“How do you explain this brother?”
“Why is she glowing, and why is she having a damn seizure?”
“She fucking healed me!”
Thankfully Ciyrs didn’t bother asking why he needed the healing.
“That isn’t possible.” He grabbed her hand and Pyra watched as his brother went from disbelief to calm. As soon as she touched his friend she stopped convulsing and her body laid flat in his arms in a relaxed state. The glow slowly dissipated from her body.
Pyra was stunned. “Can I get some shorts?”
Ciyrs pointed. “You go get them, I can’t leave her right now.”
Pyra’s jealousy reared its ugly head. “SHE’S MINE!”
There was no response from the other man as he brushed hair from Eden’s face. She opened her eyes and groaned. She looked at Ciyrs and smiled. “Hey, you again.”
“Yes, well this time it seems we have a different issue, sweetheart.”
She frowned. “What happened?
“You don’t remember?”
“No the last thing I remember is—” she blushed. “Is waking up to that beast over there. Enough said.”
Ciyrs laughed. “Okay so you and Pyra were intimate, then what?”
“I don’t know.” She narrowed her eyes in concentration, but she really didn’t remember. Pyra could tell.
“We broke the bed, your eyes glowed.”
She shook her head. “I remember hurting and being really aroused.”
“Yes, she was in pain and thrashing around. I tried waking her but she wouldn’t wake up so I decided to make love to her. As soon as I was in her she woke up and boom we were fucking like animals. The bed broke, and I spun us so she wouldn’t get hurt, but I did instead. She panicked, and as soon as she laid her hand on me, she healed me. Then she fell into convulsions.”
Ciyrs smiled when she covered her face with her free hand.
“Hey it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We’re all sexual creatures and you’ve just bonded. It’s natural. Though it’s concerning about how he explained everything. I want to run tests on you okay?”
“Sure, if it’ll help.”
Pyra curbed his anger and watched them interact. He knew it wasn’t anything more than platonic with them, but the way she leaned into him and relied on him when he could tell she was hurting pissed him right the hell off. She was his mate, and Ciyrs wasn’t much help. He was actually babying her. He’d never seen anything like it. Their bond was strange, and he wasn’t sure how well he’d handle it, or if he’d get used to it—anytime soon.
Chapter 4
I sat on the table—again and held my arm still while Ciyrs took another tube of blood. He was as confused as I was about these strange things going on inside of me. I felt strange and my body felt sick. I was weak and tired. I wanted to sleep but he told Pyra to keep me awake. Only Pyra was mad at me. I could feel it. Even as he sat in the chair as far away as I’d allow and talked to me, there was distrust in his voice and my heart clenched.
I didn’t like it and when I tried to hold his hand he pulled away. I didn’t think I had done anything wrong, but I was having memory problems. Maybe I had. He would barely look at me. I tried to catch his eye and when I finally did, I pleaded with him. If I could feel his anger, than he should be able to feel my sorrow.
He sighed and shook his head standing. “Are you okay with her Ciyrs?”
Her new bondee smiled and nodded. “Sure thing man, you go do what you need. She’ll be safe here.”
Her mate spun on his heel and stormed out. He’d finally gotten shorts, but his chest was bare and she watched him go and her heart ached for him.
“He can’t handle the bond sweetie. It will take time.”
“How do you know?”
“The same way you can feel his anger, I can feel your confusion and the hurt by his disregard. I know him though, he’s got a lot of things in his head, and he doesn’t handle strong emotion well.”
“I don’t like that he’s mad at me.”
“Oh baby girl, he isn’t mad at you. He’s mad at himself, and maybe even me, but not you. He doesn’t like sharing you and because of our new special bond you’re attachment here isn’t only to him. We all crave the day we’ll find our mate, and he was no different, no matter how he acted. And imagine he finds you, you complete the bond, and then technically you die. How would you feel?”
“Protective, I wouldn’t want to leave his side.”
Ciyrs shook his head. “Males are different. He wants you to need him, but right now he feels you need me more.”
“Oh,” I said and frowned.
“Be patient with him,” Ciyrs said and brushed the tear away from my cheek.
I nodded. Males were unique in their own right, but add in a whole different species and it was a whole different ball park. I didn’t expect for it to matter so much that he was upset with me. I had never really cared one way or another if a man was angry with me, but now—it was different.
He blew through the woods running at speed no one would be able to see, not the warriors or even his father. He was fast especially when he was pissed. This was different. He wasn’t even really angry. He was jealous of another person. Never before had that happened, especially not over a woman, but Eden was his. They hadn’t even mated for long enough for the bond to nestle in his soul.
Everything was unstable. He could feel how upset she was, and at that moment he had to walk away. Now that he had blown off some steam he felt like an asshole. She’d just had a seizure and recently been brought back to life. He could have been a lot more supportive, but he didn’t know how to be. She went from hating him to acceptance of their connection in what felt like a split second.
He plopped on the ground and looked over at the horizon. The rising sun usually soothed him, but the ache was too deep. He craved Eden, wanted to be right there with her, but he couldn’t trust himself now. Not to react in the right way. He worried his temper would eventually take its toll and she would end up hating him.
