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“You should get some rest,” Hyva says from behind me.

“No.”

He sighs as he pulls over a rolling stool. Shadows linger under his eyes, likely nearing the severity of what I’m sure mine look like. We sit side by side in silence, watching Neev’s chest rise and fall with each breath she takes.

“At least let me make up one of the extra beds for you, so you can sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when I know she’s going to be okay.”

He pulls out a tablet and sets it between us. “From everything I see, I’m hopeful she’ll make a full recovery. I’ve reset her wrist and injected her ribs with the serum to speed their healing. We saved her eye, and her brain patterns are normal.”

“When do you think she’ll wake?”

“That is one of the only things I can’t tell you.”

“Then get used to seeing me right here. I’m not moving until those gorgeous violet eyes of hers open.”

Altis walks in carrying two trays of food for us. He sets them on a rolling table and moves it behind where we’re sitting. I might not want to rest, but I know I at least need to continue to eat and fuel my body for the bedside vigil I’m keeping.

“Any word from Vynia?”

“Two inspectors were seen outside the village last night. They didn’t visit any businesses or homes.”

It’s worrisome if those who attacked my home were sent by the Sovereign. If he’s somehow aware of what I’m trying to do, it would make sense he’d try to take Neev out. I failed her by not providing more protection.

This is all on me.

Who knows if she’ll even want me when she wakes, knowing how I let her down and allowed her to fall into danger like this. I don’t deserve a mate. I don’t deserve her.

“Stop that.” Altis hits me in the chest with his fist. “Stop blaming yourself.”

“How can I not?” I look over my shoulder, hoping for a change but knowing she’ll still be laying there unconscious. “I shouldn’t have left her alone.”

“She was with Uzold.”

“An elder with minimal training.”

Hyva presses his lips together in a disapproving line. “Don’t do that. You know damn well that Uzold, despite his age and occupation, was more than capable of keeping her safe in almost any circumstance beyond confronting highly trained operatives. It tarnishes his memory.”

Shame washes over me. He’s right. Uzold taught the three of us so many things. It’s disrespectful to claim he wasn’t capable of protecting my mate.

“Feeling up to a spar?” I ask Altis.

“Yeah, I could go for a few rounds of kicking your head out of your ass.”

We finish eating, and Hyva and Altis give a minute alone with Neev. I sigh heavily and lean my forehead against hers, wishing I could trade places. Tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear, I brush my lips lightly over hers.

“Come back to me. I promise no harm will ever come to you if you just wake up.”

I watch her for a moment, willing something to change but turn when it doesn’t. Altis is waiting for me. I welcome the physicality of the fight and each strike as the penance I owe.

CHAPTER20

NEEV

* * *

Asoft hand lands on my shoulder, gently shaking me awake. My eyes flutter open to the distinctively empty and bright white space of my inner world. Eryx kneels beside me, a look of deep concern mars his face. His fingers trace the side of my face, even his light touch sends a shock wave of pain through me. I try to sit up, but shooting pains rips through my side at the attempt.