Page 140 of His Retribution

"Of course." Henrich sighs. "Since she is not vampire it should not be a regular occurrence. So then why..." He turns to us and I just blink but my mate actually answers.

"I know why." She grins. "But I'm not going to tell anyone until I get confirmation, then tell my mate first."

Which I greatly appreciate despite how confused it has left me.

"And now, if you don't mind, I'd love to have a crack at the asshole who stabbed me."

Andrej nods and turns, then leads us to the room with the prison cell he had to fashion after Ivan took Posey.

It's the only one on the property, and wasn't something they wanted to create at all, but since life here has been nothing short of interesting, it seems to have become a necessity.

I notice the change in my mate almost immediately as Kai closes the door behind us. I feel her emotions, that is a given, but accompanying the anxious excitement and curious anger is a distinct shift, a powerful shift in her resolve.

I believe my mate just went full fae, and hot damn if I don't like the way it makes me tingle.

But that tingle turns into a sizzle, an electric heat the second Cora's eyes land on Joyce.

We are not barbarians, have not treated the plastic one poorly just because she attempted to kill my mate then refused to speak of it. She has been fed and watered, Posey and Grace assist her when she needs to use the bathroom, and even allow for her to freshen up. Of course Andrej and Karel are usually present as well, and we have not treated her inhumanly, but I'm a little concerned that Joyce's disheveled and exhausted appearance may be upsetting my mate.

Which would be a real mindfuck if Cora has any compassion left for the woman at all.

"Let me do what I need to do, ok?" my light says as she tugs on my hand. "No matter what, none of you can intervene, do not interrupt or ask questions. Got it?"

"Ok..." I frown down at the top of her head. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"You will see." Cora beams up at me. "Just let me do my thing." Then she glances at the wall of dragon brothers behind us. "You too. You four be on your best behavior and keep my mate from freaking out."

Wait, I'm going to possibly freak out over whatever she's going to do? I do not like the sound of this.

"Cora, angel, perhaps we should wait—"

Her fingers on my chin stop my protest. "Let me do this." Then she pulls me by the goatee toward her lips, kisses me nice and fucking slow before speaking against them. "If you let me do this now I can promise you will like the residual effects later."

Then her eyes flip open and I'm taken aback.

They are glowing the brightest, most intense sapphire blue ever. Not just shining in the afternoon sun or twinkling in mischief; no, they are actually fucking glowing like headlights with their brights on.

And with one more sinfully sweet kiss, Cora releases my face and turns to our prisoner. "Are you ok?"

What? This isn't a welfare check.

I did not allow her to face her attacker to make sure she is ok; did not bring her here to play nurse.

My mate plays nurse to no one but me.

This is far too strange for my liking.

But I somehow know shit is only about to get stranger.

Joyce grins in a way that doesn't exactly fit her face and makes it look distorted. "I am well."

Uh… and when did Joyce's voice drop about forty octaves?

I glance at my brothers, who look just as confused as I am, then continue watching.

"Not you." Cora's voice grows stern. "I want to speak to Joyce."

Joyce, or not Joyce, maybe Joyce? She rolls her eyes, that grin still in place. "But I want to speak to you."