Both witches nodded, making Peter visibly relax. I looked back to my fated, my heart breaking at the sight of him, his eyes still open and frightened, like he was frozen.
A loud gasp came from the witch next to Felix, then she flew up, sitting with her hand on her chest, panting for air.
“Therese!” Dina called, her tone both relieved and frightened. “Joel!” Dina yelled after getting to Therese’s side. Joel rushed to her, having been standing to the side and watching the horror show, unable to help until now. “We need water.” Joel nodded without saying a word and rushed to the kitchen. Therese was breathing better now, still holding her hand protectively over her heart, and then she began to cry. Dina’s soothing words of comfort were the only sounds in the room along with Therese’s sobs.
Every witch was awake from the crystal attack, all but my Felix.
“What do your instincts tell you?” Peter asked as he watched me pace the foyer. The rest of the witches had moved into bedrooms, leaving just one mattress for Felix. I wanted to carry him to our bedroom, but Brent told me I was not allowed to move him, that doing so could hurt him more.
“To bond with him,” I admitted. “But that has been what my mind has told me since I first tasted his blood. I cannot do so without his consent.”
Peter shook his head. “He already accepted you, brother. If your instincts are correct, maybe he needs to be bonded before waking up?”
“But that does not make sense!” I argued. But it was then the most beautiful sound reached my ears. Felix groaned, his throat hoarse, like it was dried out from being forced stillfor too long.
I ran to him, kneeling next to his body. He was blinking his too dry eyes, but otherwise he was still very still. The others had woken up with a start, but not my Felix.
Peter joined me on the floor, handing over a bottle of water for Felix. Taking it, I gave him a smile of gratitude, relieved to have his support when I could not think clearly.
“Water,” Felix croaked, his eyes closed, like they needed the rest from being forced open for hours. Gently easing him up in a sitting position, I opened the bottle and slowly poured water in his mouth, Peter helping me hold Felix steady. He drank eagerly, clearly parched, like the other witches had been. I knew what to expect—since I had watched the others as they came to—and I knew he would soon fall asleep again, too exhausted to remain awake after hours of pain. A pain I would pretend had not been there, or else I would not be able to control my anger.
“Get him to bed,” Peter whispered softly, likely for Felix’s sake. “I will wait for the witches to return with the ingredients for Astrea and the male upstairs.”
Nodding, I gathered Felix in my arms and hurried to our room. My heart was hurting over everything that had happened today, but I also felt a sense of gratitude for Dina’s coven and my brother.
Gently placing Felix on our bed, I removed his clothes and left him in his underwear. He would need a bath tomorrow, but for now he needed rest, and I needed to hold him.
After undressing myself, I locked the door and joined him under the covers, snuggling into him. He was sleeping softly in my arms and I allowed myself to truly breathe again.
Chapter 19
Felix
Voices around me forced me awake. I didn’t want to be awake, not yet anyway. My body was aching and I was pretty sure not one spot on my body felt normal. I had never felt pain like I did yesterday, or the day before. I had no clue on how long I’d been asleep for, but I knew I neededmore rest.
“She wants to see him,” Dina whisper-shouted. “It’s been two days! He needs food! And likely a bathroom break.”
Oh fuck.
I flew up, falling down on the right side of the bed, my body wasn’t ready to move and the gasps Dina and Severin let out told me they hadn’t expected me to move so suddenly either.
“Felix!” Severin said, rushing to my side. I batted him away. I needed to pee like nobody’s business.
On shaky legs, I ran or rather, stumbled, into the bathroom and ran to the toilet. I moaned with relief as I peed, tears welling up in my eyes from pure satisfaction of finally emptying my bladder. Finished with peeing, I felt my stomach ache from the fullness my bladder had to endure. It wasn’t pleasant and I doubted it would go away anytime soon.
Dina and Severin waited patiently for me in our bedroom. I doubted Severin wanted to wait, his glare at Dina told me as much, but I appreciated the privacy.
They were eying me expectantly, so I waved awkwardly, “Um, good morning?”
Severin snorted, then smiled. “It is lunchtime, my heart. Dina came to tell us Astrea has woken up and is asking for you.”
Astrea.
“Really?! Is she okay? How long has she been awake?” I asked while searching for something to wear. I was only in my underwear, something I tried to forget Dina had seen.
Dina replied with a patient smile aimed my way, “She woke up two hours ago. It took a while for her to be fully aware. She feels okay, a bit angry at the coven who cursed her. But she needs you right now. I think she’s feeling scared after what happened.”
“Of course,” Severin replied. “She has just been informed of having lost five years of her life. That cannot be easy to bear.” I swallowed hard. No, that couldn’t be easy. Would she blame me for the years she’d lost? Or would she understand?
