Page 173 of Vampire's Choice
Surrounded by enemies, they chose not to pretend otherwise, but her response was filled with respect. “I am ever at my lady’s service. Thank you.”
Ruth’s attention moved to Borgas. It took effort, not to instill a fuck-you, middle-finger satisfaction into the next words Lyssa had her convey. Fortunately, Kaela’s contemptuous gaze toward the male provided it.
“Borgas, you are dismissed. Confine yourself to your quarters until the Council can address why you dishonored your role as captain of the honor guard. Lionel, take interim command. Get Lady Kaela and Garron fresh clothing. If they are not in far better condition when next this Council sees them, you’ll answer to me personally.”
Borgas’s eyes flashed again, but he remained silent as Lionel executed a short bow to Ruth, as Lyssa’s spokesperson. “Yes, my lady.”
As they were escorted out, Brian eased Ruth onto a bench in the courtyard. Helga gave her a behave look before she rejoined the Council, though it was accompanied by a light shoulder squeeze. Debra brought Ruth a glass of blood. “Brian says you need this,” she said.
She did. But with Merc’s voice in her head, she knew whose she wanted. And he agreed. Emphatically. “Thank you, but no. I’ll be getting some. Soon.”
Council adjourned during the wait, but reassembled in the driveway at the front of the estate when the rescue team’s arrival was imminent. Jessica stood next to Anwyn, their hands clasped as the two SUVs dispatched to the portal location pulled up with their occupants.
Farida had fallen asleep in her father’s arms after he’d given her blood, but as the car came to a stop, she woke. In an instant, she was in her mother’s embrace. Lord Mason stepped out and straightened to his formidable height. Though his features were still tight and amber eyes glittering with the fallout from the recent threat, he acknowledged the Council’s greeting before he joined his family. Jessica touched the evidence of healed injuries on him, but he spoke assurances and kissed her hand before holding his females close.
Anwyn came to the second vehicle, her face suffused with concern as Gideon was helped out by Daegan. “It’s Fae magic inflicted. It will heal, but it’ll take some time. He’s not as indestructible as he thinks he is, but he’s impossible to keep out of a fight.”
Gideon flicked a burn on Daegan’s shirt. “Wonder who else has that problem?”
Anwyn shook her head, but when she wrapped an arm around both of their necks to pull them to her, they answered in kind. Their arms overlapped one another.
Lyssa was speaking to Belizar, but she and Jacob had Kane in between them. Everyone looked as if they’d had a hellish day, but it had ended the right way.
For them, at least.
Ruth pushed aside the selfish thought, noticing Kane was hollow-eyed and quiet. His gaze strayed to Farida frequently, as if he needed to keep confirming she was all right. Farida had her father’s amber eyes, but Jessica’s curly, thick brown hair and slim build. Her facial features were a mix of both parents.
Ruth expected Kane would do his best to be as strong in the aftermath of this as he’d want his parents to believe he was. And he was that strong. The details Merc had relayed to her had confirmed it. Even so, Ruth would ask Adan to visit the young vampire at the earliest opportunity. His experience with being kidnapped by the Fae, even though it had happened when he was much younger, might be useful.
God, she wished Adan was here. But she really, really, needed Merc. He’d told her he would be out of range again for a short period as he and Maddock took the Fae to Tabor’s court. After that, I need to get Maddock to Charlie.
She wanted to act like a child, scream at him to forget all that. Which was embarrassing and pathetic, so she gave him a prompt, if strained response. Of course. Do what’s needed. I’m all right. I…if you get delayed, I’ll be back at the island. Come when you can. I’m okay.
I will be to you soon, Ruth. I will not let you face any of it alone. Even if you insist, I will ignore your wishes.
She’d sought the solitude of Lyssa’s rose garden during the adjournment. At his words, all the feeling in them—caress, reproof…a Master’s care, no way she could not sense it, not with him in her soul—she wrapped her arms around herself and pressed her chin to her chest.
Okay. You’re not using contractions, by the way.
A sense of laughter was followed by a stirring mental caress. One so intimate it left her wondering just how much range his incubus abilities had, let alone his mind link.
Ruth watched Belizar ruffle Kane’s hair. When whatever the male vampire said coaxed a weak but genuine smile from Kane, it surprised Ruth. Jacob had excused himself to come to Ruth’s side, probably to make sure she knew why Merc wasn’t here. He noted her reaction.
“Belizar’s just as scary as he seems,” Jacob said. “But he’s always had a soft spot for Kane.”
“How long do you think it will be…before Merc comes?” Ruth was having trouble keeping her voice steady.
“Right about…now.” Jacob gestured upward, and she spun around to see her male. Merc had changed into the black and silver battle skirt. With a spike of alarm, she noted there were practical reasons, other than the meet with the High Fae King. His landing was less graceful than normal, because one of his wings was badly scorched, clumps of feathers missing. He didn’t seem bothered about it, though, which should have been reassuring, but it wasn’t. The tender healing flesh on other parts of him emphasized how severe the burns had been.
Yet as soon as his feet were on the earth, his hand was out to her. She expected her vampire speed closed that distance, but she didn’t remember that. Her urgency to be in his embrace simply transported her where she had to be.
I’m so afraid I’m going to fall apart, Merc. I can’t fall apart. Not yet.
All right, you won’t. I won’t let you.
At what point had she begun to realize she could count on him? Lean on him. Trust him. It didn’t matter. It only mattered that it was true. She lifted her head and met his eyes. Her brows rose. “That’s new.”
“Do you like it, or is it…creepy, as Clara might say?”