My grove,she thought, breath hitching.I have a grove.
Chapter Forty-Six
A fierce kisswas pressed to the side of her head. “My Shiya,” Taevas breathed. “What’s happened to you?”
A bubble of laughter escaped her. Pulling back enough to get a good look at his face, she cupped his cheeks and breathed, “Nothing. Nothing happened to me. I’m fine. I’m so, so fine.”
Taevas didn’t share her elation. If anything, he looked even more alarmed than before. Gently peeling her right hand from his cheek, he took a long look at the scabbed wound and streaks of flaking blood on her arm. His gaze stayed there for a heartbeat before he took in the rest of her.
Without taking his eyes off her face, he snapped, “Call a healer.Now.”
Someone jumped into action immediately, sending a ripple of activity around the room, but Alashiya didn’t bother looking to see what was going on. She didn’t care about anyone else. She didn’t even think about them. Reunited with her husband, her fear had withered into nothing.
“I’m really fine,” she assured him, unable to stop smiling.
Taevas tenderly brushed matted curls away from her cheeks and forehead with the backs of his claws. “You’re absolutely not,but you will be. When was the last time you had something to eat?”
Alashiya had to think hard. “When we had breakfast at the house, I think? I don’t know how long ago that was.”
A burst of hushed conversation happened behind her. Taevas glanced over her head and explained, “She’s a nymph. They eat more than we do. Tell them to bring a vegetarian meal — and for fuck’s sake, someone get her clean clothes.”
Cringing a little, she dared to take a peek at the dragons as they all began talking over one another. One of them, a gorgeous purple woman with short dark hair and skin that glittered with flecks of gold, put up her hands. “All right, all right! I’ll get the clothes,” she announced.
Backing out of the room, she muttered, “Don’t know why I’m the one being forced to miss the show.Ididn’t throw her in jail. Blame the big green idiot for that one.”
An older woman with similar features followed her out. “I’ll get her meal sorted and make sure Alex doesn’t come back with something ridiculous.” She shot a small, nervous smile Alashiya’s way. “Don’t worry about anything, okay? We’ll take care of everything.”
It was lucky that the older dragon didn’t seem to expect a response. Alashiya had no idea what to say to her or any of them.
Taevas distracted her from the awkwardness by firmly rearranging their positions. He collapsed one side of the bed’s railing with an impatient push, allowing him to pull her onto the bed.
“Ah! No, Taevas, I’m dirty,” she protested, cringing at the thought of soiling the perfect whiteness of the hospital sheets. “I can stand until?—”
Taevas clicked his tongue at her but otherwise didn’t bother arguing. He simply grabbed her by the waist and put her exactly where he wanted her, which happened to be tucked under his arm and firmly nestled into his side.
A knock on the door stalled more protests, and before Alashiya could process what was happening, a healer in an elegantgray coat with an open hand emblazoned on the chest was checking her over.
Taevas watched with a deep frown. “Have you healed a nymph before?”
“No,” the healer answered, calm in the face of the Isand’s hawkish scrutiny. “But I’m familiar with their unique anatomy and the theory, sir.”
“I want a specialist,” Taevas insisted. “Tell my team to find one. I want a dedicated healer for her who understands her needs.”
Embarrassed, Alashiya muttered, “I really don’t need that. I’m sure he can do it just fine.”
“Of course he can. And that works for now, but you deserve the best in the long term,metsalill.Not just fine.”
The healer met her apologetic gaze with a smile and a small shake of his head.
It’d been a long time since she’d seen one, but Alashiya was immediately put at ease when he gently took her hand and began his inspection. His magic was warm and a little ticklish but not uncomfortable as he confirmed what she already knew — that she was over-tired and in need of some food but otherwise perfectly healthy.
“You need fluids, a good meal, and a lot of sleep,” he explained, gently lifting her bloody hand between them. “I’ll fix this cut right up and you’ll be good to go.”
Alashiya stiffened. She didn’t dare look anywhere but at her lap, afraid that if she met the gazes of anyone in the room, they’d see the guilt in her eyes. There was nothing wrong with healing her marriage cut, but having everyone’s attention on it reminded her of what she’d done.
Desperately hoping no one would ask how she’d gotten the cut before she got the chance to talk to Taevas privately, she ducked her head and waited for the healer to finish his work.
After what felt like a very long time, he made a soft sound. Taking several small, cool wipes, he began to clean the blood. “I’msorry, I can’t seem to get the scar to heal. The Isand may be right about you needing a specialist.”
