Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(103)

One was Elena; the other he didn’t recognize. “Thanks for putting it together so quickly,” Elena said.

“I owe you my life. This was my honor.”

Nikolai peeked in to find Elena with a female light elf. The elf handed her a vial of purple liquid that looked to be the elixir his uncle was addicted to. No. He wouldn’t allow Elena to even sample that shit.

He consciously unclenched his fists. “Hello, ladies.”

They turned to face him, but didn’t act the least bit startled. In fact, Elena held the vial up to the light as if it were a jewel. “Fee just gave me a gift.”

He shot the elf what he hoped was a warning glare, but based on her lack of reaction, clearly it was ineffective. “How…nice.”

“Prenatal vitamins,” Elena said.

From down the hall in the great room, Vlad cut loose with a burst of laughter.

Vitamins. He looked from the elf to Elena’s smiling faces. What an ass he was. An overbearing, shortsighted, completely head-over-heels-in-love ass. “Thank you…”

“Oh. This is Fee the Alchemist,” Elena said.

“I’ve heard of you often. I’m sorry about your brother.”

“Thank you. I am certain we will be bringing him home soon. My father thinks we are close to locating him.”

“I hope so.”

“I must go,” she said. “Be careful. I’m not sure how quickly the vitamins will take effect, but I am confident they will have the desired result.” She wrapped her slender arms around Elena, and they held one another like sisters. Clearly, lots had happened while he was chained to the wall in Fydor’s “rec room.”

The elf disappeared, leaving no trace except the floral scent common to all light elves.

Elena slid the vial into her pocket and pulled her hair back, tying it up with a leather cord she gathered from the bathroom counter. “I’ll see you later, Nik.”

“Wait!”

She lifted a perfectly formed eyebrow, which made him feel more chastised than any words ever could.

“Look, I…” Fuck. This shouldn’t be so hard. He loved this woman. Needed her. Still, asking someone for help was hard, but going against every instinct he had to protect his mate was almost incapacitating. And he was about to ask her to risk her life—probably a Slayer first. “I’m sorry I was such a prick. You’re right. I need you to go. Not only are you a better planner and strategist, you are the Uniter, which means this is your show. I’m just there to wield a sword and keep you…” He was pleased when she let him approach and run a hand over her belly. “Keep both of you safe. Allow me that.” He brushed his lips against her jaw. “Please.”

A knock sounded on the door, and then it was thrown open by Dalca. “I brought some clothes for Nikolai, along with this, since he arrived without a weapon.”

Nik stared at the all too familiar sword in the vampire’s hand. “That was my father’s.”

“It was. I took it from Ivan’s body before Fydor arrived. I couldn’t bear the thought of that worm even touching it.” He passed it to Nikolai and handed a stack of clothes to Elena.

Nik’s vision blurred as tears stung his eyes. He blinked them away. Slayers never cried. “Thank you. I’d thought it was lost forever.”

“No. Just in safekeeping until you were ready to receive it.” He patted him on the shoulder. “You’re ready now.” He took the pile of clothes from Elena and passed them to Nik.

“And as for you, Elena Arcos. I wish Gregor were alive for more than one reason, but right now, I wish it so that he could see you. You are magnificent and he would be proud of his daughter.”

He opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. “I wish you luck,” he whispered into her hair. “Make wise choices.”





Chapter Thirty-Three


Sword drawn and with “Happy Birthday” running in her head to mask her thoughts, Elena pushed the window open to find Aleksi’s room empty. Nik followed her in silently and closed the window behind them.

“My mother’s apartment is just down the hall,” he said.

Dammit. Where was Aleksandra? None of this would work if she couldn’t get the elixir to her. “I need to talk to your sister.”

“It will have to wait.”

No. It couldn’t wait. Nothing was more important than this. Not even his mother. “Go on. I’ll stay here in case she shows up.” Which she hoped to hell happened soon. Everything hinged on this. “I will only get in the way.” She pointed to her head. “I’m the mastermind. You are the trained swordsman.” Yeah, some mastermind. Happy birthday, dear whomeveeeeeerrrrrr. Happy birthday to yoooooooou.

He ran his hand over her bare back. “When this is over, I’m buying you a dozen of these halters. I love seeing your markings…among other things.” He ran his fingers down her cleavage, and she trembled. Lips replaced fingers, and she had to concentrate to keep singing as his warm breath fanned over the exposed swells of her breasts. Behind the leather, her nipples hardened. Happy birthday, dear…

He moved his lips up her neck and whispered in her ear. “I want you close. Come with me. Leaving you here alone feels wrong.”

It sure did. But she needed to see Aleksi. “I…”