by Zora Marie
“I… all right. How’s Arlen?”
“How about you ask him yourself.” A figure darkened the light in the doorway and Dorn stood to kiss Arlen before whispering something on his way out. The pounding in her skull kept her from hearing his words.
“Room service,” Arlen said with a bit of forced cheer. He set the tray on the bedside table, then helped her sit up against the mountain of pillows on the bed.
“Thank you, but I’m not helpless.”
“Hush and just let me take care of you for once.”
“You’ve been taking care of me since we met.”
“Yes, well, that’s not a bad thing.”
Rina sighed. She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to win this one. “And how are you?”
“Nothing that a few days won’t fix.”
“Arlen, would you accept that answer from me?”
“No, but I’m not the one with a head injury.”
“I’m never going to hear the end of this, am I?”
“Not when I need you to take it seriously.” He set the tray of food in her lap and sat next to her.
“What do you mean?”
“How much did Dorn tell you?”
“Just that I have a skull fracture. It’ll heal.” She’d broken bones loads of times and had never had an issue with them. They were always painful, but physical pain had never been an excuse to not work. Now if it had been her back and she couldn’t feel her feet, then she’d be concerned
“Today’s will, but what about next time? Sealar says that your previous fracture didn’t heal properly. It’s making you more susceptible to new ones and even our healing can’t fix all old injuries. And why didn’t you tell me about your injured ribs? I wouldn’t have pushed you so hard today.”
“They were healed.”
“They weren’t.”
Rina sighed through her nose. They had felt healed, only a twinge here and there and anymore that felt like a blessing.
“Whatever the case, tell me from now on.”
She looked away, not wanting to burden him.
“Rina.”
“All right,” she whispered.
“Good, now eat. You missed lunch and dinner.”
“Never used to eat lunch anyways.”
“Rina.”
“All right, I’m eating.” She picked up an apple and was surprised at how sweet it was. Jake had never let her have one of his before, it was one of the few things he ate that wasn’t meat.
After she’d finished the apple and ate a few grapes, Arlen asked, “So how’s it feel to be in your fae form?”
She ran a finger along the back of an ear and found that it was indeed pointed rather than rounded. Blinking through the pounding in her head, she found the room seemed clearer than what it had in her human form. It was as if she’d been looking at the world with her eyes crossed all this time. “Different.” She wrinkled her nose. “What’s that smell?”
His grin told her well before his mouth opened.
“Me?” she asked with wide eyes. “Have I always smelled this bad?”
“Well, you haven’t had a bath since sparring this morning, and human forms always smell worse for some reason.”
“No wonder you suggested a bath last night. I reek.”
“Yes, well, if you’re not dizzy in the morning, you can take a bath then.”
“I kind of want one now.” She wasn’t sure how Arlen could stand to be around her, she reeked so bad.
“Not until you can walk across the room without swaying. Besides, you’ll learn to ignore things like that as you get used to your heightened senses.”
“That’s… fair.” She popped another grape in her mouth, her thoughts turning as she chewed. “How much trouble are you all in because of me?”
“Don’t worry about it. We were in trouble with Trazar long before you were born.”
“True, but still… I’ve made things worse, haven’t I?”
“Rina, please don’t worry about it. Enjoy the peace we can give you, even if it’s only for a little while.”
“I just hate being the cause of someone else’s suffering. First, it was Tomilin and now it’s all of you.”
“You’re not the cause of any of this. If anything, I am. I was supposed to find and bring you and Lyra back before you were old enough to walk. If I had, Lyra would have made Trazar drop any claim he had. Your parents never told me how they’d be able to do that, but I know they had an out ever since they decided they wanted to have a child—to have you.”
Rina didn’t like Arlen blaming himself any more than he liked her doing it. “It’s not either of our faults. We can’t help what others have done to us—the cards fate has dealt us.” Her mother had said that once while telling her a story, and it felt fitting given the circumstances.
“I can agree to that. Well, about done eating? You should at least get some sleep.”
She pushed the tray toward him, and Arlen set it on the dresser by the door.
“Will you…” She trailed off, not sure if she wanted to admit her fear of being alone at night. For as long as she could remember, she and Tomilin had slept next to each other, sharing their poor excuse for a bed.
“I’m not going anywhere. Healer’s orders are to keep an eye on you for the next twenty-four hours.”
She snuggled down in pillows and Arlen tucked the covers in around her. Some distant part of herself noted how haggard he looked, but she was too groggy to argue against him being the one to watch over her. And if she was honest, she liked that it was him.
Though maybe, she also wouldn’t mind if it were Fen…
24
Fen
Fen paced the halls, the wood floor cool against his paws. With each pass, he stared at the door that led to Rina’s room, unable to stop himself. He couldn’t get the image, the feel of her convulsing in his arms from his mind. Sealar made it sound like this wouldn’t be the last time and that it would be worse next time. And there would be a next time because no matter how hard they tried, they would never be able to protect her from ever getting attacked again. Their lives were too long for it not too. He wanted to argue that they were wrong, that he could protect her. But he knew in his heart that she would never allow it, knew because of the way she’d snapped the moment she saw Arlen getting attacked. Even if she wouldn’t argue against it, he refused to be the kind of male that locked their mate away from the world.
