Kole chuckled and lifted himself onto an elbow, then cocked his head. “Is it your aunt who’s married to a Lochen fairy?”
I nearly squealed. “Yes, my aunt Daileeum, my mother’s sister, and I have three part-Lochen cousins, although I’m not sure if they’re considered royal. Koraline and Lillith are contacting them right now.”
He chuckled again, taking in my appearance, and I could only imagine what I looked like. With a stretch, he reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and took a drink.
The movement made it impossible not to be drawn in by the pulse in his neck and steady thud of his heart that echoed through my ears with each swallow. With his blood calling to me, my attention zeroed in on his artery, my focus waylaying.
Disgust instantly reared in me. My mate was slowly turning into a vamfeer, was likely running another fever, and I was lusting after his blood.
Kole set the empty glass back down and shifted closer to me.
I sat frozen, entirely still, as I stared at his throat.Vile, you’re absolutely vile, Primelle.
His eyes narrowed, and it took me all of zero seconds to realize he understood what I was feeling since the bond betrayed me.
“It’s been a while since you fed, my love.” He tilted his neck, just slightly, but it was enough of an invitation that I knew what he was offering. “Are you hungry?”
Venom flooded my mouth, and my fangs began to lengthen.
“Oh, Kole,” I said more in despair than anything. Once again, my cursed new nature began to overtake me. I brought a hand to my mouth, and I tried with everything I had to push my urges down and stop the dark hunger inside me. “No. You’re sick. And I’m sorry. Gods, I’mso sorryto react this way.”
“It’s all right, Princess.” His love undulated toward me along our bond. “I don’t feel that sick yet. I slept well, and the fever-suppressing potions are helping, and like you already know, my infection can’t hurt you. So for the time being, I’m still here. And as long as I am, I’m always here for whatever you need.”
He angled his head more and began to caress my leg.
My focus again fixed on his neck, but he was still sick, and he was still growing weaker.
I shook my head firmly. “No. You need your strength.”
“Primelle, my love, let me do this for you.”
But I leaned down and kissed him tenderly. “No, my love. I won’t take that from you, not until you’re well again. You need all of your strength, but once I save you...” I ran my tongue along his throat, and his breath hitched. “Then I’ll taste you again. But not until then.”
It wasn’thard for Koraline and Lillith to contact our Lochen relatives and fill them in on why I was in need of them, and once their dillemsill replied that they were happy to do whatever was needed, Kole and I mistphased out of the palace with Koraline and Lillith waving goodbye and wishing us good luck.
When we arrived at my relative’s estate in the western portion of Mistvale, a very boisterous Valeena answered the door.
“Oh, I’m so excited you’re here!” My youngest cousin burst forward, squealing and pulling me into a hug. But just as fast, she pulled back, and I wondered if she was going to comment on my temperature, but instead, she said, “Is it weird that I’m excited to see you, even when your mate is—” She side-eyed Kole, a guilty look overtaking her expression.
I laughed, unable to help it. “No, it’s not weird at all. I’m delighted to see you too.”
Valeena grinned and called over her shoulder for her brothers, Vasper and Vordem. “Hurry up!” she yelled. “Koraline and Lillith said time is of the essence, and Father is already at work.” She turned back to me. “Mother isn’t here, so I’m sure she’ll have missed seeing you too, but I’ll give her a kiss for you. And I wish I could help you directly, but I’m afraid I know nothing of the Lochen temples. Father’s our best bet for how you can use one.”
I squeezed her hands. “Thank you.”
Vasper and Vordem careened down the stairwell, pulling on waistcoats and still getting dressed from the looks of it, but everyone looked surprisingly awake for such an early hour. However, the second Vasper began talking, I understood why.
The twins were breathless when they reached us, but they merely nodded at me before staring reverently at Kole.
“We were told that we may be able to save an Imperial Warrior today.” Both of the twins looked at Kole with awe.
Kole had been quiet since arriving, letting me speak and catch up with Valeena, but at my cousin’s revered stares, he dipped his head. “I shall be in your debt if you’re able to help me.”
The twins gazed at Kole’s sword, strapped to his back as always, with wide eyes.
Valeena elbowed them. “Stars and galaxy. Quit gaping! You two are acting like you’ve never seen a sword before.”
“Well, we haven’t,” Vordem replied, his attention never leaving Kole. “Not an Imperial Warrior’s sword at least.”
