Page 31 of The Healer (The Blood of Legends #2)

Chapter Thirty-One

REVELATIONS

“J ust using the bathroom.” Ilona shut the bathroom door and slid down it. Her mind reeled, while her heart leaped and danced. She couldn’t focus on any of the revelations from the past hour.

“Fuck me, James, Evie,” she whispered as soon as her friend answered the call. “I’m his mate, I’m a bear, and he loves me.”

“Oh.” Squealing followed then halted. “Wait, what?”

Tidal waves of emotion crashed against Ilona’s heart, only to recede and another to form. Air was scarce, and she struggled to inhale without asphyxiating herself. “I’ll text you the details. I don’t know how I feel about this.”

“Which part, girl?”

“I love him,” Ilona smiled, “so only two out of three to deal with.”

“And love conquers all, or they wouldn’t sing about it all the damn time. So, which one is the worst of the two remaining? Becoming a shifter or that you’re his mate?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, figure it out. As a shifter, we have access to your blood without needing to ask permission. Wacky doctor tests on herself. That ain’t news.” Evie bit into something crunchy and chewed.

“Apparently, becoming an animal is super painful.” Ilona stroked her scar and rested her hand over her thumping heart.

“So? Like women don’t give birth and live to tell the tale. Is it the mating thing? Did he go on one knee? What’s the story?”

Trust Evie to dumb it down, which was why Ilona had called her. If anyone could help her see reason, it was her bestie.

“He didn’t ask, just lost control…um…during sex, and made the mating permanent.” Ilona bit her lip. “Part of me is on cloud nine that he loves me, has married me. The other part wants to crawl in a hole and hide.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose and sighed. “I should be pissed, right?”

“You’re asking me? Honey, I’m still trying to date Eric. What if I wrestle him to the floor and chloroform him? In which country is that legal?”

Ilona chuckled. “Well, you could move here and choose a shifter yourself. If that’s possible, I mean, with you being human.” She frowned. How had they gotten onto Evie’s rollercoaster love life?

Rhys called her name, and Ilona whispered, “I’ve got to go. I’ll text later.” She scrambled off the floor and used the toilet because she did need to. While washing her hands, he rapped on the door. “I’m done.”

With two fingers, he pushed the door open and leaned against the frame. “You okay?”

She bit her lip. Lying wouldn’t solve anything, but how could she put into words the pendulum swing of her emotions. “I don’t know. I love that you love me, Rhys. Just…all the other stuff.”

He tugged her against him, and his strength soaked into her limbs. Sighing, she snuggled deeper, almost feeling as if she had come home. “Did you want the grand gestures, the rings, the white wedding? Anything for you, Lona-love.”

“A proposal would have been nice.” She titled her head to rest her chin on his chest. He dipped to kiss her, a brushing of his lips across hers, nothing more. “Gran might insist on a wedding.”

He tucked a curl behind her ear, stroked her jaw, and pinched her chin, holding her still for another kiss. “She might ask for a double wedding.”

Ilona laughed. “Oh, no, let’s not do that.”

“We’ll have the best cake.”

She groaned. “I’d love a slice of cake.”

“Or apple pie?” He released her to cup her cheeks, holding her still for one of his devasting kisses, deep, penetrative, thorough, snatching her breath again. “I love you, Lona.”

She smiled. “You’re just lucky I love you too. I should be losing my shit here.”

“I’m grateful you aren’t.” Capturing her hand, he pressed his lips to her knuckles and led her to an SUV parked out front. “Noah brought my car.”

She settled in the front seat. The interior carried the rich scent of Rhys’s cologne. While putting on her shoes, she had shoved her bank cards in her back pocket. She couldn’t expect Rhys to pay… “Let’s talk finances.”

He jerked back and flicked a startled glance at her. “What about them?”

“You don’t have a day job, so how do you survive?”

“Most shifters have work, but some serve the pack. Those with steady income help where it’s needed.”

She gaped. “So, any money I earn would—?”

“Go to our family, then to the pack. We also receive donations and have made investments.” He gripped and released the steering wheel. “All new. I haven’t been alpha long.”

“So, you wouldn’t mind if I bought things?” She placed a hand over his white-knuckled fist on the gear shift. “My parents made me independently wealthy. Whatever I want or need has been taken care of.”

His eyes bulged. “We’ll need to invest.”