“Fen,” Amber growled as he neared her room for what had to be the hundredth time, “you’re worse than Arlen. If I have to stay here, can you at least go pace in your own room?”
Fen bared his teeth at Amber in protest but slunk down the hall to his room at the far end of the hallway. He nudged the door shut behind him and sighed as he hunched to jump on the bed. His Father was right. Rina didn’t need him right now, she needed Arlen and Dorn. The bed still didn’t call his name and he debated what he could do.
Bookshelves loomed around him and he stared up at them. She’d shown interest in the library, perhaps she’d like some books of her own to read or listen to. He didn’t know what she would like though. Perhaps a variety would be best, let her get a taste for the different genres. He shifted and went on a hunt for his favorites.
He started stacks of his favorites in several genres and groaned as the stacks reached the height of his bed. It wouldn’t do to overwhelm her with books.
The first to make it on the bed was an epic that was littered in history, then a book of poetry, one of pure fantasy, and another of romance titled Wings of Gold. He tossed two more books on for good measure. Afraid to be caught in his pajamas during an attack, he shifted back to his panther form and curled up next to the books, imagining Rina was sprawled beside him as he purred himself to sleep.
A hand stroked his head, soothing him into wakefulness. He batted it away as he sat up. His father sat eye to eye with him, yet he couldn’t read the emotions in them. He shifted and asked, “How is she?”
“She woke up in the middle of the night and Arlen got her to eat a little before she fell back asleep. She’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, may not be if you don’t make breakfast before the girls get back.”
Fen glanced at the window, the sky outside was beginning to lighten. He should have started breakfast ages ago.
“I’m glad you got at least a little sleep, but don’t forget to make extra to take out to some of the new guards around the house.”
Fen groaned. He understood why they needed guards around the house for now, but it didn’t make him like it. Guards were for the castle and public events, not their personal home.
“Oh hush, you know taking breakfast out to them is just one small way of strengthening our bond with our warriors. I know you don’t like having a bunch of others around watching you, but we need them here to protect Rina because I can’t be everywhere at once.”
“You could bestow some of your power on me, so I can protect her.”
“And put a bigger target on your back? I don’t think so.”
“Bigger target? How am I supposed to protect myself, let alone her, if you won’t give me anything? All the other heirs my age have been gifted power.”
“Fen,” Farin growled, “we will discuss this later.”
“When? This can’t wait. Father, I need to be able to protect her. I suck with a sword and throwing knives only does so much good. I have to be able to protect her.”
Farin sighed through his nose. “I’ll think about it. For now, go get breakfast started.”
Fen groaned. His father may as well have said no for all the good that phrase had ever done him. Arguing wouldn’t help though. He’d have to prove that he was ready for the power. Prove that he wasn’t a liability.
“I had some bread brought in this morning, so you could make eggy bread.”
“Got it,” Fen grumbled as he slid off the bed and headed for the bathroom.
His father was gone by the time he came out, his hair re-braided and clothes changed. He could hear Ash and Amber talking in his Father’s study when he passed and picked up his pace to the kitchen. He paused at the threshold, just yesterday he had spent the morning with Rina without realizing she was his mate. Stop obsessing. He shook his head and forced himself to busy his mind with cooking.
Soon he had a small mountain of eggy bread and a ton of chopped fruits. He noticed that a tray was gone and figured it must be in Rina’s room.
“Good morning, Fen.” Dorn padded in on bare feet for the morning’s tea. “Breakfast smells delicious as usual.”
“Thanks. How’s Rina doing?” His father had told him, but he couldn’t help but ask again.
“Better. Wafren wants her to take it easy for the next few days, we’ll see how long that lasts.”
Fen smiled at the exasperation in Dorn’s tone. “Will she be joining us for breakfast?”
“No. Would you mind making a couple of plates for us? Arlen and I will eat with her this morning. I’d like to keep her away from the drama going on outside for at least a little while.”
“Of course,” Fen said and was unable to keep the note of disappointment from his tone.
Dorn sighed and handed him a cup of tea. “Know that I’m here if you want to talk. I know Lyra was the one you always confided in, but I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you. I’ll bring breakfast by for you in a few.”
Dorn nodded and picked up the two trays of tea and headed for the door.
“Oh, I can pull some books for you to distract and teach Rina with if you like.” Fen held his breath, hopeful that he could at least do this one thing for her.
Dorn paused in the doorway, his head tilted in that way he did while contemplating something. “I think she’d like that.”
The moment Dorn was gone, he gathered their plates and filled each with food. He knew what Dorn and Arlen preferred, but wasn’t sure about Rina. So, he settled on a small variety of fruits he knew were common on the other side of the border. He was glad Dorn hadn’t insisted he’d return for the plates as it meant he could see for himself that she was all right, and perhaps he could purge the image of her convulsing from his mind.
