Page 123 of Primal Bonds

Her brother hung his head. “If he dies, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Evie’s heart hurt for him. It could’ve easily been her—she knew all too well how strong Tyrus was. “It’s not your fault. I know. He tried that crap on me, and I…I couldn’t break away.”

“Really?” Kyler shot her a hopeful look. Then he shook his head. “But at least no one got hurt because of you. I’m the fucking weak human.”

Evie swallowed and tried to think of something to say, but Beau just gave him a shake. “Enough with the self-pity,” he growled.

Kyler flushed. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

Beau gave him a squeeze and then released him and headed for the kitchen. “I could use your help here,” he said over his shoulder. “Suha’s going to be starving when she gets done with Horace, and your sister and Jace could use some food, too.”

“Kyler,” Evie said. “Horace is going to be okay. Suha’s good at what she does.”

He nodded, and then gave a little shrug. “I’d better help Beau. You don’t want to mess with a bear.”

“Yeah.” She watched, bemused, as he hurried after Beau. What had just happened? But that rough male compassion seemed to be exactly what her brother needed.

She left the two of them debating whether to make breakfast or lunch and headed after Jace.

Horace was on his back, the cover drawn up to his waist. Evie sucked in a breath. He was so still, his cheekbones tinted a fevered red. Suha hovered over him like a benevolent witch in a lime green tunic, her quartz glowing. On the other side of the bed, Jace had pulled up a chair and had Horace’s hand clasped between his two palms. His jaw was set. He looked like he was trying to heal his friend through sheer willpower.

Evie touched Suha’s shoulder. “Can I help?”

The healer shook her head. “Almost done,” she muttered.

Evie set her hands on Suha’s back anyway and concentrated on sending her energy.

The healer visibly perked up. A minute later she sat back. “There,” she said with satisfaction. She put a hand to her sacrum, massaging it. Her pretty face was drawn, but she winked at Evie. “Thanks for the boost. He’s going to be all right.”

Tears stung Evie’s eyes. She met Jace’s eyes across the bed. The relief on his face made her heart twist. “Good,” she said. “That’s good.”

Horace’s eyes opened and he glanced from Jace to Evie. “You’re all right,” he murmured. “I thought—”

“No fucking traitor is going to take me out. Or a fae, either.”

“Yeah.” Horace’s mouth curled in a shadow of his usual smile. His gaze moved to Evie. “Sorry, love. Tried…to stop them.”

She touched his hand. “I know.”

“Don’t talk, you ass,” Jace said tenderly. “Save your breath to get better. We’re fine, and that motherfucking fae is dead. Here.” He slid an arm under Horace’s shoulders and held a glass of water to his lips.

The other man drank thirstily before sinking back onto the pillows. Then his eyes popped open, and he clutched Jace’s wrist. “What about…Corban and Kane?”

“Kane’s dead,” Jace assured him. “But Corban got away. Adric said a fae ’ported him out.”

“Lord Prick?”

“Nah. We’re not even sure it was a night fae.”

“Well. Two…out of three…ain’t bad.’

“Horace needs to rest,” Suha inserted. “You, too,” she told Jace and Evie. “The two of you look like you’re running on fumes. If a night fae fed on you, you need to recharge. That’s the alpha’s order, by the way.”

But they waited until Horace’s eyes closed before slipping out of the room.

“Shower first,” she said. “I can still smell that night fae on me.” Residual fear rippled up her spine. She had a feeling she was going to have nightmares about Tyrus for a long time.

Jace’s fingers spread across the small of her back, large and warm. “It’s over, angel.”

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