Page 120 of Primal Bonds

“That should do it.” Tommy smiled at her. “But take it easy for the next few days.”

She tentatively moved her fingers, amazed to find it barely hurt. “I will,” she replied, “and thank you.”

He nodded and turned to Jace.

Evie rested her head against the trunk and watched, tired to her very toes. She was aware of people coming and going, and intense, low-voiced conversations, but it seemed to be happening far away.

Adric appeared and dragged off his own T-shirt so that she had something covering her. He’d been in a fight himself—his face and chest had been clawed—but his wounds were already closing up. He crouched next to her, bronze eyes concerned. “You okay, love?”

She nodded jerkily. “Kyler? He’s…all right?”

“Yeah. A little shook up, but he’s fine. Suha and Beau are with him, along with two soldiers.”

Relief flooded her. “Thank you,” she rasped.

He squeezed her shoulder. “No thanks necessary. I’m just sorry the two of you got caught up in this.”

“At least it’s over.”

“I hope so,” the alpha muttered.

Jace roused himself enough to ask about Corban and Kane.

Adric shook his head. “Kane’s dead. Corban took off like the rat he is—left his own brother to take the fall.”

“No surprise there,” Jace said.

“We’ll get him,” Adric returned grimly. “He’s a dead man.” He lifted a brow at Evie. “That was you who took Tyrus out with a fae ball?”

“I guess.” As if sensing their interest, the fae light wafted onto her lap and glowed a little more brightly. She stroked it, not sure herself exactly what had happened. “I don’t know anything about a fae ball—I just used this light. He—the night fae—was hurting Jace. He was fighting with magic, strangling Jace with some kind of magical rope.”

She swallowed, recalling her horror as Jace had clawed desperately at his neck, unable to stop the rope from constricting. “I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. I thought about how night fae can be burned by the sun, and—” She spread her hands. “I only wanted to distract him. I never thought it would set him on fire.”

Jace’s mouth curved. “She was fucking awesome.”

Adric squeezed her shoulder again. “Whatever you did, good work.” He turned to answer a question from one of his soldiers, and Tommy sat back.

“That should get you home,” he told Jace. “But both of you need rest. Go back to your den and stay in bed the rest of the day. Healer’s orders.”

Jace stood up and gave a bone-cracking stretch. “Sounds like a plan.” He bent down and before Evie knew what he was doing, swung her into his arms. To Adric he said, “She’s had enough. You have any more questions, you can ask them later.”

The alpha inclined his head.

“I can walk,” she said, but Jace fixed her with a glare.

“Let me take care of you, okay?”

Evie blinked. She couldn’t recall any man ever saying those words to her. She opened her mouth to argue—she could take care of herself, damn it. But although Jace’s expression was stern, she saw the worry way back in his eyes.

“Okay,” she said and rested her head against his shoulder. Because she was a little shaky, and if it made him happy, why not?

Jace headed into the woods with a ground-eating stride. She had the feeling he would’ve walked all the way back to his den butt-naked, but someone must have called for backup because a jeep pulled up as they emerged from the trees at the park’s south end.

A pretty black-haired woman rolled down the window. “Need a ride?”

“Dina,” said Jace. “Right on time.”

“Anything for you, boss.” She gave Evie a friendly smile and hopped out to open the back door.

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