Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

V era watched anxiously as the Elvar healers tended to Grabon. Even unconscious, he flinched when they carefully applied an herbal poultice to the wound on his side. She had to bite her lip to keep herself from demanding that they stop. To beg them not to hurt him. But she knew that they were only trying to help him, and she managed to keep her mouth shut.

She held his hand instead, gripping it as if her will alone could give him the strength to survive. She'd held it ever since they'd brought him here, hastily fastening four beds together to form one large enough for his massive body, and even then he dwarfed it. She'd held it while they stitched up the terrifying wound on his side, although she'd had to look away, unable to bear the sight of the needle moving through his flesh.

Tears welled in her eyes as she watched the Elvar work, their delicate hands moving with practiced efficiency. If Grabon hadn't come for her, if he hadn't put himself between her and danger …

"This is all my fault," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the bustle of the makeshift infirmary.

Her heart broke at the sight of his pain. Pain he was undergoing because of her.

As if in response to her voice, his eyes fluttered open, immediately finding hers. Despite his weakened state, he managed a small smile.

"Vera," he breathed, trying to tighten his hand around hers, his grip frighteningly weak.

She gripped him more firmly instead.

"I'm here," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm so sorry, Grabon. You shouldn't have?—"

"I'd do it again," he interrupted, his voice hoarse but firm. "For you."

His words only intensified her guilt and she bit her lip, fighting back a sob.

"I love you," she whispered.

Another small smile curved his lips as his eyes fluttered closed

"Love … too …" he whispered, his voice barely audible as he lost consciousness again.

She refused to budge from his side, despite the gentle urging of the Elvar. Their soft voices and concerned glances washed over her, but she remained where she was, watching his face for any sign that he might be regaining consciousness. The makeshift infirmary bustled around her, but she ignored it, focused only on her mate.

Most of the time she clasped his hand in both of hers, hoping that he could feel her presence even in his current state.

As night fell, the activity in the infirmary slowed. Her eyelids grew heavy, but she fought against the need to sleep. The thought of being away from him, even for a moment, sent a jolt of panic through her. What if he woke and she wasn't there? What if he needed her?

Finally she edged the worn wooden chair she was sitting in even closer to the bed, the scrape of its legs against the floor echoing in the quiet room. She pushed it close enough that she could lean forwards and rest her head on the mattress.

Settling back into the chair, she resumed her vigil. Her back ached and her muscles protested, but she ignored the discomfort. It was nothing compared to what Grabon had endured for her. Guilt and love warred within her, but both of them urged her to remain at his side.

She jolted awake, her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps. She'd been having a nightmare, vivid and terrifying, reliving the chaos of the battle, hearing the screams of the wounded, the overwhelming fear that had gripped her as real as it had been then.

Her eyes darted around the dimly lit infirmary, momentarily disoriented. But then she found Grabon's still form beside her, and reality came rushing back. She was safe. And they had won. But at what cost?

She concentrated on the feel of his hand in hers, the warmth of his skin seeping into her icy fingers. She clung to him, drawing strength from his presence even in his unconscious state.

The memories of the battle continued to swirl in her mind, refusing to be banished. She saw herself huddled in the battlements, watching in horror as the Elvar were pushed back. The explosion she had rigged, the chaos that followed. And then, the terror of being dragged away by the slaver, helpless and afraid.

She shuddered, squeezing Grabon's hand tighter. Then she leaned down, pressing her forehead against their joined hands.

"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. "Please, come back to me."

Her eyes snapped open again at the sound of rustling sheets. Her heart raced as she saw Grabon stirring, his eyes slowly fluttering open. For a moment, she held her breath, afraid to believe it was real.

Then his beautiful green eyes met hers, and the world seemed to stand still. The warmth and love in them overwhelmed her, making her throat tight with emotion.

"You stayed," he said, his voice raspy.

Tears streamed down her cheeks and she gripped his hand even tighter.

"I couldn't leave you. I was so scared," she admitted, her voice trembling. "When I saw you injured, I thought … I thought I might lose you."

He tried to return her grip, but his hands were still weak.

