Chapter 8

Abby

" Z ed!" his name comes out as a panicked cry. I shoot up into a sitting position.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're okay," Frankie's voice sounds in my ear. My head snaps to the side, finding her sitting next to me in the bed.

Placing my hand over my heart, I can feel how hard it's beating against my chest. "Where is he?" I scramble out of bed.

"Abby, you need to take a moment to breathe. Princess, please. You just woke up from a nightmare and are a little disoriented."

I stop, running my hands through my hair. Brows furrowed, I look down to see that I'm clean again. Frankie must have washed and dressed me.

"How did I get back here?" I blink, looking around my room.

"Your father carried you back. I washed you up." She gets out of the bed and comes around to my side. "How are you feeling? Maybe you should lay back down. Your power was nearly drained."

"No." I shake my head. "I need to see Zed." The prison, I remember my dad saying something about a prison. "Where did he send him?" I growl.

Frankie's face twists. "I can take you. But I don't think you're in any shape to be going right now. Get some more rest, something to eat, and then we can go."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I laugh in disbelief, slight hysteria taking over. "After a week of going into that fucking pool, risking my life, losing parts of my soul and powers, I have finally found him. I found Zed. I brought him back. And you want me to just sit on my ass, twiddling my thumbs."

She gives me a pissed off scowl as she steps forward.

"I get that you're emotional, a lot of fucking shit happened in a small amount of time. I know you're eager to see Zed. I'm going crazy with the need to see him with my own eyes too. But, mate or not, I will not allow you to have that attitude. So, either you chill the fuck out and see that I'm trying to take care of my mate so you don't crash and burn again. Or, I put you over my knee and spank your ass until you can't fucking sit."

My eyes widen, and my lips part. Her words have stunned me into silence.

A slow grin spreads over her beautiful face. "That's my girl. Now. Sit. Down."

Blinking, I do as she tells me, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Good girl. Now, the guys are up already, down in the kitchen making you something to eat. They've been going crazy with worry and getting on my fucking nerves so, I sent them away to keep busy."

"How long was I sleeping?" Now that I've had some time to process, I realize that I'm not as sore and tired as I thought I'd be.

"Three days."

"What?!" I shout, jumping to my feet.

"Sit. Down," she growls, grabbing my shoulders and shoving me back down.

Tilting my head back, I glare up at my mate. She's in casual clothes today. A white tight crop top and a pair of high waisted light blue ripped jeans. Her hair is down in tamed beach curls.

She looks so damn good, while I'm sure I look like a hot mess.

"Zed isn't going anywhere. I've been down to the prison myself."

"You've seen him?" I ask her, voice barely a whisper.

"No," she sighs. "I'm not sure I'm ready to see him yet. Also, I wanted you to be the first person he sees. But, the guards who are stationed there have seen him. They said he's in there, saw him with their own eyes."

"Is he okay?" My gut twists, wondering if he's in any pain.

"I'm not sure. They can't go into his cell to check for themselves because of the magic. But I've been told he's alive and in one piece."

"That's good," I sigh. "Alive is good."

"Alive is amazing. Now, please , can we at least get you dressed and a full belly before you go see him."

"I don't think I can eat." I chew on my lower lip, my belly twisting in knots.

"Well, you have to try. It's been days since you've last eaten, and you've lost a lot of your power. Your dad said you need to take it easy if you want it to return to its full strength."

"Fine." I roll my eyes. "Whatever you say, Mommy."

Frankie chuckles. "Careful what you say, Princess." I shiver as she runs her fingers through my hair, her nails lightly scraping against my skull. She leans over, bringing her lips close to mine as she cradles the back of my head. "And I prefer Ma'am."

My core heats as my heart picks up its pace. I lick my lips before parting them.

Frankie's eyes glaze over, nostrils flaring. "Fuck me, Princess," she groans. "I can smell you. And it's taking everything in me not to pin you to this bed and eat that perfect wet cunt until you're dripping down my chin."