The tower of eggy bread at his right loomed and he sighed. He needed to take that out first so the guards could demolish it before it got cold. Pulling the folding serving cart out from between the cabinet and wall, he loaded it up with platters and bowls. The thought of walking it through the woods to the small barracks tucked away in the forest made him antsy. He didn’t want to be that far away from Rina for that long, plus he was running behind. Checking his magic reserves, he nodded to himself, and pushed the cart through the shadow plane.
Darkness enveloped him for a split second before he popped out in the barracks that were little more than a modernized log cabin. Prat stood in the middle of the walkway and Fen had to grab the platter of eggy bread to keep it from sliding off as he halted a hair’s breadth from the male. A blade was out and in his face faster than Fen could blink and he glared at the offending object.
Pratt cursed as he flicked the blades back into their hiding spots. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry,” Fen muttered and pushed the cart around the warrior and into the mess hall. “Breakfast!” He called and a few heads popped out of rooms on the second story.
A younger warrior Fen couldn’t recall the name of dropped over the safety railing with a grin. “Thanks, Fen.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy. I need to get back before the last batch burns,” he said, and shadow walked away. The lie left a bitter taste in his mouth, especially since he hadn’t stayed to chat with the guards, but the need to check on Rina was hounding him.
He finished putting together their plates and stared at a fourth, tempted to join them. Shaking his head, he put the three plates on a serving tray. He’d promised to give her space and inviting himself to breakfast was the opposite of that. Every step down the hall he reminded himself of his promise. He’d given his word and while he wasn’t bound to keep this in particular, he would do his best to keep his word.
The door had been left open to reveal Rina sitting curled up in a mound of pillows on the couch, a cup of tea in her hands and Arlen next to her. Her hair was wet, as though she had just taken a bath and had turned down Dorn’s offer to dry it. Her gaze was distant as he set their plates down. There was a sad expression on her face, but then she blinked and it was gone.
“Thank you, Fen,” she glanced between him and the plates, “for breakfast and for yesterday.”
“You— you’re welcome,” Fen stammered over his words like a love-struck child. Arlen had a hint of a smile when he glanced at him and he forced himself to swallow his nerves. “Let me know if you need anything.” Heat crept to his face as he backed out of the room and nearly ran into Dorn on his way.
25
Arlen
A hint of a smile curled Rina’s lips, but it faded as fast as it’d come. He could still feel her hand in his. She’d grabbed it shortly after falling asleep, clutching it like a lifeline and he couldn’t bring himself to pull his hand from hers. She was so stubborn like her mother, yet vulnerable like his brother that he wasn’t sure if he should be frustrated with her for putting herself in danger or just be happy that she would be all right. He rubbed a hand over his face in an attempt to wipe the exhaustion from his mind. Mulling that question over, the similarities and differences between her and her parents had helped him stay up all night. Yet, despite it, he didn’t have an answer.
Dorn shook his head as Fen disappeared down the hallway and that distant look returned to Rina’s gaze as though she lived in a fog. He hated to see her like this, yet he couldn’t let her out of his sight. Her short bath being the only exception. Even then, he’d strained to listen for the movement of water, to be sure she was all right. Dorn shut the door before joining them on the couch.
“You need to eat.” Dorn took the barely touched cup of tea from Rina’s hands and replaced
it with a plate and fork.
Her gaze shifting to the food, she let out a long breath before forcing herself to eat. Arlen wanted more than anything to know the thoughts that bothered her so much when her emotions felt empty and hollow. Last night Dorn had shifted the block around Rina to include him, so he could feel what she was projecting easier. She’d project whether it was good for her or not.
“You, too.” Dorn placed a plate in front of him.
Digging into his own helping of eggy bread, Dorn said, “Farin wants to talk with both of us after breakfast.”
“Do you know why?” A sinking feeling settled in Arlen’s gut when Dorn glanced at Rina.
“Ash will come let us know when they’re done eating.”
“May I join you?” Rina asked. “I’d like to know what stories Lord Trazar is spinning.”
“I…” Dorn paused as though debating his words. “We’ll have to ask. I’m not positive what Farin is planning to discuss.”
Rina pursed her lips for a moment, then continued eating her breakfast, her eyes a little clearer than they had been. A knock on the door was the only sound in the silence. Ash poked her head in, looking at Dorn.
“I’ll go.” Arlen set his plate on the table and stood. Once he reached the hallway, Ash raised a brow at him, no doubt taking in his haggard eyes.
“I thought the two of you were going to take turns watching her?”
Arlen shrugged and headed toward Farin’s study. “Dorn hasn’t been sleeping well and I didn’t feel like waking him. I’ll take a nap.”
“Mhm. Want me to sit with her?”
“She wants to join us.”
“Oh. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Think what’s a good idea?” Farin asked as they opened the door.
“Rina would like to join us this morning.”
“How is she doing?”
“She’s closing herself off, but she seems to be fine other than that,” he said as he sank into a seat across from Farin.