He heard a rustle from behind him but he didn’t bother moving. He sensed Ciyrs before he saw him. “Why aren’t you with Eden?”
He sighed and sat next to him stretching out. “Your dad is with her. She’s doing better if you care.”
Pyra growled not liking his tone. “I fucking care.”
Ciyrs shrugged. “She doesn’t understand what's going on, hell neither do I. I didn’t know how deep it would go, brother. I wouldn’t ever do anything, but I won’t lie. A part of my heart aches for her, but it isn’t in the way you think.” He groaned. “I’m explaining this all wrong. It’s almost like she is the female version of me. The softer side. It’s weird as hell, but I’ll always want to protect her, wipe away her tears, and beat the shit out her mate when he hurts her, and right now if you don’t get back to her and apologize for being an ass, I’ll do it.”
Pyra laughed. “Right, you don’t even have a fucking temper, not like the rest of us.”
“I have a temper, but I also have control,” he seethed.
“Try me, I could use a punching bag right now, and you’re the perfect target since you’re the issue.” He stood and narrowed his eyes. He needed to kick his ass, then it would all be good.
Ciyrs stood. “You have no idea do you?” He shook his head and then swung.
Pyra didn’t have time to duck and with the force of the hit, he was thrown into the tree. The bark scraped down his back and he gasped as the pain hit before he fell to the ground. “Holy shit that fucking hurt!”
Ciyrs stood looking unaffected. “Good.” There was nothing in his eyes, not even anger, but he felt the protectiveness radiating off of him. “She’s like the baby sister I lost you dumb shit. Get over it.” Then he ran and was gone.
Pyra stared at the spot his friend had stood and couldn’t hide his shock. No one ever saw the violent side of their healer. And then he felt even worse. If he would punch the living shit out of him for being an ass to E
den then he certainly had some apologizing to do. He rubbed his cheek and cringed. It hurt like a bitch, and he would never underestimate his less tempered brother.
Chapter 5
I lay on the cot moping. I listened to the King explain Pyra the same way Ciyrs had. Now I was pissed. I understood it was hard to go through this. Hell I was the one who was attacked by a damn rabid beast, died, healed, and now I had a damn seizure. I’d only been on Uoria for a short time, but it felt like a lifetime.
I was beginning to think that I should go home. I wasn’t having much luck and my supposed mate vanished. I wanted to be by myself even if it was only for a little bit, but right now no one would leave me alone. If it wasn’t one Denynso it was another. I was grateful they cared, but damn could a girl get some privacy? I needed a good cry, and I sure as hell wouldn’t do it in front of anyone.
I stood and stretched feeling a dull ache spread through my body. There was something seriously wrong. I wasn’t equipped for this. I was probably still dying or something. Shaking my head, I paced the room slowly, but even that wore me out. Light danced before me and I swayed on my feet. Shit I was about to pass out—again. I closed my eyes and stood still hoping the feeling would go away. Instead I looked up into the King’s gentle orange eyes. I felt him lift me like I was weightless and was placed on the cot. Closing my eyes I decided passing out was better than falling over every damn time I moved.
* * * *
3 months later
I woke up to see a whole slew of faces staring at me. All of them had various levels of concern in their eyes. I groaned and tried to sit up, but nothing worked. I tried to speak but my mouth was dry and it tasted like something died. A straw was placed between my lips and I sucked the water down. It tasted funny but I wasn’t about to complain. I tried to think but my head was cloudy.
The others were still staring at me, and it was making me nervous. I spit the straw out. “What?” I asked and the sound of my voice wasn’t mine. It was deep and raspy. What the hell?
“You scared the shit out of us sweetie,” Ciyrs said and knelt by me.
“Why? Did I pass out again?”
He laughed but I saw his tears. When I reached out to wipe it away my arm wouldn’t move. “Why the hell can’t I move?”
“You were in a coma.”
“I see. For how long?”
“Three months.”
I gasped. “Oh, well that might explain it, what happened?”
“My healing did a lot more than we knew. I’ll explain it once you have some time. Gyyx went to get Pyra.”
“He’s not here?”
He chuckled. “He hasn’t left your side for more than a few hours sweetie. His dad sent him home to rest. He was in bad shape.”
“Oh, okay.” I closed my eyes, but then I felt the gentle touch from Ciyrs and peeked.
“Just checking to make sure you weren’t going to fall back into your coma.”
“I think I’m good. I feel better than before.”
“You should.”
The door slammed open and warriors were shoved to the side when Pyra came in with wide eyes. Ciyrs moved without having to be shoved out of the way and Pyra dropped to his knees. Everyone else scattered to give us privacy.
He stared into my eyes with tears in his own and picked up my hands gently in his. “I am so sorry. God, I am such an asshole.”
He sounded devastated, and I wanted so badly to comfort him. “Help me sit up.”
He brought my hands to his lips and kissed my cold fingers and nodded. He lifted me like I was a fragile piece of glass. Then he sat down and I leaned against his warm body. Instantly my heart picked up and his heat warmed me. I shivered and he wrapped his arm around me pulling me onto his lap. He kissed my cheek and I felt the wetness of his tears. When I tried to lift my hand this time I was able to and I wiped his tear.