“Dad already did. I’ll show you his documents. Maybe there are investments you might consider worthy.”

He nodded.

“I’m asking because some couples have joint accounts and others share living expenses but not their full earnings. Since my ‘marriage’ was a surprise, we haven’t had a chance to talk about this.”

“I won’t lie, Lona, money is a sore point. Alrik, the last alpha, squandered what we had. I’m trying desperately to feed and house my people unable to help themselves. The incident with George’s brothers highlighted a serious need. As you saw, your cabin was upgraded, and is the first of many.”

“Well, we’ll see how much disposable income I have and where we can plug holes.” She patted his hand. “With your big ass, we’ll need to buy an expensive leather couch.” She grinned at his snort. “On me, of course.”

He flipped his hand and laced his fingers through hers, lifting it to kiss her knuckles. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Yup, that’s the attitude right there for a successful marriage.”

“Mating.” He chuckled.

“You say potato…” She grinned, letting him navigate traffic to park outside a massive furniture warehouse.

Laughter followed as he tested couch after couch. The TV was a quick choice, the largest they had, but the couch? In the end, she put her foot down when he sprawled her across his lap. A three-seater, a two-seater in brown leather and with overstuffed cushions. For an extra fee, they would deliver that day.

When Rhys stopped outside a diner, her heart leaped to choke her.

“You did say apple pie.” He winked and climbed out the car, circling the hood to open the door for her while she struggled to control the urge to cry.

“I did, and damn, I love you for it.”

After cinnamon-apple-golden goodness with double whipped cream, they returned to his pack’s land. She didn’t know how big it was, but he parked outside a two-story building with a massive wraparound porch.

“This is the clubhouse, with bedrooms for those in need. It’s my office, so to speak. Let’s see who’s around.” He ushered her up the wooden steps and into the well-lit confines sporting haphazard furniture, a few desks, and stairs leading to the next floor.

“Rhys, and this must be Ilona, welcome.” A woman hurried to hug Rhys and offer Ilona her hand for a shake.

“Ilona this is Madison. She runs the school.”

While clasping the woman’s hand, Ilona gaped. “You have a school? How big is your land?”

He shrugged. “ A few hectares, I think.”

Madison laughed and brushed chestnut-colored hair off her face. “Rhys never was one for geography.”

“I know where Fenneg is.” He circled an arm around Ilona’s waist and tugged her against him.

“Uncle Rhys.” A little girl burst through the open front door and threw herself at him.

He laughed and picked her up, tossing her into the air as another man hovered at the door. His black attire was stark against his pale skin. “Lona-love, this is George.”

So, this was the polymorph? Brown hair and eyes and with the cutest nose, the girl blinked at Ilona.

She beamed, tugging and yanking on the girl’s pink skirt. “I want one just like this, but Uncle Rhys won’t let me.” She added an exaggerated pout. “He’s a meanie.”

“Uncle Rhys.” George wagged a little finger at him. “Pink’s bootiful. Gabe says so.”

“Be-you-tee-full,” Madison said, but her gaze lingered on the man at the door.

George pouted. “That’s what I said.”

Rhys chuckled. “Are you going home now, cupcake?”

“Yup.” She grabbed his beard and yanked him down for a kiss on the cheek. “See you tomorrow.” Wiggling, she forced him to release her. With a wave, she slid her hand into the stranger’s and out they went.

“Um…that man?” Ilona gestured with her thumb. “Suckblood?”

“Not you too.” Madison threw her hands into the air.

Rhys laughed and grabbed Ilona’s hand. “Call if you need anything, Maddy.” He ushered Ilona to the car and lifted her in. “She’s in love with him. Maybe. And yes, he’s a suckblood. One of Dimi’s men.”

“At some point, you have to break down the packs and holds for me,” Ilona said when Rhys settled into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“It’s not that complicated. Each city has a pack and, therefore, an alpha.” He smirked. “Now vamps are little more arbitrary. The holds report to the Drimari Council which metes out justice, or so I’m told. And any number of holds can exist in a city. Inner City has five, governed by a king, and in this case, Syl of the de Winter hold. Got it?”

She frowned. “Coedwig has vamps?”

“Nope. The town’s too small for their liking.” His blue eyes turned molten. “I want to test out our couch and the TV.”

She studied his eagerness, the way his gaze lingered on her lips. “Maybe the couch first,” she rasped. “Who knows how long it will take you to master the TV.”

