“Maybe it wasn’t a random attack.” But was Nolan smart enough to coordinate something like that? Not at all. Leaning forward, I asked, “What about the messenger?”
“Gone,” Nell said. “The guy wasn’t any of the messengers from around campus or the castle, and Rage made them all do a lineup in case Kaja could identify him.”
Dread slithered down my throat, through my chest, and settled at the bottom of my stomach—the cold weight making me nauseated. I sank into my pillows and closed my eyes, waiting for my stomach to settle.
“Anyway, Prince Courage brought you here, but the healer mage couldn’t wake you up. Justice was so upset he wentrogue—totally disobeyed the king—and went to Dark Row.” Nell swallowed hard.
I sat up so fast my head spun, “Wait, what?”
Kaja nodded, picking up the story. “He forced a witch there to make a healing potion to awaken you. He just left.” She pointed to the door. “Otherwise, you might still be asleep.”
I sat up straighter, my fear overcome by shock. Okay, that settled it. Justice was my mate…
“He went to Dark Row?” I cleared my throat and pressed on. “As in the deadly black market?” Even watching Kaja’s head bob up and down, it didn’t register. “As in the ‘don’t ever go there’ market where people are murdered over magical things?”
I ended my question with a flourish meant to encompass all the artifacts and potions one could get—usually for a very steep price. It was legendary, and not the good kind. Definitely not a place for a prince. My father told me all about it.
They both nodded. “Rumor is, he had to give his blood to pay the price to save you.”
Holy shit. Justice was my mate. That was proof. Right there. No one else would do such a thing.
“Oh, girl, you should’ve seen Prince Courage,” Nell said as if to prove my conclusion wrong.
Kaja nodded. “Rage never left your side from the time he picked you up until Justice returned. We could hear him all the way from the hallway,screamingdeath threats at the healers.”
“From the hallway?” I repeated, trying to process.
Nell patted my leg as she said, “They wouldn’t let us in until you were stable.”
Kaja snickered. “More likely they didn’t want us in while Rage was thrashing that one guy.”
I frowned.Maybe Rage is my mate.Oh mage, I was so confused.
I rubbed my temples, wishing I could go to sleep for another day or ten…
“Nai…” Kaja placed a hand on my shoulder. “You do have a hunch who did this, right?”
I sighed. “Maybe…” But would he go to that much effort? “Nolan was my first guess, but I’m not sure.”
Kaja nodded as if this made perfect sense. “He definitely wants to be alpha of your clan, and he hasn’t exactly been welcoming.”
Nell scrunched her face in obvious disagreement. “But that’s soobvious. Not to mention unethical.”
Pretty sure ethics weren’t at the top of Nolan’s priority list.
“This would take some thought,” Nell continued, oblivious to my judgy thoughts. “Who else hates you?”
I was barely out of ICU, and they wanted me to weigh-in on my nemesis’ identity and evil plan?
“No idea. I’m so nice and lovable,” I joked.
Kaja agreed, but Nell snorted. “I was thinking Mallory could have done it. You know, she and Rage dated last year for a hot minute, and she’s been glaring daggers at you since you arrived.”
“Mallory?” I asked.
“Evil Barbie,” Kaja translated.
Oh yeah, blood loss had done a number on my brain.
