Page 34 of Princess
“How did she… what happened to me?” Cooper asked, running his hands through his hair. The last thing he remembered was chasing the hooded figure, talking to him in the woods, then nothing. “Is she going tobeokay?”
“She was able to detect that you were under a necromancer spell. Her healing you meant she had to draw the spell onto her, in order to heal you,” Vladimir said, gazing at hisdaughter.
“Why would she risk herself for me?” Cooper questioned, wanting to pull his hair out inworry.
“You are special to her,” Alin answered, coming to stand next to herhusband.
“Toma and Teague brought you here unconscious. What do you remember?” the Kingasked.
“Toma and Teague were fighting the versi and a hooded figure stood off to the side. I ran after theperson—”
“Who was it?” Nicu asked, coming to stand next to Vladimir. Nadira remained deathly pale in the bed while the blood made its way tohervein.
“He said that he was Nadira’s soon-to-be betrothed,” Cooper said looking around the room as everyone became still and turned their attentiontohim.
“Did he give a name?” Vladimir asked, glancing at Nicu first, and then turning his attention toCooper.
“Yes, he said his name was Xalak.” Curses filled the room. His eyes locked on Nadira, he just had to be near her. In such a short time, she had crawled into a corner of his heart. He made his way back to her, needing to touch her, feel her, and protect her. Teague moved aside, allowing Cooper to switch places with him on the bed. He pulled Nadira’s warm body against his chest. Alin draped a blanketaroundthem.
Cooper informed them of everything that happened when he chased Xalak and theirconversation.
“How does he know you?” Toma asked, scowling, from the other side oftheroom.
“I’m not sure but he had a message for me to give Nadira,” Cooper’s voice was grim as he looked aroundtheroom.
“What the fuck is it?” Nicu demanded, crossing his arms across hischest.
“He said to tell Nadira, that he is coming for her,” Cooper said, pulling Nadira close. Her chest rose and fell in a steadyrhythm.
“Like hell, he is!” Teagueshouted.
“Nicu, I want a member of the Dark Shadows on her at all time,” Vladimir directed angrily, standing in front of his eldest son. “The necromancers are not getting my daughter! We are calling on the Council. We are going to war!” Vladimir stalked out the room with Nicu, Toma, and Teague, leaving Cooper alone with Nadira and hermother.
“Come on, baby, wake up for me,” Cooper whispered inNadira’sear.
“Only she and the Gods know when she will wake up. She will have to fight to come back to us. The blood we hung on her will ensure that she remains strong,” Alin said, settling into the chair by thewindow.
“Nadira, baby, can you hear me?” Cooper whispered in her ear, watching her eyes twitch. “Come to me, baby,” he begged her. His heart was heavy wanting to see her ice blue eyes again. He was not sure how he knew but he felt as if he should continue to speak to her, to let her know that she wasn’t alone. Maybe his voice would help steer her back to him. “Has this happened to herbefore?”
Alin nodded, “Once before. She was healing her brother Teague when they were younger and she slipped into a deep exhaustion like this. By us infusing blood into her, it will provide nourishment she will need while she is unabletofeed.”
“So, she’ll be okay?” He had to know since he felt so helpless right now. He pulled her closer, pushing her hair out ofherface.
“She should be,” Alin whispered, looking out the window. “My husband is about to go to war with the necromancers to protect our child and this world. She hastobe.”
Cooper continued to whisper in Nadira’s ear, telling her of his family, stories from his childhood, the police academy, his first beat as a police officer and his promotion to detective. He talked for hours, even after the queen left, promising to come and check in on them. He had come to terms that he was in love with this little wisp of a woman, vampirism, and all. He shifted in the bed, tucking her into his side as he drifted off to sleep with her inhisarms.
