Page 60 of Night Fae

He tried to push himself up and immediately regretted the decision as the room tilted sickeningly around him. Daniel's hands steadied him.

"Whoa. Maybe don't try to sit up just yet."

Malik sank back against the pillows, frustrated by his weakness. "Zev?"

Daniel and Adrian exchanged a glance that sent a spike of worry through Malik's chest.

"He's here in the palace," Adrian said carefully. "In one of the guest chambers."

"Is he okay?" The question slipped out before Malik could think better of it.

Another exchanged look.

Daniel sighed. "We're not happy with him right now."

"Why?" Malik asked.

"Because…" Adrian hesitated.

"Because of me?" Malik guessed. Really, they didn't have to tiptoe around the topic. Malik was fully aware of what had happened to him.

"Knox had to separate you two," Adrian said. "Zev lost control. He was…"

"Dangerous," Daniel finished. "He fought with Caelen in the Singing Gardens and... well, they kind of destroyed the place. Which is a damn shame. I loved that garden."

Malik blinked, trying to process this new information. "They fought?"

"Caelen claims he was helping Zev burn off energy." Adrian ran a hand through his hair. "A few guards ended up injured."

"Where is Zev now?" Malik asked.

"East wing," Daniel said. "That's where all the nice guest quarters are. Caelen isn't mad at him, but I am," Daniel added. "Zev almost killed you."

"Caelen almost killed you once or twice," Malik pointed out.

"No, he didn't." Daniel crossed his arms in front of his chest, and Malik knew there would be no arguing with him… and Malik was too exhausted to argue anyway.

"Look," he said. "I supported you when you fell for the villain, so…"

Adrian turned to him. "Are you saying you're falling for Zev?"

Malik almost laughed at the surprise in Adrian's tone. He'd been Caelen's prisoner. A legit damsel in distress locked up in a basement, and then a drop-dead gorgeous night fae warrior with the most beautiful violet eyes came and carried him out princess-style.

Who wouldn't have fallen?

Zev would always be his hero, no matter how hard he was struggling with everything that was going on.

And Malik knew that Zev was struggling.

Do you think I want another person to die because they cared about me?

He remembered those words from his dream.

Had Zev really said that?

A shadow crossed the doorway, interrupting Malik's thoughts. A slender fae woman with silver markings around her eyes stepped into the room. One of the healers?

"You're awake," she observed, approaching the bed. "How do you feel?"