“I’m okay.”
He shook his head and sobbed holding me. I never imagined such a strong man like Pyra would be sobbing like a child, but he was. “Hey, it’s okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“I don’t feel sick or anything.”
His body shook. “Did you before, that night?”
He was referring to our last night, apparently three long fucking months ago. The night I was broken hearted for the first time over a man. Knowing I’d been out that long and knowing how much he must have suffered I couldn’t even bring myself to be angry. I thought about his question. “Yeah, I felt weak and really sick like I could fall over at any moment.” I sighed. “And apparently that’s what happened. I vaguely remember your dad catching me.”
“Yeah he did, and then you wouldn’t wake up. Nothing worked, and Ciyrs thought you wouldn’t ever wake up. All the tests showed there was nothing wrong. He’s been a wreck. He blames himself, and he made it his mission to figure out what was wrong and save you.”
“It’s no one’s fault. I guess I needed a vacation from me.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m sorry Pyra. I’m sorry you were mad at me, and I don’t even understand why. I’m sorry about the bond between me and Ciyrs too.”
“Don’t. None of it matters. I am the asshole—”
“Let’s just move on then.”
“You’ll forgive me that easily?”
I raised a brow. “Don’t you think the last few months have been punishment enough?”
He gulped and nodded. “It was the worst hell I’ve ever been in. They made me leave you every couple of days to shower and sleep. Otherwise I sat by you trying to find a way to wake you.”
I leaned into him and he wrapped both his arms around me. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. “Just you. I’m so cold, and I’ve missed you.”
He let out a breath. “God, I’ve missed you too, love. Don’t ever do that again.”
He kissed my hair and I shuddered. “I’m probably pretty gross, but I doubt I can take a shower.”
“If you don’t mind Mom helping you she offered knowing you’d probably want to get cleaned up. She’s been here every other day or so giving you a sponge bath.”
I blushed. “Oh man that’s so horrible.” I knew my hair was disgusting. “I would like that. That’s what I want, and I think the water will warm me up. My bones ache from being cold.”
“I’ll go get her.”
He lifted me back on the couch to where I could lean in the corner and not fall over and went outside. A few seconds later his mother came in smiling.
“It’s so good to see you’re awake. We were all pretty terrified.”
I nodded. I hadn’t had a chance to get to know her, but she was basically my mother in law. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Of course honey. You’re family, and I wouldn’t trust any of the men to do this right. They wouldn’t know what to do.” She laughed and I smiled.
She helped me to my feet and I wobbled. “How long is this going to last?”
“It could be a few days.”
My shoulders slumped as I was led to the bathroom. I moved like an old woman and when I looked in the mirror I gasped in horror. I looked horrible.
Chapter 6
Pyra waited for Eden to get cleaned up and paced around. He didn’t want to be away from her any longer than he had to be. There was too much lost time, and he was a wreck. He’d gone home and taken a shower while his mother was with her.
His mother helped her out and she smiled at him. “She’s all good to go. I told her to just holler if she needed me.”
He jumped up and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” He took over and guided Eden to the couch. He hated how weak she was. She was rail thin and didn’t look well, but to him she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“I feel like an old woman. Get me a walker so I don’t need help,” she said tensely.
He chuckled. His mate didn’t like to be taken care of, or needing help.
“Do you want to go home instead of
staying here? Ciyrs can do the tests later.”
“I want it over with. I want to know if I’m still going to freaking glow and heal like I did.”
“I doubt it. He thinks that is what caused this, but since no healer in all of history has ever brought a human back to life we have no fucking clue.”
“I still feel different, only less sick.”
He went into panic and sat her down and rushed away without waiting for her to say anything else. Ciyrs came rushing in behind him.
“He says you still feel off?”
I glared. “I didn’t mean to go get the doctor. I meant the changes I felt before, I still feel them, but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out or anything. I don’t feel like me though.”
Both men visibly relaxed and she laughed. “Geez calm down.”
“Eden you have no idea what it was like for us.”
“I know, I wasn’t aware of anything.”
“Well we were.”
“Fine, do your tests if you have to.”
Ciyrs took another few vials of blood and Pyra took her home. She wouldn’t be leaving his sight, and if he had to be somewhere someone would be with her. Last time he left her she went into a three month long coma.
I lay in Pyra’s bed and sipped broth from a coffee mug. It had been three weeks since I woke up and I was still too weak and everything else I ate came back up. From Pyra’s worried expression, he was about to cart me back home and have human doctors do some tests. Ciyrs still hadn’t found anything and no one would listen to me. I was fine—mostly. He hadn’t touched me sexually since that last night and I needed a release. He was so worried about hurting me, but I worried it was because I was so ugly. I couldn’t even stand to look at myself. I was a skeleton. It didn’t matter how much I tried to eat. Something in my life was missing, only I didn’t know what it was.
He came in and smiled. “How are you feeling, love.”
“The same. Come sit with me.”
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