She paused and grabbed his wrist when he reached for a piece of chicken. How could she tell him that it turned her stomach? She licked her lips and tried to speak again. “Mice,” she said. The word was breathy but there.
His brows pinched over his nose. “Did you just say mice? You don’t want to eat mice, do you?”
She shook her head and laughed. Pointing at the meat, she said it again, “Mice.” How else could she explain that the smell and texture of the chicken made her remember life as a bird? Her shoulders slumped and she tapped her forehead.
“Oh.” Alexander narrowed his eyes. “Are you remembering eating mice when you were inside Nikan?”
She nodded and stuck out her tongue. Thank the Great Spirit he seemed to understand.
“Okay. No chicken.” He made a show of scraping it off the tray and into the garbage.
She laughed and he stopped what he was doing to stare at her. “I don’t think there is anything I’ve missed more than that sound.”
She placed her hand on his thigh and tried to do for him what he had done for her. She thought of all the happy memories they’d shared together and poured them into her expression and her touch. The words wouldn’t come, not yet, but she found a way to communicate. “Ba…ck,” she managed.
He nodded slowly. “Yes. You’re back.” He set the tray aside and took her hand in his. “Somehow… Fuck… I’m just so grateful, Maiara.”
With every ounce of strength she had, she pulled him into her arms.
Chapter Thirty-One
Only when she’d had her fill did Alexander help Maiara from the bedroom. It was her idea; she motioned that she wanted to stretch her legs. At first she leaned on him, testing her ability to walk on her own, but soon she took steps independently. Already she was stronger.
“That’s it! You’re doing great,” he said as they slowly made their way into the main room. To his surprise, Raven and Gabriel were still there, huddled conspiratorially near the fire.
“I thought you two planned to head back to tell the others? It’s been hours. Why are you still here?”
Raven frowned and lifted a small bundle near her feet into her arms. She cradled it like a small baby. “I tried to save her, Alexander. I swear I did, but her body was never meant to live this long. It was Maiara’s soul that kept her alive. Once we took her out…”
Alexander’s chest tightened. He’d forgotten about Nyx, and the crushing guilt that came with that realization warred with the joy he’d been riding from Maiara’s return. A lump formed in his throat. “She’s dead?”
Maiara cried out and rushed forward on wobbling knees. She lifted the bundle into her arms and kissed the face of her hawk. “Ni…kan!” The name rasped in her tight throat, and tears raced down her face to the sound of her sobs. Alexander approached wearily, his own eyes burning.
“I’m so sorry,” Raven said.
How could he blame the witch? This was the price of bringing his Maiara back. The truth was, some part of him expected this. He’d known when the bird fell on its side during the spell that its lifeless state might be permanent. He’d simply set the possibility aside to make room for what was happening with Maiara. Now though, the loss was real and it ached deep within his soul.
He held Maiara by the shoulders, the bird in her arms, and allowed himself to absorb the waves of grief that rolled into him. After all, no one was more familiar with grief than Alexander. This grief did not sting as much as what he’d suffered believing Maiara was gone, but it hurt. The hawk had been his constant companion for hundreds of years and was the reason his mate was here with him. Her loss was a brutal blow.
“I called her Nyx after the goddess of night.” Alexander took her body from Maiara and nestled it in his arms. “I shouldn’t have done that. Nikan was her name.” He glanced at Raven. “It means my friend in Potawatomi,” he explained. “She was my friend in every sense of the word, to the very end. She deserved better.”
Gabriel placed a hand on his shoulder. “I realize I have only been here a few days, but I never saw you treat her with anything but kindness far surpassing how most treat their pets.”
Raven agreed. “Alexander, truly, all of us thought you treated her like a partner. Do you remember how protective you were of her the first day I met you?”
He did. The guilt eased minutely as he thought of it. He’d heard it said that grief was just love with nowhere to go. Love previously given to the deceased bounced around inside a person until it finally came out in some way, usually as tears. Nikan was dead and Alexander had loved her, but this time his love had somewhere to go. It went straight into Maiara.
“Thank you, Nikan, for the sacrifice of your life to save my mate.” Alexander stroked her feathers and hugged her swaddled body. Maiara stared up at him, her glossy eyes filled with pain. He handed the hawk back to her. The tightness in his chest eased again.
“She lived a long, full life,” he said to her. “And I think she understood the sacrifice she would make. She loved you, Maiara.”
His mate nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she believed what he said. How could they not believe it when Nikan had participated in the spell to resurrect Maiara so willingly?
“We should give her a proper burial. A ceremony… Someplace nice,” he said softly. Ironically, a day ago he had planned to have a memorial for Maiara. He couldn’t help but feel some relief at the turn of events. Life was a series of hellos and goodbyes. This goodbye wouldn’t be easy, but it was easier than the alternative.
Maiara nodded. “Please.” The word came out clear, and he hoped her voice was returning.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Raven rub her hands over her belly. She looked exhausted and more than a little sad. “Let me prepare something. I can bring you a dress, and we can have a small ceremony. Maybe near one of the vortexes.”
“You need rest,” Gabriel said firmly.
