Page 9

WREN

Floating. That was the first thing I felt. Like floating on a sea of puffy warmth. Some part of my brain recognized that wasn’t exactly possible, but I wouldn’t fight it. Because it felt amazing .

There was no pain, fear, or loneliness. Just peace and cozy heat.

Something about that thought had my brows furrowing, part of me trying to remember.

“Wren?”

That voice. It was a deep, raspy heat of a different sort. But it hurt. Because I wanted it, and it wasn’t mine.

My eyelids fluttered. Each sweep let in snapshots of light, so bright it made me squint.

“Nice and easy. It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Kingston.

His face slowly came into focus. The room, as well—one that had once been mine for a time. It was in the big, beautiful house I’d wanted to belong in but didn’t. Just like this was a man I wanted to belong with but didn’t.

Kingston’s pale-blue eyes looked tired, and the thick scruff covering his jaw said much the same. He leaned over me, concern sweeping across his expression. “Are you in pain? Do you need any meds?”

I tried to mentally assess. My muscles ached like I’d done an especially hard workout but I had no pain. I was tired, but other than that, I felt remarkably good. “I’m okay.”

The words came out as more of a croak, but King’s shoulders sagged in relief. He reached out as if to brush a strand of hair away from my face.

“Don’t.” The word cracked through the silent room, and I recoiled.

Kingston froze, agony replacing the relief painted across his features. “I’m sorry. I?—”

The door swung open, and Locke’s familiar figure filled the opening. “She’s awake.” He glared at King. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“She just woke up,” Kingston mumbled as he stood from the bed.

“I made you some juice. It has the herbs the healer recommended for getting your strength back.” Locke replaced King on the bed, setting the glass on the bedside table. His hand slid through mine, and warmth filled me. “I’m so glad you’re awake.”

“Me, too,” I whispered. Tears pressed against the backs of my eyes, dying to be released. I did everything I could to push them down, but a few sprang free.

“Wren,” Locke whispered, his hands coming up to frame my face, his thumbs sweeping across my cheeks to wipe away the tears. “You’re safe. We’ve got you.”

That only made me cry harder. Because they didn’t have me. No one did. Even though I’d made it through hell yet again, I was still unbearably alone.

“I’ll leave you two,” Kingston said, his voice low. “Call if you need anything.”

And then he was gone. More evidence of that aloneness.

Locke leaned into me and nuzzled my neck. “I’ve got you.”

That was easier to hear because Locke had never wavered. He’d always been right there with his quiet strength and reassurance. My hand lifted and sifted through his brown hair.

He pulled back to stare into my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” I croaked.

He moved then, reaching for the glass of purple liquid with a bendy straw. “Take a drink.”

I pushed myself up onto the pillows, feeling depressingly weak. I accepted the glass and took a small sip. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a healer’s concoction, but it tasted great. Like berries and cream with a sweet aftertaste.

“This is amazing.”

Locke grinned as if I’d told him he won the lottery. “I wanted to make sure it was delicious and nutritious.”

My lips twitched. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Puck’s working on a light breakfast. You were in and out the past couple of hours, so we knew you’d wake soon.”

That had me frowning. “How long have I been out?”

Locke winced. “Two weeks.”

I jerked upright, nearly spilling my drink. “Two weeks ?”

He nodded. “Hera—that’s the healer—put you into a healing slumber. It only ends when your injuries are fully healed.”

Healing slumbers were no joke. They took a lot out of a healer, which meant they couldn’t perform them often. It also meant they were ridiculously expensive.

“How?” I whispered.

Locke gave me a sad smile. “King has many contacts. He pulled out all the stops.”

My gaze drifted to the door Kingston had disappeared through. Guilt and hurt swirled inside me in equal measure. King’s tenderness only made the loss of him harder to bear.

“Is everyone else okay?” I asked, turning back to Locke. My memories of them rescuing me were fuzzy at best.

Something passed over Locke’s features, and panic gripped me. “Who was hurt?” I demanded.

“No one,” Locke said quickly. “Well, King was shot, but it healed quickly.”

“Ender and Brix?”

The last person in the world I should be worried about was Ender, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

“End’s fine. He’s out patrolling, making sure we don’t have any other unwelcome visitors in the area.”

I shivered at the thought. “Brix?”

Locke went quiet. “He didn’t deal with you being taken well.”

Tension swept through my muscles. “What does that mean?”

“He’s hunting the Death Walkers. Said he wouldn’t come home until every single one of them are dead.”