"Oh god," I whisper, my body reacting to her words, making her curse.

She lets go of me, taking a step back. I miss her instantly. "None of that," she warns. "Once you've seen Zed, and see for yourself that he's okay, then we can do what we've been wanting to do for a very long fucking time." Her eyes slowly roam up and down my body, lingering on my tits.

My nipples are rock hard, pressing against the sleep shirt I'm wearing, which I now see is one of hers. It's mine now.

"Dress, now." She winks before leaving me alone in the room.

Taking a deep breath, I walk over to the bathroom. My reflection doesn't look that bad, just like I need some more sleep. My hair is clean, so are my face and body. Has Frankie been bathing me while I was in that crazy three-day deep sleep?

She's amazing. I don't deserve her. But I'm so damn grateful she's been putting up with everything I've been throwing her way; that goes for the guys too.

"He's back," I tell myself in the mirror, smiling wide as a disbelieving laugh bubbles up. "He's fucking back!" I spin around, doing a little happy dance. I got my mate back. All of that pain and time was worth it. I'd do it all over again, even with the high risk.

Maybe that's wrong of me, but knowing it paid off in the end—that I found him—that's all that matters to me right now.

Getting dressed, I meet Frankie outside my room. "Ready?" she asks.

"For food or to see Zed?"

"Food." She gives me a pointed look.

"Not really. I'm too antsy to sit still and wait."

"Well, too bad. You don't know where the prison is, I do. So, you have to wait until I can take you, and I'm not taking you until after you eat."

"I could always find Beelzebub and ask him."

We walk side by side down the stairs. "Please," she scoffs. "No one wants to risk finding that man, only to see him balls deep in god knows who."

That makes me smile and laugh. "Did you run into him?"

"Rocky mentioned on our way into the castle that he's the one who told you where the pool of souls is located. Tracked him down and..." she shivers. "I'm forever scarred from the image of his dick going off like a fire hose."

"Oh hell." I shake my head. "Well, I walked in on him during a threesome, thrusting away, so I feel your pain."

We get to the bottom of the stairs and Frankie wraps her arm around my shoulder. "My poor baby. We can be traumatized together."

We're laughing as we step into the kitchen. For the first time since that dreadful night, I've been able to smile, to laugh, but I know I won't be totally at ease until I see Zed.

So, if eating means I can see him sooner, that's what I'll do.

"Oh, thank god. You're alive," Luke cheers, rushing out the words before running over to me. I grunt when he pulls me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Luke, let the girl go," Isaac chastises, prying our mate off me.

"I'm alive," I laugh.

"Do you know how fucking horrifying it was to see you get pulled down by those fucking souls?" Luke scowls. "These guys had to keep me from jumping in after you."

My face falls. "I'm sorry." Guilt swarms me. "I'm sorry I risked my life. But I got him back." It's so strange to say those words. It just makes me even more impatient to see him.

"It was weird, you know," Isaac starts, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Your dad pulled him out. And for all of a second, we got to see him before he snapped him out of thin air."

"How did he look?" I ask, swallowing hard.

"Hard to say. He looked like him, but... bigger?"

"Bigger?" I frown.

"Before, he was what? Six feet?" I nod.

"He looked closer to seven. Maybe even eight feet tall," Noah finishes.

"Holy shit," I whisper. "Maybe the pool did something to him?" I hope that's all it changed. Worry floods my veins, and now I want to leave.

"Stop it," Frankie warns the guys. "Sit and eat. You're making her worry, and it's going to be next to impossible to get something into her damn stomach."

"Let me get you a plate," Leo offers, coming to stand by my side as I grab a mug to make a cup of coffee.

"Thanks." I smile over at him.

"He's back," he reassures, plating some bacon, smiling down at the plate.

"He's back." I rest my head on his arm, and he kisses the top of my head.

