Late afternoon sunlight submerged New York in a warm glow as Aerén flashed up the stairwell to Reynner and Eve’s apartment. He hammered on their door, then thrust his fingers through his tangled hair.
Reynner opened the door, a growl escaping him. “Really—Aerén?” His irritation morphed to concern at Aerén’s bloodied appearance. “What happened?”
“Call Aethan, now!” he rasped, striding inside.
Without a word, Reynner removed his cell from his jeans pocket and made the call as Eve hurried in from the bedroom. “Aerén?”
He just shook his head and paced the small lounge. All he saw was his broken, battered mate with the arrow sticking out of her chest. And his eyes burned.
Fuck!He slammed both palms on the windowsill.You hold on for me, Leya, please hold on—
“What happened?” Reynner asked softly.
Aerén turned from the window. “She…” He swallowed hard. “Leya’s dying. A fucking rebel struck her in the chest with a cursed arrow. She…she won’t live through the night…”
“Oh, no!” Eve whispered.
He pressed his fingers to his wet eyes. “I can’t let that happen. I cannot—”
The doorbell rang.
Reynner answered, and Aethan walked in. “What is it?”
His frown faded when he saw Aerén, then he was striding across to him. “What the hell happened?”
The words tumbled out. “Allatus said I must get you. My mate, a rebel shot her through the chest with a spelled arrow. Allatus says she won’t make it through the night.”
“Hell.” Aethan exhaled a massive breath. “Ren, I will do anything for you, but I cannot return to Empyrea. You know this. It is against the law for me to go back after my banishment. Bring her to me.”
“I cannot. Dematerializing will kill her. You have to save her. I c-cannot live without her. Please,frater.”
Aethan shut his eyes and lowered his head briefly before looking up. “Where is she?”
“My place. Cidéra.”
“Right. Give me a second.” Aethan fished his cell out and made a call. “Michael, I have to leave Earth for a little while…” He briefly explained what had happened. “Yeah, I’ll be back within the hour. I’ll use the portal from Dregarus to return. Sebris gave me leave for that.”
He faced Aerén. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER36
They steppedthrough the portal onto the empty shores of Cidéra, into blustery winds. Sand stung them, and the clouds above churned, reflecting Aerén’s agitation.
“I think it’s best for me to avoid everyone here,” Aethan said, glancing around. “If nothing’s changed at the castle since my time here, let’s go directly to the family quarters.”
They dematerialized and reformed on the fourth-floor balcony. Aerén led the way to his room, where he sensed Leya.
Only Allatus and Zior remained with her.
Wide-eyed, Zior stared at Aethan. Then, “Sire.” He gave a low bow and stepped back.
Allatus nodded as Aethan crossed to the vast bed where Leya lay on her side, still in her blood-soaked clothes, the mage’s protective, misty miasma cloaking her.
His heart shredding, Aerén rounded to the side opposite the two males, grasped his heart’s cold hand, and prayed that whatever Allatus thought Aethan could do, would work.
Allatus lifted his arms, and in a crackle, the mist dropped.
“Allatus,” Aethan said. “Remove the arrow. I need to feel the wound.”
