So I did what I knew best and… Well, not mothered him. I took care of him as best as I could. I cleaned up and put on clothes before ordering people to bring me what I needed. I wiped the sweat from Creed when he had a pause from the pain. I talked to his lion and soothed him, told him not to fight Creed so they could be happy together.
All the nonsense that maybe did nothing, but I thought it might help. Promises of giving him burgers and those grilled chicken thighs that were barely cooked but he liked the seasoning. Creed’s lion was a bit of a foodie and I thought that it was endearing.
I told him as much. I told him everything. I told him that I had even enjoyed the intercourse more this time. That maybe having a potion or a bit of brownie wasn’t a bad plan because I “got out of my own head” as I’d heard people say.
And even if it was embarrassing, I told him that nothing was better than when he kissed all over my body. That I looked forward to him doing that to me for years to come and my ability to return the favor in the future. I promised to keep working hard in therapy so I could because I valued him that much.
But only if he fought and lived.
Aftertwo days, Monroe finally said the words I had been longing to hear. “It’s almost over. That last layer of magic wastissue-paper-thin. There might be one last burst of the spell fully breaking, but I promise—it’s almost over, Aurora.” He awkwardly patted my shoulder and wished Creed luck before going back downstairs to wait.
I understood it all in theory, but it was more complicated and difficult to digest when seeing it live with someone I cared for. Basically, the spell to bind Creed’s lion was so strong because Creed’s lion was, and it had taken such deep root because of how long it had been left alone that it couldn’t just be broken like a chain on a lock.
Or even a cycle like a washing machine.
No, it had to be peeled back in layers. Painful,painfullayers to get at the seed of the magic that could be crushed by our new bond.
And while I’d taken hope in what Monroe had said, apparently he really hadn’t known much because most wouldn’t have lived through this sort of thing because when that seed of magic was finally crushed… Creed was almost as well. He was so weak and beaten up that when—it was beyond horrible.
He not only vomited until there was also blood, but blood leaked out of his nose and ears.
And mine? No one saw that coming, but somehow our new mating bond let me help carry the burden of that seed of magic being destroyed. I simply wished I was allowed to take more.
But since I hadn’t been sleeping from taking care of Creed, I was too exhausted and passed out.
I woke too warm and surrounded by fluffy… And growling?
“I’m not going to hurt her, but we need to look at her, Creed,” Monroe was saying, his tone exasperated and obviously having repeated himself.
“I’m fine,” I mumbled as I tried to sit up. I froze when there was a soft warning snarl. “No burgers if you are going to bemean to me.” It was hard not to chuckle when the lion instantly became a kitten at that threat.
“How are you really?” Monroe pushed.
I sat up more and took stock of myself. “Thirsty. A bit of a headache and tired, but that all makes sense.”
“Yes, it does, but it helps me know what to add into the tonic for you.” He turned to do that but not before I heard him muttering about the stupid jackass lion.
I found that amusing.
“How are you feeling?” I asked Creed… And the lion rolled his eyes at me. “Yes, of course, you cannot speak. I’m not daft, Creed, but you’re being sassy with me. You cannodor shake your head.”
Except I hadn’t asked a yes or no question.
I rephrased it, but he didn’t do either.
“So not good but not as bad?” I hedged, glad when he nodded. I rubbed behind his ear. “Are you stuck like this? You’re not trapped, right?” Relief filled me when he gave a slight nod. “So this is healing for you?”
“It’s fear he won’t change back,” a deep voice said from the door, startling me.
I yelped when Creed jumped up so fast he knocked me off the bed and I landed hard on the floor.
“I’m a friend and you know it,” the voice snapped. “And you just hurt your mate. Are you fucking nuts? I get you’re getting acclimated, but don’t be a dickhead.”
Creed backed down and came to check on me, licking my face when I promised I was fine. But he was swatting his tail.
“I would gather he doesn’t like a single man in our bedroom even if borrowed, Gerald,” I surmised, glad when that got me another lick. “But I appreciate you checking in. Let’s take this to the living room.”
“Yes, of course, but Monroe was worried about you and Creed can’t catch you in the moment.” Gerald snorted. “Apparently, he’ll just knock you on your ass like a dipshit.” He rolled his eyes when Creed growled. “No, you deserve it, dumbass.” He pointed to me. “She is your first, second, and third priorityalways. Hurt, injured, or fucking dying. You’re a lion. Act like it.”
