#13: Nyra

Nyra

“Lucien,” I said softly.

He turned, already scowling. “I’m fine.”

I caught him before he hit the floor, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “Easy, now. Can’t have you bleeding all over my nice rug.”

“I’ve had worse.”

“Yes, I’m sure the big bad Alpha is invincible.” I told him, rolling my eyes “Lean on me.”

“I don’t need help.”

“You’re currently dripping on my boots,” I said dryly. “Indulge me.”

Draven met us just outside, eyes widening at the blood.

“Alpha–”

“Secure the prisoner,” Lucien ordered. “Double guard. No one speaks to him without my permission.”

“I’ve got him,” I said before anyone could open their mouth. “Clear the area. Make sure there aren’t any more surprises lurking in the walls.”

Lucien shot me a look. “You don’t give orders here.”

I glanced at him, pointedly at the blood still seeping between his fingers where he’d pressed a hand to his side. “Do you want to argue about hierarchy, or do you want to not bleed all over your keep?”

He exhaled through his nose. “Do what she says.”

The guards scattered, some to tend the wounded, others to secure the keep, and a few who couldn’t quite stop staring at me before they forced themselves to look away. I ignored them, slipping my arm around Lucien’s back as I shoved him down onto the edge of the bed, pressing a folded shirt against the worst wound.

“Hold that,” I ordered.

He obeyed, eyes tracking me as I raided his wardrobe for clean linens and the small healer’s kit I’d seen before. My hands moved fast, tearing strips, sanitizing tools with some cheap liquor I’d had Aria steal for me from the kitchens.

He looked up at me, eyes dark, something unreadable passing through them. “You enjoy this.”

“Watching you bleed?” I asked, already reaching for the clean cloths stacked near the hearth. “Immensely. It’s my favourite pastime.”

A breath of laughter escaped him, short and surprised. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, here I am, saving your life yet again. You owe me a castle at this point.”

Another rough laugh escaped him. “Keep stitching and I’ll consider it.”

I knelt in front of him, carefully peeling back the ruined fabric to expose the wound. It was deep, but clean, a slash across his side where a blade had caught him before he’d torn its owner apart. Blood welled sluggishly, already beginning to clot.

“Looks worse than it is,” I said, more to reassure myself than him. “You’ll live.”

“Disappointed?” he asked lightly.

“Don’t push it.”

I pressed the cloth against his side, focusing on the task at hand, on the familiar rhythm of tending wounds. It brought me back to the woods, to mud and rain and blood under my nails as I’d dragged him from the clearing and kept him alive with shaking hands and stubborn refusal to let him die.

“You know,” I said, tying the bandage snugly, “this officially makes me your two time saviour.”

His brow arched. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “I expect that castle in pink. Or at least a thank you that doesn’t involve you threatening to kill me later.”

His mouth curved faintly. “Thank you.”

The words were quiet, sincere, and they did something dangerous to my chest.

I straightened, wiping my hands on the cloth. “Don’t get sentimental. It doesn’t suit you.”

He watched me for a moment, then lifted his head toward the door. “Guard!”

A wolf appeared almost instantly, bowing. “Alpha.”

“Find Darius,” Lucien said. “Tell him I want a full report on how the hell those rogues got into my castle. Now.”

The guard nodded and vanished as quickly as he’d come.

Silence settled between us again, heavier this time, threaded with things neither of us seemed willing to say out loud. I busied myself tidying the mess I’d made, anything to avoid looking at him too closely.

“You could have left,” he said suddenly.

“Again with this?” I jokingly lifted a brow. “Keep talking like this, Lucy, and I might start to think you’re trying to get rid of me.”

He just stared at me silently.

I sighed. “You were unconscious.”

“And yet,” he continued, voice low, “you stayed. You could have easily slipped out the window they so helpfully left open.”

I turned slowly, meeting his gaze. “Maybe I wanted to make sure my favourite pain in the ass was okay before I went.”

He studied my face, searching for something. Before he could respond, the door opened and Darius strode in, his expression grim.

“Someone slipped sleeping herbs into the guards’ food,” he said without preamble. “The ones on duty along the east wing. By the time the attack started, they were out cold at their posts. Never seen anything like it.”

“So this was an inside job,” I stated.

Darius nodded. “Someone opened the way for them.”

Lucien didn’t hesitate. “Bring them to me... dead or alive.”

Darius inclined his head and turned to leave, pausing only long enough to cast me a thoughtful look before the door closed behind him.

The room felt smaller again once we were alone.

Lucien looked at me, something unguarded flickering across his face. “You really would have left.”

I shrugged. “Still might.”

His hand lifted, settling over mine where it rested on the edge of the bed. The contact sent Lyr into a frenzy, pressing against my chest, her attention laser-focused on him in a way that made my breath hitch despite myself.

“You know I’d never let them hurt you. This is just something I have to do,” he said softly.

I swallowed. “That’s just the thing, Lucien... I’m not so sure you’d have a choice.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but a knock sounded at the door.

“Alpha,” a guard called. “The witch Tatia is here. She says she’s ready for the ceremony.”

Lucien’s jaw tightened. “Tell her we’ll be down shortly.”

Once the guard retreated, he looked back at me, his gaze dark and intent.

The room felt suddenly smaller. He stood, wincing only slightly, and pulled on a loose shirt that clung to the fresh bandages. Then he looked at me, something fierce and determined in his gaze.

“I’ll be damned,” he said quietly, “if I don’t know what my mate tastes like before this cursed bond is broken.”

Before my brain could process what that meant, he leaned down and pressed his lips against mine.

And the world tilted on its axis.