19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Sadavir

I sipped my tea as I watched Josh meticulously fold his laundry. The tea was good—better than any I'd been able to obtain while trapped in the vampire nest. But it couldn't match the quality of the tea we'd had back home, among the people I'd been meant to one day lead.

The clan had grown our own tea and herbs, and the couple in charge of the royal gardens were talented teamakers who transformed the experience of a simple drink into an art form. I inhaled the bergamot scent of the drink in my hand and shook off the homesickness. Even now, so many years later and so many experiences apart, I was still occasionally struck by a memory—a scent or a sound, some sensation—that made my chest ache with longing to return to the place where I was raised.

But the yearning was brief. It always passed. I was no longer the overconfident, sometimes arrogant, sometimes na?ve naga prince who had left that place. I had changed. My new home was here, and I did not regret it. Not when I still had the only piece of my past that truly mattered—the handsome, infuriatingly calm man currently putting his socks in their drawer. My best friend. My attendant. My lover. The only reason I had managed to hold onto my sanity while I was the vampire queen's favorite chew toy and bed warmer.

Setting my tea aside, I cleared my throat and formed the only word I never minded vocalizing. "Josh."

He looked up, the distant, distracted look in his hazel eyes clearing as he focused on me with a slight softening of his previous frown. His hands danced gracefully as he spoke. "Yes? I'm sorry, I was lost in thought. Did you need something?"

I sighed and signed back, not at all happy. I didn't have to have some magical bond to him to know that the man who was my reason for living was not himself. "What's wrong? Is your head still hurting you?"

He shook his head immediately, and I could tell he was going to automatically dismiss his problems, the way he always did. He was always so concerned with making sure everyone else around him was well cared for and happy. But he often forgot to extend that same care to himself. Seeing my narrowed eyes, he stopped whatever nonsense he had been about to spout, and his shoulders sagged on an exhale. Tossing the last pair of socks into the drawer, he pushed it shut and came over to sit on the edge of his bed, perpendicular to the chair I currently occupied.

"It's nothing serious," he signed, pushing his blond hair back from his eyes. "I'm just tired. I've been having dreams… nightmares, really." He shrugged and his eyes met mine, understanding passing between us. I had nightmares too, occasionally. You could hardly spend years as a vampire's possession or servant without seeing things that would haunt you.

Leaning forward, I put my hand on his knee. Then I lifted my hands to sign. "You haven't been sleeping?" That would certainly explain the headaches and the faint spell he'd had before. "I know Ruya helped with the headache. But… maybe you could ask the pixie for something to help you sleep?"

Yukio might act coldly toward Josh and I, but he was quite skilled at mixing magic and food. Maybe he could make a tea or other remedy that would help Josh escape his nightmares.

Josh scoffed. "Yukio hates me."

A soft tap at the door interrupted our conversation. Ruya pushed the half-closed portal open as she stepped inside. "Sorry to interrupt, but the door was open," she said as she stood just inside the doorway.

"You're always welcome," Josh said immediately, standing and crossing the room to take her hand and lead her around the laundry basket that he'd left in the path to the door. "Would you like some tea?"

She came to perch on the side of Josh's bed while he fussed over her, filling his own unused cup and handing it to her.

"Thank you. I heard you mention Yukio as I came in," she said, taking a sip of her tea. "Is something wrong? Did he do something to upset you?"

Josh sat beside her on the bed and patted her knee. "No, nothing like that. Sadavir said I should ask the pixie for a favor, and I simply pointed out that he doesn't care for me. For either of us, really."

She huffed a laugh, handing her tea to Josh so she could sign as she spoke. "He likes you both just fine. He just likes everyone to think he's an ass. It's the only way he knows how to express himself."

I chuckled at that. Ruya read people so easily. I didn't doubt that she had the measure of everyone in this court—including Josh and me, even if we didn't really belong.

"Tell her," I demanded in sign.

Josh sighed. "Fine. His Majesty Prince Sadavir the Intrusive insists that I tell you I've been having trouble sleeping. He suggested I might ask Yukio if he had any ideas for a tea or a sleep aid that might help."

She smiled immediately. "I know for a fact that he has a fantastic tea he can make that will put you out like a light. I've used it myself, when I first came here." She nudged Josh's shoulder with her own and I took in the lovely sight of them together. My heart warmed by their easy camaraderie. "You don't ever have to hesitate to ask for what you need, you know," Ruya continued. "Not around here. Even if you were right—which you're not—even if Yukio completely loathed you, he'd still help you. The court has taken you two in and given you sanctuary. That means you are theirs to protect. They take that sort of thing seriously. It's kind of the only rule they live by. And besides, Robin would be royally offended if she were to fail at her holy alpha duties to protect everyone around her. And Yukio wouldn't risk her wrath."

Josh grinned along with her, speaking and signing for both of us. "Well, when you put it that way, I can see your point. No one would dare offend the alpha need to be seen as the big, bad protector." He gave me a smug look that made me roll my eyes.

So, I could be a little overbearing sometimes. It was just who I was. He didn't know what it was like to share your body and soul with a creature of instinct that could short-circuit all logical thinking with pure, primal power.

I showed a bit of fang as I smiled at Josh, my eyes sliding to Ruya in a meaningful way. If he wanted to tease me about my alpha failings, I could show him just what I kept in check every hour of every day.

He silently shook his head at me, giving me a warning look. Which of course made my alpha pride just that much more intent on mischief.

