Page 6 of Veradel
Lucan doesn’t say a word as I gather up the hem of the dress I put on what feels like an eternity ago, but I can sense his focus pummeling into us, assessing with narrow eyes, as Taika begins to press against my stomach and ribcage.
“No lumps. No swelling. No bruises.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised. I could have sworn I’d be black and blue, but now that I think about it, the pain in my lungs has already evaporated.
Lucan latches on to that, concern leaking from his voice. “What do you mean ‘really?’ Does it hurt?”
“No,” I say. “I promise.”It did, but not anymore. I feel like I’ll never be in pain again now that I’m next to you.Thank goodness he can’t read my thoughts right now, because my cheeks are already warming in embarrassment.
Taika nods with furrowed white brows. “It’s rather impossible, actually. Are you sure you’re human? Not a were—”
“Taika,” Lucan interjects immediately with a tone that makes me jump.
“A what?” I ask, frowning between the two of them.
“A…”
Taika doesn’t finish. Instead, he glances at Lucan uncertainly, who sighs.
“Their knowledge of the outside world has been extremely limited,” he offers. “But yes, she’s human.”
“Hmm.” For a moment, Taika leans back in his chair, his eyes scouring my face as if for any signs that I’ll keel over sideways and drop dead right in front of him. When I remain seated, blinking at him awkwardly, he says, “Well, if you feel any dizziness or weakness, notice any swelling, or vomit any blood, come right back here. For now, though I’d say you need to rest and recover from… whatever happened. But in the morning...” Here, he turns his gaze back to Lucan. “The pack will be expecting some kind of explanation. We’ve been locked out here for five hundred years, trying to get back in without any kind of breakthrough until now. This is the first living human I’ve seen since the war and the first human many will have seen in their entire lives. They will have questions.”
Lucan gives a curt nod, and I suddenly realize what all those fluttering curtains were about. Vivian, Merrick, and Soren were the only ones who wanted to come and meet me. The others… are they wary? Hesitant? I’m pretty positive Lucan won’t let them eat me at this point, but will they accept me?
The questions subside when Lucan puts a firm hand beneath my elbow, helping me back to a stand. “They can wait until then,” he says, no room for argument in his voice.
Taika nods and grunts to a stand as well. “There’s an extra room above—”
“No need,” Lucan interrupts. “She’s staying with me tonight.”
I whip my head toward him, my heart thrumming again. “I am?”
“Yes. I’m not letting you out of my sight.” Lucan pauses. “In case.”
“You don’t trust Taika’s examination?” I tease.
Lucan raises an eyebrow. “I trust him with my life. But I won’t trust anyone except me with yours.”
My heart skips. If Lucan’s trying to keep me alive, he may need to change tactics before I die of a heart attack.
“Don’t worry,” he adds. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
And there goes my fluttering heart dying of dismay. What if I want him to sleep in the bed with me?
“Are you going to throw me over your shoulder again to get me there?” I ask with a teasing edge, trying to soften the deadly lines in his face. I might be turning to stone, but for now, I’m alive. I’m free. And I want to forget everything that came before this moment for just one night before I have to face reality again. Want him to forget, too.
“No,” Lucan says seriously, his jaw still set. “Now that I know you’re fine, you can walk yourself.”
A bit of disappointment sinks in my chest before his hand reaches up and covers the vial sitting against my chest until it’s sandwiched between our skin. I suppress a gasp when a burst of electricity shoots through me, and his presence invades my mind just like it does when he’s in his Monster form.
Unless you beg me,his thoughts croon into my ear.Then I’ll do whatever you ask of me, little nightmare.
I jolt and give a little cough as his hand drops again, his mind leaving mine as he turns to look out the window.
Taika clears his throat, then lowers his voice so low I have to pause to piece together his words. “Before you leave, I have to ask…” He holds out a little pouch filled with herbs—like a teabag—that I didn’t even notice him retrieve. “Would you like something to prevent… pregnancy?”
The heat of embarrassment whooshes through me before I stutter out, “I… I have to?”
