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I rushed to her unconscious body, falling to my knees and pulling her into my arms. Blood oozed from the large gash on her forehead, but it wasn’t the cut that was my concern.
“Jesus. Breathe, ma minette. Come on.”
My head lowered and I pressed my lips into hers, blowing oxygen into her. A loud crash in the distance barely registered as I slapped against her face and tried again.
“Breathe, Goddammit!”
More breaths.
A loud gasp filled the room and her eyes flew open, wide.
“I’m sorry. Please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you like that. I only wanted in. I wanted …”
Fuck, I didn’t know what I would have done in my rage.
“You have to let go,” she groaned, trying to break free.
“No, I want to hold you. I’m sorry.”
“She said let go.”
The threatening tone had my eyes narrowing. I looked over my shoulder in time to see Aetas lay his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. I jerked the robe down from the hook and covered Tessa’s body.
“I don’t believe I heard a knock, nor did I invite you into my private chambers.”
Aetas pushed Hunter behind him, only to step closer. “When I experience pain from a vampire linked to me, I don’t need permission to enter. Now, move.”
“She’s my concubine,” I said, standing and lifting Tessa in my arms. “That overrules everything—rank, ties, bonds, links, royal blood. The princess is mine eternally. The day she said those vows was the day you no longer had authority over what happens behind closed doors. This is a private matter and it doesn’t concern you. Now leave so I can make sure she’s okay.”
“I’m fine. Just put me in bed.”
A tear escaped, regardless that she wasn’t outwardly crying. I’d hurt her, badly. Just how much, I wasn’t sure. She was still blocking me. Where she was mentally strong, my physical strength far outweighed hers. I never knew the extent until now. I’d never allowed myself to find out.
“I said leave.” I didn’t wait for them to obey before I pushed past them and headed for the bed. The moment I laid her down, her body jolted. “Talk to me, ma minette. Let me feel.”
“Marko?” The sob tore my heart to pieces. “I’m sorry. I was so mad at you.”
“No, shh. I know you were, but this isn’t your fault, it’s mine. Open yourself. I have to see how bad this is.”
My knees buckled as fiery agony shot through my insides like a firestorm. The core of my stomach was blistering to the point that I could barely stand. If I wouldn’t have been leaning on the bed, I would have collapsed.
“Oh, shit. Shit. Here.” I went to cut my wrist when Aetas threw me to the side.
“If it is your powers that hurt her, your blood will only intensify her pain.”
“I said this wasn’t your problem!”
Nearly black eyes shot to me and Aetas’ anger had me slowing in my advance. Plenty of times I had seen him mad, but not like this.
“One more word from you and I take back your title. One word.”
“I am not the ruler” Tessa said, reaching for Aetas’ hand. “I have failed.”
“Because you neglect to learn,” he said, calmly, turning his attention back to her. Such care was in his eyes as he looked at her. It had my stomach turning as he continued. “But I will teach you, and you will be stronger than any vampire to walk this earth, besides myself. I promise you that.”
My eyebrows drew in, and my gaze went to Hunter, who was limping to the other side of the bed. He was in pain, too, but where I clutched to my stomach, he was favoring his right leg. Aetas and his damn lessons.
“How does this feel? Is the heat cooling?”
