I lifted a hand, seeing it shake when I moved to press it against my chest. My heart drummed a frantic beat. A clear sign I’d pushed the limits, but it was worth it.
“What was that?” I asked in hushed tones. Some Ethereum magic I didn’t know about, perhaps?
Stryker glanced down at me and I was taken aback by what I read on his face. He looked spooked, almost like he’d seen a ghost. It dampened some of the magic from the moment we just shared, but before I could question him about it his gaze dropped to my wrists, which were still bleeding.
He growled and the spooked look melted into a mix of concern and anger. “You need a healer.”
I did. It was freely bleeding and burned with the intensity of a blazing fire, but I also felt like I needed something else. Something only he could give me.
He slipped his hand under my knees and another behind my back and lifted me, cradling me to his chest.
“Stryker, I can walk,” I protested, but he ignored me.
When we reached the outside, I noticed we were in a seedy part of the town with dilapidated buildings. Nearly Stryker’s entire entourage waited outside. Caleb was in chains fastened to the carriage.
“My Lord,” one of his guards said, bowing. “We await your instructions.”
Stryker lifted me onto his horse and looked at his guard. “Torture him until he tells you where the rubies are. When you get them, return home.”
The guard appeared concerned. “And where will you be?”
“She needs a healer. I’m taking her to my brother’s estate nearby. My messenger returned this morning to let me know Adrien was there. I’m sure his healer is with him.”
“My Lord. Let us accompany you—”
Stryker’s glare was enough to shut the guard up. I wanted to protest about torturing Caleb for information, that I could use my power to question him, but I was in a lot of pain. More than I’d originally realized now that the rush of adrenaline had faded. When I looked down, I could even see exposed bone in a few spots. As a royal fae I had rapid healing but something this deep would take a long time to recover from.
“There are some clean linen strips in the saddle bags. I’m going to wrap your wrists,” he said.
I nodded, and he reached very carefully into the bag to grasp the rolled-up linen. With tender care, he cautiously bandaged my wrists. I hissed each time the cloth touched the wound and he kept muttering an apology.
The moment my wrists were covered, Stryker kicked his horse and then we took off. I whimpered when the movement jarred my wrists.
“Are you all right?” He peered down at me, concerned. I was riding in front and he was draped around me like a blanket.
I nodded. “As a royal I heal quickly, you know? It will take a few days but—”
“No. You shouldn’t be in pain for any longer than you have to.” He was adamant and I knew he probably felt guilty for chaining me to that bed. But the scorching kiss we’d just shared might have made up for it.
When I had finally settled on the horse, I leaned back into Stryker as his arms came around me. “You can rest if you want. It will take most of the day to reach my brother’s healer.”
I closed my eyes, leaning against him and let the exhaustion take me.
* * *
As Stryker said, it took the entire day to reach his brother’s country estate. I slept through most of it: my wrists had begun the accelerated healing stage and stopped bleeding, but they still bore deep gashes. Every small movement was painful so I tried to remain still.
His brother’s estate appeared to be perched on the edge of the sea, but it was getting dark by the time we reached the front gates so I wasn’t able to see much.
“Who are—” The guard began and Stryker flicked his wrist causing the shadows to form into the wolf beast from before.
The guards fell silent and bowed their heads. “Lord Stryker.”
“I need my brother’s healer immediately!” he barked.
The gates flew open and a messenger rode ahead of us.
“When is the last time you saw your brother?” I asked.