“I’ll be fine,” Raven said, but Alexander thought she didn’t look fine. She looked pale and gaunt. He didn’t like the way her hands trembled on her abdomen.
“I have to agree with my brother on this one,” Alexander said. “You need rest. There’s no hurry. I’ll take Maiara to get clothes and find the right spot. We’ll bury Nikan tonight at sunset. She loved the sunset.”
Maiara squeezed his hand in agreement.
Raven protested but Gabriel pulled her into his arms. “It’s time to rest, little witch. You’ve done well.”
Alexander watched her shoulders soften and her body collapse into Gabriel’s embrace. His brother scooped her up, nodded in Alexander’s direction, and flew off.
“Willow?”
The oread appeared beside him, hands folded. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Will you do me a favor and bring me that box we used for the gallery event?” Alexander’s eyes flicked toward the bird.
Willow bowed. “I know just the one.” He disappeared and returned almost immediately with an ornately painted wooden box.
“I found this at an estate sale. It reminded me of something you’d like. I’ve used it as a model in a few of my paintings.” Alexander opened it for her. She ran her hand along the inside. It was a beautiful box made of bentwood cedar.
“Will this be okay?” He waited, watching her. She could carry Nikan’s body around all day if she wished, if it would help her, but he could already see the truth in her eyes, a truth he had already accepted. The moment she’d put herself inside of Nikan, she’d known this would be the eventual outcome. A hawk was not meant to live forever.
She placed Nikan’s body inside the box, a new wave of tears flooding her face. He closed the top and positioned it in a place of honor on the front table. Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.
Maiara wiped under her eyes. “What is… the name of the… witch who raised me?”
“Your voice is coming back!” He kissed her and hugged her to him. “Raven is her name. She is Gabriel’s mate.”
“She will have… baby soon.”
“I’m not sure. I think she still has time.”
Maiara shook her head. “Soon.” She coughed into her hand as if the word strained her throat.
“Don’t worry about that now. Come with me. We’ll get you some clothes. Then I can show you a few spots that might be right for Nikan.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“I’m fine, Gabriel. Really, is this necessary?” Raven allowed him to plump the pillow under her head and tuck the covers around her. Honestly, she was exhausted, and the attention was sweet, but she’d rather just be left alone to sleep.
“It is absolutely necessary. I’m going to get Tobias. He needs to examine you. You look pale.”
She frowned but didn’t argue. The pain she’d experienced during the spell to resurrect Maiara wasn’t normal, and the truth was she still didn’t feel well. Tobias was a talented doctor with centuries of experience, not to mention being a dragon himself. If anyone would know what was going on with a dragon/witch pregnancy, it would be him.
Gabriel kissed her on the forehead and closed the blinds on the windows. She must have fallen asleep before he made it out the door because the next thing she knew, Tobias was standing over her with his doctor’s bag in hand.
“Gabriel said you were having some pain.”
“Not anymore. Just when I was doing the spell— Did he tell you? We did it! Maiara’s back.”
He raised his eyebrows and gave a little nod. “I can’t wait to see her again. She’s the reason I’m able to help you today, the entire reason I became a healer and then a doctor.” He pressed his fingers into her wrist, nonchalantly taking her pulse. “Can you tell me about the pain?”
“It felt like the baby was expanding and contracting with the flow of magic through my body. The muscles have felt tight before, but this was actually painful.”
“What do you mean the muscles have felt tight before?”
“Oh, you know, like when we were at that occult shop and at the pharmacy. Anytime I’m on my feet too long, it just feels like a giant hand is squeezing me around the middle.”
He scoffed. “And you didn’t think this was something you needed to share with me?”
“There was a lot going on.” Raven could tell by the way he widened his eyes that that was not the right answer. “It always went away, Tobias. I would have said something if it was really bothering me. Anyway, we’re hopping on a plane tomorrow afternoon and going back to your fully equipped vampire-protected medical office in Chicago to bring this little guy into the world, right?”
Tobias rubbed the back of his head. “I need to examine you, Raven. Is that okay?” He reached into his bag and drew out a pair of rubber gloves.
“Of course,” she said. It was awkward having your brother-in-law as your doctor, but he was her only hope of delivering a healthy baby. When she found out she was pregnant with a half dragon, half human, she’d been ecstatic. The pregnancy seemed like a miracle; she’d never thought children would be a possibility when she became Gabriel’s mate.
But then Tobias, who had diagnosed her pregnancy using an ultrasound, showed her what was developing inside her uterus. Dragons, it seemed, laid eggs not live young, and no one knew how this baby would be born because no human had ever carried an egg before, at least as far as any of them knew.
So it wasn’t as if a human gynecologist could be her doctor. Tobias was her only hope of surviving this pregnancy and delivering a healthy baby. She stared at the ceiling while he quickly performed the exam she knew was necessary.
“Raven, I’m afraid tomorrow isn’t soon enough. We need to get you on a plane today, preferably within the hour.”
“What? Why?”
He snapped the gloves off into the garbage pail. “You’re starting to dilate. A three, I’d say. That’s early, but we don’t know how fast this will go. It’s too risky to fly commercially. We’ll charter a plane and go straight to Chicago.” He raised his phone to his ear and started rattling off instructions to someone she assumed must be his assistant.
