Page 142 of Wrath of the Fae

‘It’s better the air gets to it.’

‘Cover it, Reid.’

He’s silent, and I know he’s looking at me.

‘Please. Cover it.’

I hear tearing before he wraps a blindfold around me.

‘What if it’s not gone?’

‘What?’ he asks, sitting beside me.

‘My need for blood.’

‘I have no problem at all with you taking my blood. It’s yours. As much as you need or want.’

‘A weird sentence. Even for you.’

‘Weird is what we do, Little Bird.’ His hand takes mine. ‘If you feel that side of you rearing its head, we’ll give you what you need.’ He pulls me closer, his face buried in my hair as he inhales. ‘We will always give you what you need.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper. ‘I should have known you were in trouble. I should have-’

‘I’ve said to you before. You’re not allowed to say that word to me. To either of us. Never.’

‘Thank fuck! You’re awake,’ Cyrus breathes, his feet meeting the ground and his wings rustling as he rushes over. I’m engulfed in his arms before I can say a word. His embrace is so tight it’s a challenge to breathe. ‘I was out of my fucking mind. Don’t ever, EVER, pull a stunt like that again.’

‘Sorry,’ I mumble into his neck. ‘For everything.’

‘Shut up, you idiot,’ he sighs in relief. ‘Fucking sorry. You’re forbidden from saying that to us. Ever.’

‘See?’ Reid mumbles in agreement.

Cyrus pulls back. I feel his stare on me. ‘Why is she blindfolded? The wound needs to breathe.’

‘She insisted,’ Reid replies, his hand making slow circles on my back.

‘That better not be on our account,’ Cyrus accuses. ‘You think we give a shit what you look like? We care that you heal. That you’re not in pain.’ He goes to take it off.

‘Leave it. Please.’ I grab his wrist, stopping him. ‘I feel better covered. Leave it.’

‘Did you get what we need?’ Reid asks.

Cyrus lets go. The blindfold stays.

‘Yeah. I got what we need.’

‘Why do I not like the way you just said that?’ I ask, anxiety rising in my chest.

‘Because you’re not going to like it, Princess. It’s going to fucking hurt.’ He takes my injured arm and holds it. His wings shift and I swear I feel their anger. ‘Your bone is sticking through. And your body is healing around it. You heal fast. Faster than us, it would seem. If we don’t get it back in place, you’ll lose the ability to use your hand again.’

‘Wait. Put it back? What does that mean?’

A stick is placed in my other hand.

‘It means you’re going to have to bite down on this. And if you feel like you’re going to pass out, go with it.’ Cyrus takes my chin. ‘I’m so sorry to do this to you, but we have no choice. Put the stick between your teeth and try not to scream too much. We don’t want to be heard.’

‘I can’t do this,’ I whisper, trembling all over. ‘I can’t. No more. Please!’

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