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We both land on the road, shifting back to our human form in an instant. Evander is sitting on the concrete, three unconscious men around him, and he’s cradling Wisteria’s head in his lap. I feel a hum of magic around him—Wisteria’s magic.
I run over to Wisteria. I hear my dad saying something, but I can’t make it out over the erratic beat of my heart.
“She’s okay,” Evander says.
I watch her chest and see it rise and fall. When I focus, I can hear her heart beating strong.
“Why isn’t she awake?” I ask.
“I think it’s because her magic is split.” Evander holds out his arms, showing me the purple shimmer. I can feel the magic from Wisteria. “She put a shield around me and fought those guys off.” He pulls at the roots of his hair, speaking so fast that his words nearly run together. “Why would she do that? Why didn’t she protect herself instead of me?”
After knowing Wisteria for a short time, I already know the answer. She will always protect others above herself. But even feeling her magic working, my stomach twists at the sight of her unconscious body.
I lift Wisteria from the ground and cradle her in my arms. “I need to take her to a healer.”
Evander nods, jumping to his feet.
Dad puts his hand on Evander’s shoulder. “You take Wisteria, Evander will stay here with me. We need to figure out what happened and get these three into custody.”
I wonder how I’m supposed to fly Wisteria back to the estate with her unconscious, but as I ponder the thought, two SUVs arrive. Natalia and Mom get out of one andAndrew gets out of the other. Mom and Natalia both run up to me while Andrew converses with Dad and Evander.
“Is she okay?” Mom runs her hand along Wisteria’s bloody scalp.
“I need to get her to a healer.”
“I’ll take you,” Natalia says, leaving no room for argument. She runs to the SUV and gets in the driver’s seat.
“Take care of her,” Mom orders.
I take off after Natalia, getting in the passenger seat. I cradle Wisteria’s small form to my chest, willing for her to wake up.
“How is she?” Natalia asks as she races toward the estate.
“She’s breathing and her heart rate is steady.” I squeeze my eyes shut tight. “She’s splitting her magic because she’s protecting Evander. He doesn’t have a scratch on him.”
Natalia is quiet, so I open my eyes and glance over at her. My gut twists when I see my older sister—the same tough girl who used to beat me up when we were kids—with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“She’s special, Stellan.” Her voice is low, barely a whisper.
Sheisspecial. More than I could’ve ever imagined when I married her. Part of me has already fallen for her, but I have to keep my feelings to myself. If Wisteria knew how I felt, it would only hurt her more when I inevitably do meet my soulmate. The last thing I want to do is hurt her.
I can’t imagine ever loving anybody else. The mate bond is said to be magic and all consuming, buthowcould any girl measure up to Wisteria? She’s perfect in so many ways. The fact that she shielded my brother instead of herself, while maddening, only makes me love her more.
Doesn’t she understand that Evander didn’t need a shield? He’s a dragon shifter. Even though he hasn’t shifted yet, he would still heal faster than a fae.
I hug Wisteria closer to my chest, wishing I would’ve been there today. If only it wasn’t for that stupid council meeting—the same meeting where absolutely nothing got accomplished. I’ll have to keep going because it’s my duty. But if I could, I’d give up everything for Wisteria.
I don’t need a mate bond. I don’twantone. I just want my wife.
“I was hoping that getting her away from Evander would make her drop the shield she has around him, but I can still feel the magic leaking out of her.” I frown, wishing there was a way to force her magic to stop. All of her energy should be going to healing, not protecting my brother. He doesn’t even need the protection.
When Natalia pulls in front of the estate, the healer rushes out to meet us. He walks by my side as I carry my unconscious wife inside. I lay her down on the first soft surface that I come across. I move slightly to make room for the healer, but I hold onto her hand, willing her to wake.
The healer furrows his brows. “Her magic feels split.”
I huff. “Because she’s got a shield around Evander—they were together when she was attacked. Even passed out, her magic is still protecting him.”
The healer nods. “She’s okay. It’ll take her a little longer to wake up, due to her magic being split, but she’ll be healed completely within a few hours. She’s got strong magic, despite it not being at full power. I’ve never been around fae magic like this, but even the lessened strength of her magic is nearly overwhelming.” He looks at me. “Your sacrifice in marrying a fae will make the royal bloodline of the dragons strong.”
