A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(18)

The healer returned, and thoughts of vengeance fled my mind.

“Is she going to survive?” Cold chilled me as I asked.

The healer said nothing as she knelt by Sia’s side and raised a tiny vial of shimmery silver liquid to her lips. “This is a powerful, all-purpose antidote. I’m not sure what she was been poisoned with, so it’s our safest option.”

I held my breath as she dripped the potion between Sia’s lips. Sia swallowed, sputtering slightly, then lay still.

The snakes tightened around my heart.

Her color improved, and the breath whooshed from my lungs. “That’s a good sign, right?”

The healer nodded. “Indeed. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’m hopeful.”

I’m hopeful.

I hadn’t felt hopeful in centuries. I still didn’t. She could feel it for the both of us, and perhaps it would be enough if fate cared about that kind of thing.

“That’s all that can be done,” she said. “I drew some of it from her system with my magic, but she’s going to need to rest to let the antidote work effectively.”

Helplessness dragged at me, and I loathed it. The only thing I could do was sit by her side and make sure she was safe while she healed.

Carefully, I lifted her up. She felt too light in my arms. Insubstantial. I focused on the color returning to her cheeks like a lifeline as I carried her to my quarters. I kept the lights dim as I entered the small space.

As gently as I could, I laid her on the bed and removed her shoes. A soft blanket was folded over the base of the mattress, and I covered her.

Once she looked comfortable, I frowned. It was odd to take care of another. I’d only ever taken care of Wolf, and his requirements were just a bowl of meat and a scratch on the ears.

This was vastly different.

It felt odd, but almost good. Like an ill-fitting coat on a cold day.

When she was tucked into bed, I made sure there were guards outside our car. I’d stay awake and be the last line of defense, but I had to take every precaution where she was concerned.

Once the guards were posted, I took the chair next to the bed. She lay quiet on the mattress next to me, and I couldn’t help but look at her every three seconds, wanting to make sure her chest still rose and fell.

I looked down at my ungloved palm. I couldn’t let go of the memory of her flesh against mine while I’d held her hand.

Fates, what had become of me?

I dragged a hand through my hair, frustration making me restless. Trapped.

I wanted to be anywhere but here. Anywhere I could think of something else besides how afraid I was that she would die.

But I couldn’t go. There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d leave her side when she was like this. I’d rather be tethered to her in pain than free anywhere else.

So I leaned back and tried to calm my breathing, wishing that Wolf were here.





Sia



* * *



Consciousness tugged at me.

No.

I was too tired. There was no way I could get up and face the day.

A rustling sound from my left made me twitch.

Someone was there.

There was never anyone else in my apartment.

A tiny shot of adrenaline gave me enough energy to open my eyes.

I blinked, confused.

Where the hell was I?

The tiny room was dimly lit and moving.

I could feel the rumble, like we were in a big car.

No, a train car.

It all rushed back to me.

I was in the fae realm, riding a magic train to my wedding to a fae king.

I turned to the left and saw Lore. He sat in the chair next to me, his gaze on the door. He must have felt me looking because he turned to meet my gaze. The worried crease between his brows deepened. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.” I croaked like a frog.

“Here.” He picked up a glass of water from the table. “Let me help you.”

“I can do it.” I struggled to sit.

He gave me a few seconds to try on my own before he helped me, his hands gentle on my skin. The memory of the man gripping my arms and trying to force me over the side of the train car made my stomach pitch.

I’d almost died.

I drew in a deep breath. Focus. I needed water, and to get myself together. Then I could ask questions.

Lore helped me drink, and the tenderness with which he treated me made my heart clutch. When I was finished, I settled back against the cushions and looked at him, searching his beautiful face for the reason he was here.

All I saw was worry.

“It’s late,” he said. “There are hours yet before dawn. You should go back to sleep.”

“Why are you helping me?”

He frowned, hesitating. “We didn’t catch the person who tried to kill you.”

“That wasn’t what I asked.”

“It’s what I answered.” He raised his brows. “I assume you’re interested in that as well?”

“I am.” And it was clear he wasn’t going to discuss why he was playing nursemaid, so I let it drop. “We lost him over the side, right?”

He nodded. “Right into a ravine. He’s dead. Body probably lost.”

“Good riddance.” I wanted information about my attacker, but I wanted him dead more. The feeling of hanging over the side of the train would haunt me for the rest of my life. I shivered.