I slid out of my chair and stalked toward them, Ruya none the wiser, and Josh watching me with that look that said he wanted to protest, but also knew he'd never win. "Vir," his lips moved, and I couldn't hear him, but I understood that there was probably warning in the sound.

I grinned wider and bent, pushing him backward with my body, pinning him to the bed with a hand on either side of him. His palms came to rest against my chest, but he didn't push me away. I leaned in and captured his mouth, kissing him until he bit my lower lip, forcing me to let him breathe. I pulled back to take in the flushed cheeks and heaving chest that told me I'd accomplished what I set out to do. Josh was currently too distracted to scold me.

I stood and turned to Ruya who had her head cocked to the side, clearly listening, trying to discern what was happening. I cupped her cheek in my hand, tilting her face toward me. She went so willingly, moving toward me blindly, driven by instinct. I loved it when she got riled up and bossed the whole court around—including three alphas. But her submission was beautiful as well. The way she accepted that we belonged together. That her instincts might be different from mine, but were just as strong. She called to me like a siren, and I moved, all conscious thought dispelled from my brain with just that one little motion.

Her soft lips parted under mine and I pushed her backward, as I had with Josh, pinning her to the bed and taking what I wanted. What I craved every second of the day. Mine. She was mine. Our souls were made for each other. It didn't matter that she had others. A whole court of admirers. Another alpha that was also destined to be her true mate. Ruya was a queen. She deserved my worship, my utter devotion. If she wanted me, I was hers, no matter the fallout where the rest of the world was concerned.

She looped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer, one leg wrapping around my hip, demanding friction that I was more than happy to provide as I pressed myself to her and rocked my hips. Josh sat up beside us, running a hand through his hair. His cheeks were still flushed, and his hazel eyes shone with emotion. Reaching out a hand, he dragged his fingers through my hair, then touched Ruya's cheek.

"So beautiful," he mouthed. It was probably a whisper. I doubted he even knew he was speaking. Josh didn't feel sexual desire the way we did, but that didn't mean he didn't feel. He appreciated beauty. He was a heartfelt voyeur. And I knew Ruya was as happy to oblige as I was.

I stopped kissing Ruya long enough to get a better look at Josh, to gauge what sort of thing he might be up for today. But some of my ardor cooled when I realized he was too pale. He was feeling poorly. More than just a bit tired. And here I was, letting my alpha desires run the show.

I kissed Ruya's forehead gently and slowly stood. She felt the shift in the mood and released me, sitting up to direct a blind glance between me and Josh. "What is it?" she signed. "What's wrong?"

I took her hand and placed it on Josh's, where he had it braced on the bed. She immediately turned toward the human. "Oh, no. You're feeling faint again. I'm sorry Josh. I should have thought to ask you if you were well, especially after this morning!"

I could sense the warm healing energy she poured into our human, bolstering him and healing him. This was part of what made this woman so perfect. Made my animal nature want to claim her and tie her to us for life. She didn't question Josh's importance in my life. There was no jealousy or demands for me to put her first, as there had been with my one other foolish omega lover. Ruya cared for Josh and immediately leapt to his aid. Just as he would do for her, if their situations were reversed.

I watched him soak in her healing energy. It helped. I could visibly see his skin tone improving and his posture straightening as he regained some of his energy. But… something still seemed off. I couldn't put a finger on it, couldn't even say why I felt that way. I just knew, the same way I knew he was mine to protect. Some alpha instinct then? I scowled. I wasn't sure what I was sensing.

Ruya echoed my expression, her brows drawing together slightly as she put her free hand on Josh's cheek. "It's better. But there is something there that I can't fix." Her power surged as she tried to figure out what was going on.

Josh gently withdrew from her touch. "Ruya, stop. I'm fine. Don't overextend yourself trying to treat a problem that doesn't exist."

She let him go and her expression smoothed out. But I recognized that look. It was the one she wore when she was hiding her true feelings. It was her priestess mask. Ruya was behaving. But she wasn't fooled. "You're right, of course. But let me know if you feel even a little bit ill, okay?"

At Josh's murmured assurances, she held out her hand for her teacup and gave us both a soft smile as if all was well. "So, since we foiled Sadavir's seductions attempts, what were your plans for the day?"

We chatted and joked as we sipped our tea and Josh finished straightening his room. Everything was perfectly in its place when he was done. Meticulous and orderly as always. I brushed a kiss across his cheek as Ruya and I left his room.

We were nearly to the living room when Ruya finally spoke. "He's not okay."

I took her hand and spoke aloud, careful to enunciate. "I know. He won't tell me what it is, though. Nightmares. But is that all?"

She frowned in consideration. "Maybe? Trauma can have effects on physical health as well as the mind. I'll ask Yukio to make him something to help with sleep. But… I think we should keep an eye on him."

I brought her fingers to my lips and pressed a kiss there, so thankful for her care. She had saved us from the vampires, or at least given us a reason to finally take the risk of escaping. But then she had gone beyond that. She had made sure we had a safe place to land, here with her misfit court. She wasn't content to just leave us to our own devices once we were free. And now, for the first time in years , it wasn't just me and my beloved human against the world. I was a powerful naga alpha. But… even the strongest of us need help sometimes. I hadn't realized until that very moment just how alone and isolated I had felt these past few years.

We were no longer alone, Josh and me. We had Ruya. We had friends here in this court. Cicely. Sanka. Perhaps even Martina and Dusek. And even if they resented our presence, Robin and Yukio would fight to protect us simply because we were under their protection.

It was a strange and staggering feeling. I almost felt… safe.