He grinned. “Good point.”

“I’ve never seen him like this.”

Ilona shrieked, startled awake to find a woman in her bedroom. “Who…?” Fear choked her, and she sliced a glance at the closed bedroom door, then at the sealed windows. “How did you—?”

“Callista de Winter.” The woman beamed, and with a flick of her fingers, light engulfed the room. “Well, to be fair, I’m ex-human, now a suckblood.” One moment she sat in the leather cub chair, the next she gripped Ilona by the shoulders. “Let me have a look at you.” With a familiar emerald gaze, she studied Ilona’s face, humming at intervals. “I can see Aunt Mona in you.”

Ilona gasped. “You know my gran?”

“I used to when my parents were alive. I must have been about six when I last saw her, though.” Callie chuckled. “Kind of makes us cousins.”

“Wait, what did you mean when you said you’ve never seen him like this? Who?” Ilona’s mind was reeling, what with Callie confirming they were related as Rhys suspected.

“Why, Rhys, of course. The last time I saw him, he didn’t hear a word I said, then chewed me out. I liked that about him, the big old teddy bear.” Callie flicked a dismissive hand. “Since we met, he’s been uber polite, like I might rip his head off. Then he returned from Coedwig with fire.”

“He did?” Ilona squeaked.

“Sure thing.” Callie grinned. “I can see why. You’re gorgeous.”

Ilona cupped the side of her face, trying to hide the scar.

Callie brushed her hand away. “The idiot loves you. What does it matter what you look like? Besides, it’s faded. Dimi said he had to lick you.” With a curt nod, she settled on the edge of the bed. “Vampire saliva works wonders.”

Ilona blinked. So it is in their saliva? “Where’s Rhys?” She patted the bed beside her, finding a lingering warmth.

“A busted water main or something.” Callie grinned, unrepentant. “I wasn’t going to wait for the teddy bear to bring you to meet me. George told me about you, and I came right over.”

With another flick, Ilona wore head-to-toe pajamas. Gasping, she fingered the silk of her instant-clothing. Her door swung open to a tall man wearing a stiff smile.

She blinked at him, dazed by his silvery eyes and good looks.

He growled, “he’s on his way back.” Then he was gone, like vanished.

“Well, that’s my cue.” Callie rose. “Make Rhys bring you for a visit. Oh, before I forget.” With a click of her fingers, a pink skirt draped across the foot end of the bed.

Ilona gaped at it. What the hell? Did suckbloods have magic? Like the man had done, Callie vanished as the front door opened.

Clambering off the bed, Ilona hurried to the living room. She slumped at the sight of Rhys. Questions burned her tongue, but they would have to wait. He was drenched, his jeans and T-shirt clinging to him. He squelched as he tip-toed in. She rested her ass on the back of the couch and smiled.

He stilled while peeling off his shirt. “Hey, I didn’t want to wake you.”

She shook her head and sauntered across to him to unbutton his jeans. His breath caught, and his shirt slipped from his finger before he gripped her hips and threw her over his shoulders. She squealed, and when he slapped her ass, heat pooled in her core.

But when he tossed her onto the bed, he stared at the pink skirt.

“Callie was here.” He cursed, stomping his feet as he paced. “I’ll fucking kill her. I wouldn’t put the burst pipe past her.”

“She was here with some guy.”

“Probably Gabe.” Yanking off his boots, Rhys dropped them then peeled off his jeans. His penis bounced free, and her breath caught with her mouth drying. “If you look at me like that…”

“You’ll what? Threaten me without following through?”

“Oh, ho.” He tugged on the edges of her pajama pants and dropped them on the floor. Then with a jerk, buttons flew across the room, gaping her top. His nostrils flared, his gaze darkened, and he crawled onto the bed, spreading her legs wide. He paused in a full push-up. “Lunar, I love you.”

“So when threatening doesn’t work, sweet-talking is your go-to tactic?” But she ruined her serious tone by dragging him down, needing his chilled skin against hers.

He grunted and buried his face in her neck, nuzzling her.

She wrapped her legs around his hips, shifting until his erection rubbed against her labia. Arching on a moan, she tightened her arms and tangled her fingers in his wet air, inhaling his cologne.

“Just love me, Rhys, and don’t stop.”

He growled, rose to meet her gaze, and at last, she recognized the intense emotion lighting his eyes—love for her.

“Always, Lona-love.”