As we eat, Frankie informs me that the guys can't come—too many unauthorized people. My father has only given Frankie and me permission to go down there.

The guys give me a hug and kiss goodbye, and unlike last time, I know this isn't going to be the final time I see them.

"Is it weird that I'm nervous?" I ask Frankie as we walk down the stone steps to the prison entrance.

"Of course not. You would be crazy not to be. Like your father said, there's a good chance this Zed isn't ours." She looks over at me. "I need you to know that going in there. Do not be surprised if that's how it is."

"I don't care," I find myself saying. "Yes, I want my Zed back. I'd love that more than anything, but... maybe it's messed up, maybe it's selfish? But I'd be happy with just having him. However he might be."

Guards wait for us at the bottom, dressed in uniforms similar to Frankie's. One an ogre, the other a vampire like Frankie. "Francesca." The ogre guard nods at her. "Princess." The other nods at me.

Frankie nods back.

"I'd like to go over the rules before we let you in," the ogre says. "Stay away from any other cells. When you arrive at your prisoner's cell, do not get too close. Avoid getting them worked up as it can be very damn hard to get them to calm down again."

"He's not in prison," I tell them, getting angry. "He is my mate."

The ogre clears his throat. "My apologies, Princess. Of course. However, as much as you might be tempted, mate or not, he is still considered unhinged enough to need to be behind bars."

Worry rushes through me. "I want to see him. Now."

He nods. "He's in cell block D. His is the very last one at the end of the hall. Please, walk in the middle. There's a red line indicating the path."

The guards let us pass. I follow after Frankie, the sounds of her boots thumping against the floor.

This place is miserable. As soon as I step through the door, I feel sick. It's cold and wet; the whole place is stone like a cave.

Evil. This place feels evil. Like sick and twisted things lurk behind the cell doors. Zed shouldn't be in here, not with these monsters. Are these the souls my father brought back from the pit?

Screams, moans of pain, and roars of anger fill the air around us.

Each cell we pass, I grow more and more uneasy. My stomach churns and the need to turn and run is strong. The creatures bang on their cell doors. Something shocks them back whenever they try to stick their hands through the barred windows at the top of their doors. I jolt in surprise, and Frankie catches me.

"Afraid, are you?" Frankie teases in amusement.

"No," I huff. "Just don't know what to expect."

She looks up and frowns. "It's down here," Frankie says. We turn right and head down a long, dark hall.

I'm quick to notice that there are no other cells down here. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

At the end of the hall, one light flickers in the ceiling.

Frankie stops walking as we get close. "What's wrong?"

"There's no other cells down here. You should be safe. Just do as the guards said. No matter how much you want to, do not get close to the door."

"You're not coming with me?" I frown.

"Go see your mate, Abby. I'll see him another time. You need to be the one to do this."

She smiles and leans against the wall, waiting for me to leave.

Turning around, I continue towards the cell with hesitant steps.

Taking a deep breath, I try to prepare myself for what I'm about to see when I approach his cell. A mix of nerves and excitement fill me. My mate is just a few feet away.

Unlike the others, it's not a solid door with a small window. His cell has bars, like the ones you see in a county jail. I'm able to see the entirety of his room.

There's a bed and a toilet—nothing special, but it looks fairly clean. My brows furrow when I don't see him.

A movement catches my eye. In the far corner of the room, I see a figure.

"Zed?" My throat tightens as tears sting my eyes. He's huddled in a ball, his wings wrapped around him like a cocoon.

I gasp, my eyes darting around his wings. The once stunning black feathers are now jagged. It looks like handfuls have been pulled out, some broken.

My heart fucking breaks.

His wings unfurl and his head snaps up at the sound of my voice.

Like a pounding drum, my pulse goes wild, eyes going wide as he stares at me. His once blue eyes are now as black as his wings.

He cocks his head to the side, blinking. It feels like he's staring into my soul.

"Zed," I whisper his name again, my hand reaching out for him.

