Page 72 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

My stomach pitched. A wound of that caliber would need more than her natural healing abilities.

I brushed the hair out of her face. Blood was splattered across her features, but she still looked so beautiful even with the several small cuts painted on her skin. Good thing the creatures were already dead.

I scooped her up in my arms, grabbing her discarded dagger and sheathing it at my side. She was limp in my arms as I made my way to Kara and Luciana who were removing their weapons from the dead monsters in front of them.

“Is she okay?” Kara’s voice was thick with concern.

“Her smaller wounds appear to be healing, but the larger wound on her leg isn’t, and she’s still not waking up.”

“Put her down,” Luciana directed. “I can heal her.”

I shook my head. “I’m not letting her go.” Luciana and Kara shared a look before Luciana turned her attention back to me.

“Fine, but will you sit at least?”

I looked around until I found a spot against the wall of thecave that wasn’t covered in blood. Carefully I lowered myself to the ground, still holding Lennox’s limp body against my chest.

Luciana and Kara knelt in front of me. Luciana placed her hands on Lennox’s wound.

“It might take a while.” She met my stare.

My body felt numb. “Promise me you can heal her.”

“I don’t like to make promises,” Luce swallowed, “But I am a damn good witch, Luka.”

Luce’s hands glowed as she pushed her magic into Lennox’s body. I had to remind myself to breathe as I waited for any indication what Luciana was doing was working.

I didn’t know how much time had passed. We were all silent as we waited. Silent tears streaked down Kara’s face as she stared at her sister. She didn’t attempt to wipe them away as they made tracks through the green blood crusting her face.

Slowly the color came back to Lennox’s features, easing the pressure in my chest slightly.

I held my breath as I waited for her to open her eyes.

Please, Lennox. I pushed the words through the faint bond between us—if there even was one anymore. The spell could be gone for all I knew.

Lennox, wake up. Please.

I stroked her hair, letting my hand move to her cheek, my finger dragging over her blood-speckled skin as I held her tighter against me.

“C'mon, Sweetheart.”

Her eyelids fluttered, causing a spark of hope to flicker in my chest.

They fluttered again, this time they opened and I was met with those emerald eyes.

Her brows pinched. “Luka?”

I forced a relaxed smile onto my face. “Hey, I’m here.” My voice stuck in my throat.

“You’re here? What happened?”

“You let those creatures get the best of you, but Lucianahealed you.” I looked up at Luciana, giving her a smile. “You’re all good now.”

She shifted in my arms, wincing slightly. “I must have got hit hard. My body fucking hurts.”

“I healed your injuries, but you might be stiff for a couple of hours,” Luciana told her.

“Thank you,” She rasped.

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