“Poppy would never. Butthat, right there,” he said, jabbing a finger at her, “that is not the Poppy you know.”
Every part of my being rebelled against what he said, but there was a stark truth in it, which settled inside me like an unwanted visitor.
The air in the chamber thinned as Poppy turned her head toward the draken.
Reaver tensed, his eyes narrowing on her. “Don’t even think it.”
The chamber trembled, and the stone beneath our feet shuddered. The silver streaks swirling in the mist brightened.
His eyes widened a fraction as he muttered, “Damn it.”
Poppy didn’t lift a hand. There was no display of eather. All she did was flick the wrist of her right hand, which was all it took.
The draken flew backward and slammed into the opposite wall. The stone cracked on impact, and he landed on his knees with a groan.
I smirked. “Looks like you’re the one who can’t do shit.”
“I’m really regretting removing those chains from you,” he snarled, pushing to his feet.
“Chains,” Poppy whimpered.
My head swiveled back to her. The mist recoiled as her chest rose with a sharp breath. The sudden…sorrow I picked up from her was tangy and hard to swallow as the Primal essence swirling around her collapsed and then completely evaporated.
Our eyes met. The crimson had disappeared into the shadowy bands, and…gods. I saw what looked like recognition in her stare.
Every muscle in my body went rigid. “Poppy?”
She wiped the back of her hand over her chin. Her gaze lowered to the blood streaking her fingers. She stiffened and then flinched, letting out a short, piercing cry as she staggered to the side. Her knees buckled.
I shot forward. This time, I was faster than Reaver and reached her before he could stop me. With his sharp curse echoing in the chamber, I caught her around the waist and lowered both of us. Drawing her close to my chest, I carefully tilted her head back. “Do you…?” I cleared my throat. “Do you remember who you are?”
“Cas,” she whispered.
A shudder of relief swept through me, and I swore to the gods that if I weren’t already sitting, I would’ve ended up on the floor. A knot lodged in my throat, and my vision blurred a little. I couldn’t find my fucking voice. Likely because there weren’t words to express the relief I felt.
Trembling, she stared up at me, her breathing ragged. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
My chest squeezed. “You have nothing to apologize for, my Queen.”
“I hurt you,” she cried, her eyes glistening with tears as she stared at my neck. “Oh, gods, I hurt you.”
“I’m completely fine. I swear to you,” I assured her, feeling Reaver drawing closer. Not taking my attention off her, I smoothed my thumb over her cheek to wipe away a tear that had worked itself free. I smiled for Poppy, saying, “If you have an ounce of self-preservation, Reaver, you will stay back.”
He halted.
“Reaver—” Gripping my arm, she sucked in a sharp breath and sat up, looking over my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about him,” I told her. “He’s also fine.”
Reaver huffed.
Cupping her cheek, I guided her eyes back to mine. My heart—our hearts—pounded. “It’s going to be okay.”
Her cool fingers slid up my arm. “I lo—” With a piercing scream, her head kicked back.
Panic seized me as her body went rigid. I shouted her name as she strained in my arms.
Dismissing my earlier warning, Reaver was at our side in a heartbeat. I couldn’t hold Poppy still in my arms. I had to lay her on the floor, keeping one arm under her head as my gaze swept over her body, looking for any signs of injury. I tugged down the hem of the gown that had ridden up and did another sweep. I didn’t see anything but the smear of dried blood on her neck. As much as I wanted to blame Reaver, I knew he hadn’t caused this. “She’s been feeling pain like this on and off since she woke.”