Resting her hands on either side of her abdomen, she looked down at her protruding belly through the thin cotton of her T-shirt. “Are you saying the baby is coming?”
“Soon,” he said, turning his mouth away from the phone to answer her before quickly continuing his dialogue. After a few minutes, he hung up and focused fully on her again. “She’s on it. Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of you.”
“But… but I’m only four months pregnant. What if the baby isn’t developed enough? What if the spell I did put me into premature labor?”
“We never expected you’d carry the egg for nine months. Dragons don’t. This timing makes sense to me. Besides, we have all the equipment we need in Chicago to care for a preemie. Trust me, Raven. Let’s get you back where it’s safe, and I’ll take care of everything.”
“I need to pack.” Raven started to sit up, but he caught her shoulder and pressed her back into the mattress.
“I have someone to do that for you.” Tobias opened the door and Gabriel rushed in. “Pack her bags. I have my assistant chartering a plane. I’ll let you know when we can take off.” He grabbed his bag. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have my own bags to pack.” He left the room with a practiced nod of reassurance.
“Gabriel, I—”
His hands balled into fists. “Do not even attempt to talk me out of getting you on that plane, Raven. You’re going.”
She sighed. “I know.” The room turned wavy with her tears. “What I was going to say is I need help. I’ve been in these clothes all day. They stink of magic. Can you help me change?”
His shoulders drooped and he looked down at his hands. “Of course. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“I understand. This is scary. Really scary.”
He dug in a drawer and brought her one of her favorite maternity dresses. Kneeling in front of her, he helped her change clothes.
“You are a powerful witch, Raven, and my brother, for all his many annoyances, is a talented doctor. That’s a heartening combination in and of itself, but add our immortal bond, and well, I understand you aren’t fragile.”
She rubbed her forehead. “I don’t exactly feel strong at the moment.”
“I know.” He rested his palms on the stretchy material covering her thighs and stared up at her with an intensity that was pure dragon. “Both of us thought we’d have longer to prepare for this. And the truth is, there’s no roadmap. No one has ever done what you’re about to do.” When she tried to look away, he cupped her jaw. “But I know you can do this.”
The sincerity in his eyes made her breath catch in her throat. And as he spoke again, his voice was laced with grit. “The night I came for you in the hospital, the night we met, you were more dead than alive. I’d never seen anyone fight so hard for each scrap of life. I watched you battle your way back, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. You refused to be afraid, of anything.
“All that time, despite all my pretexts that I was your guardian, it was you who destroyed Crimson and resurrected me. You’ve never been helpless, Raven, or meek. You are the bravest, strongest witch I’ve ever known. And you can do this too.”
She placed her hands on his face and touched her forehead to his. “Thank you. I needed to hear that today.”
“Good. Now, just this once, allow me to treat you like you’re made of glass even if we both know it isn’t true.”
She pressed her lips to his. “Just this once.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Aborella’s plan was finally coming to fruition. It had taken time and patience, but the amulet she’d given Avery had served its purpose. Raven had divulged her location. And although Avery proved to be a tough nut to crack, crack she did. Despite the young woman’s strong mind and resilience to milkwood, Aborella had managed fleeting moments of influence over her. Enough to get them both here.
“I’m not sure about this, Charlotte,�
�� Avery said to her as she pulled into the Church of New Horizons. “Raven doesn’t like surprises, and visiting her on her honeymoon feels intrusive.” She stopped the car in the middle of the parking lot and shook her head. “What are we doing here? How has this gone this far? This is wrong. I’m turning around.”
Aborella reached across the front seat and placed her hand on Avery’s shoulder, sending a pulse of persuasive magic through the woman. The marble-sized crystal around her neck glowed brighter. “Park the car. We’re going to see your sister. You want to see her, don’t you? You have to introduce me to her.”
Avery blinked, her lashes fluttering like the wings of a dying fly. “Of course. What was I thinking? You need to meet Raven.” To Aborella’s delight, she parked the car.
Unfortunately, as soon as she removed her hand, Avery’s own thoughts broke through again. “Why isn’t Dad here? Shouldn’t he introduce his fiancée to his daughter?”
“He’d only slow us down, darling. This is just about us girls.” Aborella continued to explain how absolutely normal it was to visit Raven and watched Avery’s expression blank at the lull of her voice. Whatever protective enchantment Raven had placed on her sister, it was a strong one. Keeping the woman under control was costing her massive amounts of energy.
Together, they walked toward the central courtyard. Aborella had dressed in a lightweight gray suit, her red hair coiled along the back of her head. She’d developed this look for Charlotte because it had proved to be the most effective with these humans. Men were often attracted to her, and women intimidated.
Avery, on the other hand, wore a simple white sundress that made her appear young, innocent, and naive. Deceptive. The human was far stronger, smarter, and more intuitive than most. Aborella knew better than to underestimate her.
Now to find her sister, the witch. An apartment building stretched across the grounds to their right, a dated structure with maybe fifty rooms. Ahead of them was a newer, mostly glass building, and to their left, a meticulously landscaped area marked with a sign that read Yoga Studio.
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