The longer he looks at me like I'm a stranger, like he has no idea who I am, the more I realize my dad was right. This isn't Zed. Not my Zed.

I take a step back as he moves to stand. "Holy shit," I whisper in shock as his massive body stands at about seven feet.

With his head still cocked to the side, he slowly moves toward me. His shaggy black hair is a tangled mess, his toned body covered in black smudges.

He's naked, his large cock swaying with every step. The tattered wings stay behind him, at half mast.

I'm in shock, frozen in my spot. I'm not sure if I want to cry or laugh.

Every second that passes has me growing more and more anxious.

"Zed?" I try again. "Zed, baby, it's me Abby. Your mate."

He cocks his head again, this time to the other side.

Just before he reaches the bars, he stops and slowly takes me in. I can feel his eyes trailing over my body.

I bite my lip, trying not to let my eyes drop to his dick, but it's not easy because it's slowly hardening. It's big and really fucking noticeable.

He closes his eyes as he inhales deeply. A deep, rumbling sound rattles in his chest. Eyes snapping open, he growls. "Mine."

It all happens in the blink of an eye. He shoots forward, like he's trying to get to me, but as soon as he makes contact with the bars, he jolts back. The force sends him crashing against the cell wall. He lets out a pained groan as his body crumbles to the ground.

"Zed!" I shout in horror, about to approach the cell.

"Don't!" my father's booming voice sounds.

My head snaps to the side. "What the fuck was that!" I shout. "He's hurt."

"Of course, he is. He touched something that's warded by my magic." He sighs, shaking his head. "How else do you expect me to keep him contained?"

"Let him out," I demand. "He doesn't need to be contained. He should be in the castle, with a warm bed, not this fucking shit hole."

Worried, my eyes find Zed again. He grunts, moving to lay on his side. His eyes are still shut, chest heaving. "If you won't let him out, at least let me in."

"Absolutely not," Dad barks. "You don't know what he's capable of. That man isn't your Zed, it's clear enough to see."

"But he's in there somewhere, I know it," I argue back. "He knows I'm his. He said so! It's like his soul could tell."

"Or, he wants to fucking eat you."

"Oh, fuck off," I snap back. "Angels don't fucking eat people."

"That you know of."

"Alright. Enough!" I shake my head. "What that happen to me if I touch the bars?"

"Nothing," he grinds out. "My power won't hurt you. You know this." I move to step forward again. "But!" he says quickly. "I can't let you release him."

"Dad," I argue.

"No." He shakes his head. "I'll allow you to come here as much as you want, sit with him and see what happens. But you will not let him out until we both know it's safe. Do you want to risk the lives of your other mates? Because I know I'm not willing to risk the people of my kingdom. There's a reason why souls that are brought back from the pool are locked up."

I look back to Zed, a war waging inside me. But he's right, I don't know what this version of Zed is capable of. I can't risk people getting hurt.

"Fine." I say reluctantly. "But as soon as I know it's safe, I'm letting him out."

My dad nods, then I watch as he waves his hand. In a flash, Zed is clean, and the damage done is mended. He's now sleeping soundly on the bed inside the cell.

"I'll make sure he has everything he needs to be comfortable in there."

"Thank you." I look away.

My attention stays on Zed, my heart aching to be with him, touch him, hold him.

"Abby." My father sounds closer. Gritting my teeth, I don't look his way, but I listen to his words. "I love you. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was against you on this. But you need to understand there's a lot about Hell you don't know. I'm not doing these things to punish you, I'm doing them to protect you."

"When will you understand that sometimes protecting me will only cause more harm than good?" I whisper, swallowing hard.

He stands there for a moment, before I hear him walk away.

Sighing, I lean against the wall across from the cell and slide down to the ground. Bringing my knees up, I hug them to my body and place my chin on top.

I sit there, watching Zed. He doesn't wake, doesn't move. I stay there until my eyes grow heavy and can no longer stay open.