Emma nodded. “Yeah. I rechecked his blood, and his cells have strengthened. The only drawback is that the process is going to take some time, maybe a week or two, until he regains all his power. Bursts of training, of adrenalin and high energy will speed up the process. Other than that, he has to take it easy between trainings, and that’s going to be tough. Immortals are used to healing much faster.”
It was a good thing they were heading to the cabin for some relaxation. Grace would make sure he took it easy, which would give her time to put her plan in motion. Proving to him that love existed was one thing; making him see that he was in love with her was another.
Emma tilted her head. “That’s a very determined look on your face. What’s up?”
Was there time to grab a cookie? That snickerdoodle had looked good. “Just a plan I have in mind. An impossible one.”
“Those are the best kind,” Emma said, smiling. “Keep in mind that you’re going through some major changes genetically, too. It’ll take you a few months to regain all of your strength, but then it’ll be amazing. So give yourself some time.”
Faith had already warned her about how tired she’d be. “Thanks, Emma.”
“Also, I looked at the blood sample I took from you the other day, and I still haven’t identified that foreign material in your system.”
Grace felt fine, albeit a little tired. “Is it something to worry about?”
“No, but I’d like to know what it is, and if it has something to do with being a Key. I’ll keep at it.” Emma reached for another cookie in her jacket pocket.
Grace had more important things to worry about than Emma’s research at the moment. “Hey. Do you have an unlimited supply in there?” Grace asked.
Emma grinned and handed it over. “No, but I can get another one from the kitchen.”
Grace accepted the treat before Emma could change her mind. She worried her lip for a moment. “Do you think the Realm will really declare war on the Seven?” It didn’t seem like a fair fight, but what did she know? The Seven had powers nobody realized, she was pretty sure.
“No,” Emma said, sobering. “Too many family members are part of the Seven. But I think the Realm might have to distance itself for a while, just to get things back on track. If we can.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to go. Already said goodbye to Faith and the rest of the gang. Stay safe, Grace.” With that, the queen turned and headed back toward the kitchen, no doubt for another cookie.
Grace munched contentedly on the pastry. Her burner phone buzzed, and she lifted it to her ear. “Hello.”
“Hey, friend. How are things?” Bobbi sounded a little frazzled.
“Good. How about you?” Grace dusted her hand off on her jeans.
Bobbi cleared her throat. “Not great. Brian broke his leg and will have to have surgery, my sister has lost her mind and gone back to her crazy husband, and Rosy has strep throat.”
Grace winced. “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.” She wished she could tell Bobbi about the Realm splitting up and her mate becoming a possible enemy of the strongest immortals on earth, besides him, of course. Keeping this friendship one-sided was difficult. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Well, yes. I hate to ask, but I’m desperate. Is there any way you could come stay with Rose for a day or two while I take care of Brian in the hospital? I feel so torn—I don’t know what to do.”
Grace dropped her head, staring at her boots, considering various possibilities. She wanted to be a good friend, and it meant so much to her that she’d found Bobbi and Brian after all this time. “When are you thinking?”
“Tonight and tomorrow,” Bobbi said, hope filling her voice. “The surgery is later today.”
Grace exhaled, her shoulders heavy. “Oh, Bobbi, I’d do anything to help you, but I can’t right now.” Adare needed her, and he had to come first. They had to get settled into the cabin so he could heal, and he’d just worry if she wasn’t there. His protectiveness was kind of sweet, and she had to make sure he was all right before leaving him for the baptism.
“Why not? I really need your help,” Bobbi said.
“I know, but I have to be somewhere else,” Grace murmured. “Adare has been, well, ill, and he needs me right now.” The stubborn Highlander would deny he needed anybody, but she was going to care for him whether he liked it or not. “The same way Brian needs you.”
Bobbi sighed. “Well, I can’t argue with that. I hope Adare feels better. Keep me in the loop.”
“You, too. I know it’ll all go well. Give me a call after the surgery.” Grace said her goodbyes and then slipped the untraceable phone back into her pocket.
Adare opened the front door and snow swirled in around his boots. “Are you ready to go?”
She slung her pack around her shoulder. “Definitely.”
* * * *
Adare finished setting the security at the cabin while Faith and Ronan settled into Benny’s suite. Benny had taken different transport to meet with his family about the new split between the Realm and the Seven. Many of his family members worked for the Realm, but others didn’t, and Benny wanted to keep the family from splintering. He wasn’t confident of his chances.
