum pressed into my palm is like a thousand-pound weight. Knowing that if I wanted, I could invoke the activation word and return to Earth, crushes me with indecision. All I wanted from the moment I fell on Orcus’ cock was to get back. I was so certain that’s what I needed to do.
Now, as I stare at Orcus as Zyla tends to him, I can’t help but wonder if maybe I should stay. He clearly can’t keep himself out of trouble. Besides, I can’t leave now. Prometheus still needs to find its way back to the dragon nest and I have to ensure that Harald and the obnoxious taxes the king makes his people pay are taken care of.
The only way to do that is to go all in.
I walked so far to find Orcus because I hated him being gone. My heart nearly collapsed in on itself when he startled me awake. Whether the feelings are driven by the bond or the part of me that’s always wanted to belong and be loved, it doesn’t really matter. And while he may be grumpy, I can handle it. I’ve dealt with worse and now that I know what’s caused the bitterness to seep inside that giant body, I want to eradicate it.
Avery’s hooves pound against the stone floor. “The king is on his way.” They release a heavy pant. “I tried to give more time but he threatened to behead me.”
“I’ll speak with him,” Orcus says. “Your head is safe. He’s not used to being told no is all.” All traces of his injuries are now gone.
Zyla draws back to Callum’s side, and the wizard’s eyes track over every inch of her body. The witch ignores him, possibly oblivious to his attention, and looks at me.
