Take Me

“Considering we got power from you after drinking your blood, I think it's safe to assume you do,” Garret said.

“And she did manage to survive the fall,” Elliot pointed out with pride. “A little banged up, but better than...”

There was no need to spell it out.

The very thought of my mate lying broken and bloodied at the bottom of some cavern stirred up those feelings that were starting to bloom thanks to her. I couldn't write it off as lust or being enthralled. If Garret had to face the truth, then so did I, especially with Healynas raising the stakes as he had.

She might be Fae, and the Fae might be our mortal enemies who’d destroyed everything that was once ours.

But she was now ours, as well.

I exchanged a glance with my brother that told me his thoughts traveled along the same lines as mine. We were sheltering and protecting a powerful Fae which could mean our destruction if Healynas or Jett got their hands on her.

Neither of them would. It was as simple as that.

I knelt beside her, taking her hands in mine. “Whatever it is you need, if I can provide it, I will. Even my life, if it means shielding yours.”

Garret joined us, crouching at her other side. “I feel the same. We'll get you through this. You don't have to face Jett alone.”

“I'm not going to face Jett alone because I'm not going to face him at all.” Her head snapped back and forth between us. “I'm not going to kill my brother. Healynas is wrong. Jett would never threaten me, and I know I would never threaten him. So whatever he thinks is going to happen isn't. Isn't there such a thing as free will anymore?”

Anger threatened to rear up inside me. I tamped it down, careful not to upset her as I had before. She might wander off again, and we might not get so lucky next time.

“You don't know what Jett has gone through since you've been separated or what ideas have been planted in his head. It would be wise to remain open to all possibilities and prepare as much as you can,” I said.

She withdrew her hands from mine and tucked them beneath her folded arms. “The only thing I need help with is training to prepare for these supposed tests Healynas is going to put me through, so I don't end up getting killed. Otherwise, I can handle my brother on my own.”

The three of us, Elliot included, exchanged troubled looks. It was clear Jaide wouldn’t accept anything she didn't want to believe. She would have to see it for herself.

And she would. I knew it.

But we would be by her side. I knew that, too.