Page 55 of Chosen By the Fae King

I knew words were being said, Nox shouting orders. Black smoke clouded my vision. No, not smoke. Shadows.

Then harsh light forced my eyes shut. Nox lowered his forehead to mine. His chest vibrated as he said something in another language.

Then he howled, “Sage!”

The name echoed through the exam room. A door slammed against the wall and his sister came running through in a panic.

“Oh shit, Nox. What happened?”

“Fix. Her.” Each word was punctuated with a menacing step towards the healer. “Now.”

“What. Happened?” she punctuated just as menacingly.

I shivered as a chill ran down my spine, remnants of the wraith's frozen touch still lingering within my bones. His hold tightened.

“Wraith. It pulled her into the water.”

“Put her on the table so I can take a look.”

Gently, he did as instructed. With another growl, Nox pulled shadows into him.

“Where are you going?” Sage demanded.

“We've had two breaches. It's not a coincidence they happened while the trials are getting started. I'm going hunting.”

Briefly, he paused to spear me with those stormy eyes. “Fix her before I return.”

Nox disappeared and Sage rolled her eyes. “And he thinks everyone else is dramatic.”

Her hands hovered up and down, from my head to my toes. Her nose wrinkled.

“Well, your ankle's a right mess and your temperature is so low your heart is having trouble pumping. Any chance you came into contact with a shit ton of ice?”

“F-frost ma-gic.”

“That explains it. You pissed off a powerful fae.”

“No. Sh-she saved m-me.”

“Ah. Well, let's get you fixed before my brother has me chained and flogged, shall we?”

Sage's cool hands slid over my skin as she worked, knitting me back together with threads of power. The sharp ache in my chest eased, replaced by a bone-deep weariness. My eyelids drooped, too heavy to remain open.

A blanket was draped over me, soft as a cloud. I tried to stay awake, to be alert enough to keep up with whatever was going on.

“Rest now,” Sage whispered. “You will heal, but you must allow your body to recover.”

I wanted to protest, to stand on my own two feet out of sheer stubbornness. But even that small act seemed beyond my capabilities. Darkness crept into the edges of my vision, blurring the lines of the room.

When I next opened my eyes, pale moonlight filtered through the windows. I was tucked into my own bed, the familiar scents of jasmine and nutmeg wrapping around me like a comforting embrace.

Sofiya and Raina had been here.

A dark figure took shape at the foot of the bed. I recognized the quiet grace in the intruder's movements, the subtle scent of leather and spice.

Nox.

I didn't have the energy to face him. I kept my breathing slow and even, feigning sleep.

---