Stone touched it. “This is pretty. Already getting gifts from the lads, eh?”
Her ice-blue eyes looked scrunched as she curled her nose. It almost seemed as if she understood him and let her disgust be known.
Stone laughed. “Good for you. Don’t put up with any of that nonsense.”
Celina made another sound.
It sank in how quiet the room had become. He glanced up. Lysander and Frost were sitting and watching him. They each wore different unreadable expressions.
“Did I miss something?”
Frost smiled. “Not at all. I came to check on my patient. How are you feeling today? Have you had any lingering effects?”
Stone shrugged and went back to looking at Celina. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Nothing you can’t handle isn’t a no.”
At Frost’s comment, Lysander jumped in. “He’s still not fully back to himself. I can feel the sadness always trying to overwhelm him, but he keeps it hidden.”
Since they didn’t seem to need him for their conversation, Stone gave his full focus to Celina. “They worry because everyone is scared of me now, but not you, huh.”
She smiled.
Joy burst through Stone.
Frost was on his feet. “She’s smiling. That’s her first smile. Gemini will die when he finds out he missed it. Lucifer…” Frost froze and stared into the distance, as if his mind refused to think of something horrible enough to describe Lucifer missing his grandbaby’s first smile.
“Just don’t tell them.” Lysander sounded pragmatic, as if he didn’t understand the big deal. It was a big deal, though, because that first smile had been for him. Stone kind of wanted to cry. He was going through a lot no one could see—not even Lysander. Someone had taken over his life. Worn his face. Used his body and mouth to interact with all his friends. Now no one looked at him the same, and he had done things to make other people hate him. He didn’t know what he had done or said or how to fix it, and he was enraged because he couldn’t remember any of it. But Celina was all things beautiful and innocent, and she had smiled for him.
Frost practically danced in place. It was more than obvious he wanted to snatch Celina from his arms and get a smile of his own.
Stone didn’t want the peace to end, but all things eventually did. He moved his face closer, hoping Celina could see him clearly. “Thank you.” He whispered the words. Stone knew everyone would hear, but he wanted Celina to know he spoke only to her.
Celina's little fist shot out. She hit Stone’s lips. He didn’t take it personally. Stone knew she couldn’t control her movements yet. But Stone still stole his chance. He kissed her hand. A jolt shot through him. He felt himself falling as the world around him spun. Memory after memory flowed through him, nearly breaking his mind with the overload. He heard people speaking, but he no longer knew if it was the voices in his head or the people currently with him. His body convulsed, causing him to bite his tongue. Then everything was gone.
Lysander paced. He didn’t know what else to do. His brain kept reliving the moment Stone had fallen into a full-blown seizure. He was a vampire—impervious to illnesses. Yet here they were back at Frost’s clinic turned mini hospital, and Stone wouldn’t wake.
“You look tired. I thought finding a mate brightened our kind.”
Lysander spun.
Stellar sat nearby.
Lysander hadn’t even heard him arrive. “Where are your guards, Stellar? You can’t be running around the mortal realm without protection.” He hadn’t meant to sound so angry, but he wasangry. Life just kept pissing him off, but that wasn’t on Stellar. “Sorry. I’m just stressed.”
A kind smile lit Stellar’s face. “I know. Nonetheless, for your peace of mind, my guards are protecting every possible entry point. There’s no need for them to hover.” Stellar’s expression shifted, showing his concern. “I couldn’t let you be alone in your time of need.”
Lysander scrubbed his eyes and then looked at the ceiling. He didn’t know what to say because he didn’t know how he felt. Still, he just spoke with no clue what would pass his lips.
“It’s not fair. On stars, I know that sounds childish, but it isn’t. Stone is such a good person.” Lysander paced as he ranted. “He’s so funny and kind. Before this, I was so blinded by his inner light, I didn’t even notice him as my mate.” He stopped walking a hole into the floor and focused on Stellar. “Oh, and you should see him with Celina. I don’t know what it is, but that little girl loves him so much, and Stone looks at her like the world disappears when she’s around.”
“I don’t know this Celina.”
“She’s Frost’s baby.” He went back to pacing. “This bullshit has cost him all his friends and stolen the light from his eyes. And I can’t give him children.” Lysander said the last bit with every ounce of bitterness in his heart. To have a mate was to love a mate, and Stone had been given a useless partner in life. Having that final truth hit had Lysander freezing and staring into the abyss. He felt helpless.
“What does Frost say about his condition?”
The question tore Lysander from his inner downward spiral. “Nothing. Well, he says Stone is fine. He’s just healing and needs the rest. He’ll wake when he has the energy to do so.”
