A Tangle of Hearts (A Shade of Vampire #44)(20)

“What next?” I asked.

“I need you to mix them in a bowl. I’ll have to eat them.”

I pulled the cork off one of the vials and sniffed it. It smelled like twenty rotten corpses had been compressed into a tiny bottle, and it took everything I had to stop myself from heaving. I may have unwillingly gagged, because his smirk made me think he knew exactly what I’d done.

I followed his instructions and handed over the bowl with the stinky mixture. Why did the Druids’ herbal magic have to smell so bad?

He took it and meticulously swallowed its content, one gulp at a time. The grimaces he made in between servings made me think that the smell was not the worst part of it. I gave him a glass of water to wash it all down.

Then I leaned against the desk, thinking about other ways to approach him tonight. The sleeping Daughter was out of the discussion for now, but I still needed him to open up some more. Maybe softening him up a little would work. He’d shown me his gentler side before, even if only briefly.

“Sorry if I’m being pushy, Draven,” I spoke quietly, trying to infuse remorse into my tone. “It’s just that with everything going on, with my brother downstairs, I need to think about something else. I need a distraction.” I cautiously watched as his expression changed.

He pursed his lips and breathed out.

“Help me sit in my chair by the fireplace. I need the heat to speed up my metabolism and get the herbs absorbed into my system,” he replied.

I nodded, forgetting momentarily that he couldn’t see me, and helped him. Being so close to him again made my stomach churn as he leaned against me. He was heavy, but supporting him brought me a sense of satisfaction; his broad figure weighing against me made me feel like I was his anchor, that he relied on me, trusted me.

I sat him in his chair by the fire and seated myself on the floor next to him.

I gazed up at his stoic face. He had such a solid composure even when surrounded by chaos, even when everything in the world seemed to be going wrong. I realized that there was something about him that anchored me, too, despite his elusiveness. With my brother wounded downstairs and the prospect of Destroyers out to get us, Draven kept me on my toes and my mind away from dwelling on worst case scenarios that would have otherwise overwhelmed me.

I leaned my head against the wooden arm of his chair, careful not to touch him. I wasn’t sure how aware he was of my proximity in this moment. We sat in silence for a while. I listened to the wood crackling in the fireplace and the sound of our slow breathing. A thousand other questions ran through my head, but they would have to wait. I’d clearly used up all my tokens for today.





Jovi





[Victoria & Bastien’s son]





My legs gave out at some point during the afternoon. I sat down on the floor next to Anjani’s bed, just to rest my eyes for a moment. I must have dozed off, despite the tornado of guilt and concern rattling me on the inside.

I opened my eyes and found myself looking at the ceiling. The once-white paint peeled off in curled crusts here and there. The dim light from the oil lamps gave everything a warm orange glow that melted into dark corners. It was quiet and, judging by how stiff my back and neck were, I must have been lying down for a couple of hours at least.

A flashback of Phoenix getting thrown to the ground by the shape-shifters hit me, making my chest tighten. I took a deep breath. Despite Serena’s reassurances, I still felt directly responsible for his condition.

Then I remembered why I’d done it. Anjani, the dangerously beautiful succubus who had almost become shape-shifter food. A burst of pride made me look up to catch a glimpse of the silvery damsel.

She looked down at me, leaning on her side. Whirpools of gold and emerald lit her eyes, which grew large when they met mine. She quickly looked away and shifted on the bed to lie on her back. I guessed she hadn’t wanted me to see she was looking. A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Maybe she’s not made of stone after all.

I stood up and straightened my back. My bones crackled, and my muscles were uncomfortably sore, the result of the morning’s strenuous activities.

I took a deep breath and felt my ribcage expand and relax. Soft scents of grass and spices flooded my nostrils, and I traced them back to Anjani. I’d caught her scent, and I had a hard time letting go.

But we still didn’t know whether she was friend or foe. I mentally slapped myself and decided to try and engage in meaningful conversation.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

That’s the best you’ve got?

She looked away and said nothing.

“Do you need anything?”

I got the silent treatment and felt strangely offended. I’d just saved her life. The least she could do was give me some common courtesy. I’d earned it.

“You know, I don’t deserve you treating me like this,” I said.

She shot me an angry look, her lips tight and slim eyebrows frowning.

“I don’t deserve being tied to the bed like a criminal either,” she retorted, and it hit me that she felt offended by our suspicion. There wasn’t much I could do to change that, at least not until the Druid and Bijarki confirmed that she was telling the truth.

I'd try lightening the mood instead.

“In all fairness, you can’t tell me this is the first time a man has tied you to a bed,” I quipped and followed up with my signature smirk, hoping to illicit at least a half-smile from her.