Silas's eyes light up with understanding. "There might be another substance or plant that could take the edge off for her. Something native to the Nether."
Crypt nods.
I stare at Maven's profile. If Maven is from the Nether, it raises a thousand and one questions. How did she survive? How did she escape? Was she all alone? What kind of hell has my beautiful keeper been through?
"No wonder she didn't even know what ice cream was," I mutter.
"Or how to drive," Crypt agrees.
Silas goes very still. "What are you talking about? She drove herself to Pennsylvania."
"That she did."
"Are you telling me that you let her drive all the way thereknowingthat she'd never driven a fucking car before?"
Crypt grins. "She made it in one piece. Our girl is a quick learner."
The blood fae pinches the bridge of his nose. "One day, I'm going to kill you."
"Better make it soon since your sanity's expiration date is quickly approaching."
They continue bickering quietly, but I back away from the bed, still staring at Maven's sleep-softened face. More than anything, I want to be here when she wakes up so I can make sure she's all right. But despite Crypt's doubts about this being caused by my curse…I'm not taking any more chances with her.
No matter where she came from, I'm going to protect my keeper. Including from myself.
Before I leave the room, Baelfire catches my eye. And instead of the glare or disgust I usually see on his face, he nods once in begrudging understanding before I close the doors behind me.
9
MAVEN
"I've got you,Mayflower. Whatever you've been through, you're safe now."
I frown softly into the darkness of my closed eyes as my senses return to me. This feels…off. Normally, when I wake up after one of my episodes, I'm freezing and feel like shit.
But right now, I feel good. No headache. No lingering pain.
What bizarre witchcraft is this?
And I'm warm.Reallywarm. So warm that I can't help sighing because it feels so damn nice. I've never experienced a heated blanket, but Kenzie once told me they were a gift from the gods straight out of Paradise. Now, I'm pretty sure she wasn't exaggerating.
Wait.Mayflower?
I open my eyes and find that Baelfire's handsome, smiling face is only a few inches away, his irises like warm honey.
"There she is. Prettiest eyes I've ever seen."
What the fuck? Why am I in bed with him?
I sit up, taking in my surroundings quickly. I'm in Everbound's infirmary, which is mildly alarming. But I don't see anyone here trying to heal me or running away screamingthat a convict of the Nether has infiltrated Everbound, which is promising.
Baelfire sits up, too. His warm body is so close to mine that I get tingles in my stomach, which I dutifully ignore. Silas is upright on the sickbed beside ours, his ruby irises soft as he studies me.
But why the hell is he looking at me like that? Weren't we just fighting?
I feel like I'm missing something.
His gaze drops, and he bites his lip. "Mmm. I much prefer this view, but I'm obligated to let you know that your very lovely tits are on display."
