Page 32 of A Fate of Blood and Magic (Fated #2)

Outside, I heard George, Alastor, and Pietro.

I tried to listen to what they were saying, but I was unable to do so.

I turned instead to Kieren. His cheeks had reddened with his mounting fever, and I wondered if I could use the herbs to make him another tea.

It’d been a little over an hour since he’d first taken it, and the headmistress of the orphanage had said he should take it every four hours.

But still, this fever couldn’t be good for him.

I stood, steadying myself on the couch when my body swayed.

“Miss Teddy,” the female lirio said from the kitchen.

George and Alastor must’ve heard the alarm in her voice because they both rushed in with swords in their hands. George was the first to put his away while Alastor scanned the room with quiet assessment. When he was satisfied, he also tucked his sword away.

“Sorry.” I let out a forced laugh. “I just got a little dizzy.” I rubbed a hand to my temple before I snapped my attention toward the kitchen. “I forgot about the soup.” When I moved, the female lirio lifted a hand.

Another wave of dizziness hit me, so when George guided me to sit back down, I did.

“I saw you were making a broth and finished it for you,” she said. “I hope that’s okay.”

On the couch, I turned my body to the side to see her better. I sighed, my eyes burning with tears that I brushed away. “Thank you,” I told her. “I’m sorry, but I don’t even know your name.”

“We’ve never properly met.” She grinned, her sharp teeth on display. “I’m Fia.” She pressed a fist to her chest and bowed.

“Thank you, Fia,” I said. “For everything. I—” I wanted to say so much more, but I didn’t know where to start.

Hell, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stop if I did get started. Twenty people had surrounded my house, along with the two who’d made it in. Despite Kieren’s quick thinking, the two of us wouldn’t have been able to fight them off.

We were alive because of Alastor and those two lirio.

“Don’t you worry yourself about anything but you and your younglings.”

I peered back at Kieren, who started to shiver. “I don’t know what to do for him,” I whispered, worry making my words quake.

She angled her head to the side. “Call for a healer.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, where a twinge of pain settled. “Pietro told me the healers are all busy.”

So many fae were still in critical condition because of the humans who’d abducted and tortured them. Regardless, I wanted to ask for Leah to come so she could tend to Kieren, but I was sure it made me selfish when others needed her attention more.

She put her large hands on her narrow waist. “Are you not mated to the prince of Niev?” she asked. “A healer can get unoccupied to tend to you and yours.”

George chuckled, while Alastor kept his features emotionless, aside from a slight twitch of his lips. I laid a hand over my mouth to hide my smile.

With a shake of my head, I ran a hand through Kieren’s hair. He blinked up at me before he closed his eyes again.

“Do you want me to turn off the lights?” I asked.

“They’re not bothering me.” His reply came back sleepy.

“Go on and tell the messenger you need a healer,” Fia urged. “Your broth is ready whenever your boy wants it. I hope you don’t mind, but I took care of the mess in the hall.”

Acid turned in my stomach, the pain in my temple and at the base of my neck intensifying at the reminder of the man I’d killed. I pushed it down, promising I’d let myself fall apart over it later.

If only Elias were here. I’d give anything to be in his arms. It was the only place I knew I’d be able to completely relax.

“I can use my magic to tend to Kieren,” Alastor said, turning his attention to the young fae. “If you don’t mind?”

“I’d appreciate it,” Kieren replied.

Alastor shifted to kneel in front of Kieren. The ribbons of his green magic poured into Kieren, and as they swept through him, his complexion lightened as the last of his shivers stopped. He remained lying on the couch, his body slackened as he took a deep breath.

I touched his cooled cheeks before I pressed my palm to his forehead. Relief flooded me .

“I’m better at mending broken bones than treating ailments,” Alastor said. He shifted on his knees to sit on the floor. “I’ve taken the worst of it, but his fever will return. He’ll need to see a proper healer.”

When I stood, Alastor stood with me. “Is Pietro still here?”