"I was afraid too," he confessed, his eyes never leaving hers. "Not for myself, but for you. The thought of you in danger …"

Vera nodded, understanding the depth of his fear. It mirrored her own.

"I would do anything to keep you safe and make you happy."

She managed a tremulous smile.

"Then hurry up and get better. Nothing would make me happier. I was so foolish," she added, her voice thick with regret. "I doubted you, pushed you away. If I had lost you …"

He shook his head slightly, then winced at the movement.

"I should have told you sooner about the ship. About why I was here. I was just … afraid, afraid you wouldn't understand and that you would think I was your enemy. And the longer I went without telling you, the harder it became. "

He leaned back against the pillows, the long speech clearly exhausting him.

"Rest," she urged gently. "You need to get your strength back. We have lots of time to talk later."

She settled back in the chair, resting her head against the edge of the mattress and still clutching his hand.

"I'm not going anywhere," she promised. "I'll be here when you wake."

She watched as his eyes slowly closed, his breathing growing deep and even as he drifted back into slumber. She let her eyes close as well, content to keep vigil at his side, relieved and thankful that they were finally together again.

Over the next few days he slowly but steadily began to regain his strength. She knew he was frustrated by the process, impatient to return to his usual self, and did her best to keep him calm and happy.

She still spent almost all her time at his side, although she left for a short time each day to shower and change. As soon as the healers permitted it he had a steady stream of visitors, and she tried to use those times so he wouldn't be alone.

Argon was the most frequent visitor, amusing both of them with his stories, but she quickly realized what a thoughtful male he was beneath the joviality. He and his crew had taken care of the aftermath of the battle - restoring as much order as possible to the stronghold and dealing with the remaining guards. Some of them would be returning to the capitol. Others were tried and sentenced on the island. Maeve had helped them convince any Elvar who had suffered at the hands of a particular guard to testify against them.

"Thank you," she said quietly one day as she accompanied him to the door after Grabon had fallen asleep, clearly worn out by the visit, but with a smile on his face. "He would have insisted on trying to do all this long before he had the strength to do so."

Argon smiled at her.

"He has always been an honorable male, but not, I think, a happy one. I'm glad he's found happiness at last."

She gave him a shaky, gratified smile before returning to Grabon's side.

She spent the nights with him as well and after the second night he insisted that she share his bed. She carefully climbed in next to his uninjured side and they both sighed as their bodies came together.

"My mate," he whispered, brushing a gentle kiss across her shoulder.

"Yes, I am. And as soon as you have recovered we will celebrate properly."

"I can think of no better incentive."

Perhaps he was right because he did seem to heal more rapidly after that - rapidly enough that he was soon chafing at being confined to the bed.

"You can't force your body to heal faster," she told him, half amused, half frustrated, when she returned from a trip to the bathroom to find him struggling to put his feet on the floor. "You don't want to relapse do you?"

"I have no intention of doing anything of the kind," he growled, then gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry. I just hate feeling this weak."

"You're not weak," she said fiercely. "I've never known anyone with more strength and determination and courage."

"It's easier to have courage when I know you're by my side."

The memory of how they had parted just before the battle brought her an intense burst of shame and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"I'm so sorry for the way I acted," she whispered. "I should have trusted you."

He raised her chin gently, forcing her to look at him.

"We've both made mistakes," he said softly. "I should have told you the truth about the ship. I was just so afraid you wouldn't understand. I think we should both put it behind us. The future is what matters. Deal?"

She wasn't sure it would be quite so easy, but he was right - they should concentrate on the future and not the past.

"Deal," she agreed, leaning forward to brush her lips against his. "A deal sealed with a kiss."

He gave a soft growl, and wound her braid around his hand, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss, his mouth hungry and demanding. They were both panting when they broke apart and a huge erection tented the sheet between his legs.

"I see some parts of you are completely healed."

Her voice came out low and breathless, a similar heat pulsing low in her stomach.

"So you can understand why I'm so eager to get out of here."

"I don't think it will be much longer," she promised, unable to resist running an eager hand over his cock. "And I'm looking forward to it just as much."