“She’s awake,” the healer called out.
“Peri,” Bethany said quickly, the Great Luna’s words ringing in her ears. “I need to see Peri.” Bethany pushed herself up, hoping to find Drake. She could feel that he was close by. She gasped when she felt herself being lifted until her back was against the headboard.
“You’ve just been through a major trauma.” Peri’s voice came from across the room, but she was walking straight toward Bethany. “Perhaps it would be better to be still and not jostle anything loose.”
“Our baby is fine,” Bethany said, understanding that was what the high fae meant.
Peri reached her bed and then sighed. “Let me guess, a certain goddess told you that?”
Bethany frowned. “How’d you know?”
“Because people only know stuff they shouldn’t when they’ve been paid a visit by said goddess.” Peri pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. When she looked up again, Bethany saw the weariness that she’d missed when Peri hadn’t been standing right next to her. Now, up close, she could see the dark circles under the high fae’s eyes and the red left over after tears had filled them. Bethany saw the heavy weight of what was to come and what had already happened sitting heavily on the woman’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” Bethany said quietly. “For Alina and Vasile.”
Peri’s shoulders tightened, and she clenched her jaw. “Thank you. It’s your loss, too.”
“I didn’t know them like you did, though. They took me in, made me a part of their pack, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I know they will be missed.”
“More than any words can express,” Peri agreed, her voice soft as her eyes glistened. “Now, why is it that the moment you woke up from your mate’s injury you called for me and not for him?”
“I have a message for you from the Great Luna.” Bethany’s heart was in her throat as she remembered the things she’d seen on the battlefield, and the words that had been given to her to pass on.
Peri’s back straightened and her chin lifted. “What did she say?”
“She said to tell Perizada that I have seen, heard, and felt the pain of my children. This is only the beginning of what must take place.”
The high fae swallowed hard, but her face didn’t betray any emotion other than determination. “So be it,” she said after several heartbeats of silence.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash followed by a shout.
“BETHANY.”
“It appears that your mate is awake and not dead.” Peri’s lips turned up in a small smile, though it didn’t meet her eyes.
“Guess he wants to see me,” Bethany said sheepishly.
“They tend to get testy when they think their mate might be hurt or in danger.”
“You have to calm down,” a woman’s voice warned.
Bethany pushed the blanket away and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Peri stepped forward and held out a hand. “Thank you.” Bethany took the offered hand and pushed herself off the bed and onto her sock-covered feet. It took her a minute, once she was standing, to get her bearings, but after several deep breaths, she realized she was fine. Her stomach was a little sore, but other than that, she was okay.
Bethany stepped around Peri and moved toward the ruckus. There were beds lined up and separated by curtains, much like in a human hospital. She passed three beds with sleeping figures. Some were wrapped in bandages, and some simply looked like they’d just found a place to rest and had taken the opportunity.
When she reached Drake’s bed, she pulled back the curtain and had to press her lips together to keep from laughing. Drake was attempting to sit up, but three females and one male were practically laying on him to keep him flat on the bed.
“If you move around too much you will undo all that Diedre has done,” said Rachel, who was holding onto a leg.
Bethany hurried around the bed and pushed aside the male whom she didn’t recognize. “Drake,” she said firmly and took her mate’s face in her hands. “I’m fine. You need to be still so you don’t hurt yourself.” She had no idea what injuries he had suffered but assumed because of the pain she’d felt in her abdomen when she’d fallen that he’d sustained a wound to his midsection.
“Bethy,” he whispered, her nickname coming out reverently as he lifted his hands. One touched her hair as the other trailed fingertips across her cheeks, which were growing warm. They had an audience, but she was trying to ignore that fact. “You’re okay?” he asked and then quickly followed with, “The baby?”
“We’re both fine.” She nodded as tears built in her eyes. Seeing the emotion in his eyes, how much he loved her and worried for her, made her realize her life was richer than she would have ever expected.
“Thank the Great Luna.” He sighed as he pulled her head down to his and touched their foreheads together.
“Are you alright?” Bethany asked softly. “What happened?”