“Outside,” my cousin replied. “I think you should call for Leah. I don’t know much about pregnancies and don’t trust that I could miss something important if I were to assess you and your babes.”

I put a protective hand over my stomach.

“He’s right.” Kieren inched up, his worried gaze on me.

I knew they were both right, but fear kept me from wanting to know. How many times had I heard about fae miscarrying, even after they took the finest care of their unborn babies? And here I was, moments after some asshole had thrown me over his shoulder and slammed my back against the wall.

“I’m sure the babes are fine,” Alastor said, his words carrying far more certainty than I felt. “This is only a precaution.”

I wanted to know—no, I needed to know if they were okay, but I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to find out the truth without Elias. Because what if . . .

No, they were fine. They had to be.

“Your babes are blessed with strong parents. I’m sure they’re fine, Ted, but Leah can catch any early signs of danger. I know you’re scared right now, but I also know you’d be dragging Everly or Ryenne to see a healer if they’d suffered something similar while pregnant,” George added.

I huffed out an irritated breath and forced a tease in my voice. “I hate it when the men in my life are right. Thank God none of you are Elias. He would’ve whisked me away by now. ”

George grinned. “Don’t think I haven’t considered it.”

“Ass,” I muttered, hoping I did a good job disguising the concern that ran through me.

His grin grew. “This ass is going to go grab Pietro so you can give him your royal command.”

Despite myself, I laughed.

“Feel free to lay it on thick and make him squirm,” he continued as he walked away.

“You and Everly are spending too much time with Donnie and Ryenne,” I told his departing back. “You’re starting to talk like them.”

At the broken door, he looked over his shoulder. “I’ll make sure to tell Nate you neglected to add him as part of our group.”

“Ugh.” I grabbed a small cushion that had fallen to the floor and threw it at his back.

With a smirk, he caught it before tossing it back to me.

“I can’t stand you,” I shouted as he stepped outside.

He laughed.

Kieren shook his head in amusement from his position on the couch. I couldn’t help but wonder what he thought of us, especially of Elias, now that he knew us all better.

When George returned, Pietro followed, lingering just outside as if he were waiting for an invitation I didn’t want to extend.

“I’m sorry to ask this of you,” I told the guard. “I know we’ve had you running around all over town, but I’d like for Leah to come. Or another healer if she’s busy, but I’d prefer if it were Leah.”

“Are you unwell?” Worry deepened the lines around his mouth while his light brown eyes flared.

“I’d like her to see both Kieren and me.”

“Our healers are busy tending to the fae who were just returned to us from your realm,” he said, his tone heavy with disapproval. “If you’ll allow me to take you to the castle, I’m sure she could see you, but the young male . . .”

“Please bring her back here to see both Kieren and me,” I bit out.

Pietro narrowed his eyes at me before he nodded. “It would be good for her to check on your unborn babes at this time.” With that, he bent space in search of Leah.

“Asshole,” I muttered.

A thunderous roar came from overhead. Immediately, my heart stalled as I fought against the hope that clambered its way through my chest. I ran outside, down the front porch steps, and stared at the sky. Hoping the roar was in fact as familiar as I thought it was.

My heart thundered, carrying me to the center of our front yard with George and Kieren only a few steps behind. I cast a hand over my forehead to shield my eyes from the blaring sun as I searched.

Small snowflakes landed on my face, and I had to blink several times to see properly. That deafening roar came again, and the quiet blue sky was suddenly drenched in flames.

And there she was. The stunning green dragon I’d thought of every day since she’d left. The one whose portrait hung on the wall of our dining room.

Powerful wings fanned out as she tilted her massive body to the side to circle above us.

“Nalari,” I called out, unsure if she’d still have her end of our connection closed.

“Why is it I can’t leave you and Elias alone without you getting into trouble? ”

I smiled up at the soaring dragon, watching her large wings beat as she flew toward us.

“His foolishness must be rubbing off on me,” I answered.

“It’s a good thing I’m back to rid you of that nonsense,” she said through another roar.

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