Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(86)

“If she’s ours…god, Z, I want her back.” His arms tightened around me. “She’s the only child I can ever have. I’ll love any kids you and Dev have, I will, but…I need to know that she’s okay. She’s out there, and I don’t know if she’s loved, if she’s being taken care of. Anything could happen to her. I have to find her. When all this crap is done, I have to find her.”

I nodded because it seemed the most expedient way to get him to stop talking. “Could you close the curtains?”

Daniel did as I asked, drawing the heavy curtains closed and shutting out the world. I lay back as he pulled me against him once more, not fighting him but not exactly returning the embrace. I just let him do what he wanted and was grateful when sleep took me once again.





Chapter Twenty





Daniel stayed in bed with me for a couple of days as the two factions in the palace prepared for their separate journeys. Our group organized for the long trip home and the Seelies prepped for war. Every day I heard more and more warriors had arrived. In another week, they would march toward the door that led to the land separating the blessed court from the dark court. It was on that long field that the war would play out. Word had come from King Angus that when the Seelies came for war, he would meet them with swords drawn.

I could tell from his tone and the look on his face that Daniel was worried about me, but I couldn’t seem to muster up the energy to do anything about it. I was trapped in a dark, selfish place and I didn’t want to leave it. When Daniel left my side, it was to consult with Albert or Lee. He was never gone for long but Dev always heard of the absence and managed to make his way to our bed. He didn’t talk about the fight with Daniel. He didn’t mention the plans for war. He asked me to eat and get out of bed. When I did neither, he kissed my forehead and left as quickly as he’d come.

I thought it was Dev when Daniel left the afternoon before we were to return home. Everything had been packed and we were set to leave that night. I wasn’t looking forward to walking all that way but I also didn’t want to ride a horse for so long. I couldn’t ask Danny to fly because he looked as tired as I felt. I’d offered to feed him but he was worried I wasn’t up to it yet and I hadn’t wanted to fight. I thought he was hoping getting me home would fix me. I wasn’t so sure about that.

I was in bed when I heard someone moving in the room. It had to be Dev and I closed my eyes, hoping to avoid a long, drawn-out good-bye. If he didn’t want to come with us, then I wasn’t going to beg him. He was leaving me at the moment I needed him most.

The curtains came open with a swift pull and I opened my eyes, surprised by the move. When he came to see me, Dev crept into bed, unwilling to frighten me or disturb me with too much noise. The person opening the curtains had no such qualms. I was surprised to see Sarah’s husband frowning down on me. I sighed because Felix was the one person who hadn’t given me a lecture on how I would see the freaking good in life again one day. I should have expected it, though. The man used to be an actual guardian angel. Blowing sunshine up people’s asses was part of their job description.

“Hello, Felix,” I said with a sad sigh. I contemplated the easiest way to get rid of him.

“Not exactly,” a voice that sounded like Felix’s, only gruffer, said.

I sat up because that was not Felix looking down at me with judgmental eyes. “Who are you? What did you do with Felix?”

Whatever was in Felix crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head down at me. “I can’t manifest on this plane. It’s embarrassing, but I don’t know how to do it. Felix graciously offered to host me. I shouldn’t be here at all, but you’re leaving me with no choice. I would never have signed up for this gig if I knew it included being your life coach.”

“Oliver?” I asked with the first emotion I’d been able to muster in days. Oliver Day was Felix’s “brother.” He was one of a group of three angels who balanced each other and watched over their charges. I’d been told Oliver, who was kind of an *, was my guardian angel.

“In the flesh,” he agreed. “Well, in Felix’s flesh anyway. What the hell do you think you’re doing, Zoey?”

“Should angels curse?” I’d never once heard Felix do it. I hadn’t heard their sister, Felicity, curse either. Only Oliver seemed to have gotten a potty mouth along with his halo.

“I get special dispensation because no one could deal with your crap and not drop the occasional f-bomb. I’ll ask again. What are you doing, Zoey?”

“What is that supposed to mean? I’m resting, Oliver. I’ve had a hard couple of days,” I shot back bitterly. I didn’t need a guilt trip. Now that I thought about it, I didn’t want to talk to Oliver Day. He was supposed to watch over me. He hadn’t done a good job.

“Yes, Zoey, blame me for everything,” he said, rolling his eyes. He wasn’t one of those cuddly guardian angels who soothed you and made you feel good. “I don’t have to be able to read your mind to know what you’re thinking. You’re blaming me and everyone else for how miserable you are.” He sat down on the side of the bed. “Most of all, you’re blaming yourself. Give it up, sister. It wasn’t your fault and it sure as hell isn’t mine. Shit happens. We deal with it.”