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Murdock lifted his pointed chin. “You, my wretched king, cannot put pressure on the leg for at least a week. Not until the bones reset, or you will have a fiercer limp than before and be in constant pain.”
“Serpent.” I tilted my head to the side. “Could you try to be pleasant, just this once?”
Eyes narrowed, he snatched the cane from Murdock’s hand and pointed the end at me. “Traitor.”
“Yes.” I slid my palms over his chest. “The worst kind. The kind that frets over your well-being enough to demand you care for yourself.”
A smirk teased the corner of his lips. He kissed me sweetly, pulling back just enough to speak. “Despicable.”
A throat cleared. Tait stood in the doorway, bandaged from his own wounds. “He’s awake now.”
My heart skipped. With a groan and a few more protests, Erik conceded to using the cane and went with me to a chamber down the hall from the royal rooms.
A decent size of a chamber, yet it was packed with folk—sea and earth fae alike. When we stepped inside, Stieg placed a chair in the open, gesturing for Erik to sit.
“Look, love,” Erik said, glaring at the man. “The warrior has provided you with a seat.”
“Still being an ass?” Stieg asked me.
I sighed, and let my head drop to Erik’s shoulder. “Yes, I’m afraid.”
I released Erik’s arm, leaving him to bluster his protests and threats at Stieg and nudged my way toward the bed. Sander, bleary-eyed but awake, sat against half a dozen satin pillows. Chest bare, his ribs were wrapped, and a bit of pink was returned to his skin.
Jonas refused to move aside, not that anyone would ask him, but it left me to squeeze beside Sander’s shoulder. “You gave us quite a scare, you know.”
Sander winced as he held his ribs. “I know. Touch and go there for a bit.”
“A bit?” Jonas huffed. “Try all night, you bastard.”
“Go to sleep, brother. You’re getting sour.”
Jonas used his center knuckle to strike Sander in the thigh, sneering when his twin winced and clutched his ribs again.
“Have you spoken with your mother and father?” I asked.
Sander shook his head. “No. And I think we ought to not say a word about it.”
“Your mother can literally steal memories,” Aleksi said. “Tell me how you keep it a secret.”
“You won’t.” My daj spoke up from where he stood at the foot of the bed. “I’ve already told them.”
“Valen.” Sander groaned and dragged his palms over his face. “Why?”
“Well, when your fellow kings and queens have saved your own ass more than once, you don’t keep mountainous secrets from them, like their son almost died.”
“Where’s Bloodsinger?” Sander strained to look over Jonas’s head. “I’m taking one of those vows but make it so I must remain in the Ever.”
Erik scoffed. “I can’t take more earth fae.”
“Not a fae,” Sander grumbled, but closed his eyes, settling against the pillows. When he opened his eyes again, his expression turned sullen. “It was worth it, right?”
Jonas gripped Sander’s arm. “Yes. It was worth it. Battles were won.”
“And the elven woman?”
“Alive.” Jonas clicked his tongue. “Unfortunately.”
“Jonas.” I flicked his ear.
