“How is Hallizel?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Healthy as ever. She hasn’t stopped fussing at me for not letting her go into the woods with Jessamine.”
“I imagine she is.” I smiled before adding, “She is well enough for a long flight, is she not?”
He nodded, sobering. “We need to speak with Prince Torvyn.”
Bezaliel knew exactly what I was thinking. “We do. And soon. The naiad sisters I spoke to at the well declared that the monster causing all of this lives deep under Mount Gudrun. If we are now seeing the spread of his evil here, then they have certainly already seen more.”
“King Halvar. The rumors have been spreading for ages that he is mad. If it’s this madness that we know infected one of King Goll’s warriors and those Meer-wolves who attacked their camp months ago, then it is this dark sorcerer whose caused it.”
I nodded. Goll had confided in me that one of his own had been infected, but not with a regular sickness. It was like he was possessed by a dark demon, by black magick. I was sure this sorcerer who created the grimlocks was the cause.
“I never like to listen to gossip. But I would bet there is much truth to this one about the shadow fae king. That means Tor, Vallon, and the rest of them know more about this lord wielding black magick and abducting our kin than they have admitted.”
I couldn’t stifle the growl that rumbled in my belly. The mere fact that the prince and Vallon had more information and they didn’t share it with us provoked the beast within me. They might have known something that we could have used to protect ourselves from Selestos and his fucking golems. I had a word or two to say to the shadow fae prince.
“I will send Hallizel to Gadlizel at once and demand a meeting.”
“Good.”
There was no need to tell them why or where to meet us. We’d seen shadow fae cross over Ghasta Vale every winter, high above us. They knew where we camped. And I had no doubt that all Hallizel had to tell them was that we killed the grimlocks they were hunting. They would swiftly be on our doorstep.
Movement pulled my attention to Jessamine. She turned her head in my direction, blinking her eyes open.
“Why are you growling?” Her voice was craggy from disuse.
Wolf whined as he stood beside the bed and licked her hand. She wiggled her fingers and patted him limply.
Instantly, I moved to sit on the furs next to her, coasting a hand to cup her cheek. “How do you feel?”
“Better.” She smiled. “Why are you angry? Your growling woke me.”
I chuckled. “Now I know how to get your attention when I want it.”
Her sweet mouth tipped up on one side. “You always have my attention, Red.”
I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to hers, gazing into the lovely depths of her eyes, relishing this precious moment, knowing she was alive.
Bezaliel cleared his throat. “My lord, may I speak to Jessamine?”
Having nearly forgotten he was there, I broke away reluctantly and stood, allowing him to come forward. He knelt on one knee at the side of the bed and bowed to her.
“My lady, I owe you my life for saving my daughter. For risking your own.”
“No, Bezaliel.” She smiled faintly, her body still frail. “I only did what my heart commanded me to do.”
My lungs seized, and my love expanded for her even more. Her heart bade her save the children of my clan. That was because her heart belonged to us. She was mine, and I was hers. As was our clan.
I didn’t have to nudge Bezaliel to get rid of him. He sensed my need to be alone with her.
“Get some rest, my lady. My mate would like to thank you as well. When you’re better.” He stood and smiled at me before ducking his head and leaving our tent.
I removed my loose shirt while shoving off my boots, her gaze following my movements with that tilted smile on her beautiful face. Heat flared within me as she trailed her eyes down my body when I shoved off my trousers.
“Don’t even think about it.” I lifted the covers and climbed in, pulling her body gently against mine. “I merely want to feel you. And warm you.”
“I know ways you can warm me.” She wrapped a hand around my waist, settling her head beneath my chin.
