Page 142 of Oath of Revenge

Bella snorted and her hand dropped to her side. “That’s to be debated. There’s an evil wizard taking up residence in my body at the moment.” She indicated herself with a wave of her hand. “This is what’s left of me.”

Knox’s lips pursed as he nodded sagely. “Well, Eirwyn will be glad to hear you’re not completely dead. She’s been anxious about you.”

Bella’s shoulders slumped and her eyes teared up. The debris around her on the floor shook slightly as she breathed deeply to get her emotions under control. Wulfric’s fingers twitched to hold her.

Scarlet interjected. “The wizard was here and tried to trap Bella in a mirror. We need to get out of here before he realizes she’s not trapped, but Wulfric’s still healing. Did Grandma send a healing potion? Can you fly him to Hartsgrove? I’ll bring the horses and Bella.”

Knox nodded and handed Scarlet a small pouch. She took it and came closer, her eyes widening when she saw him looking up at her. She dropped to her knees, her hand hovering above him as she whispered, “Wulfric.” It was a sigh, a prayer of thanksgiving.

He smiled weakly and said, “Bunny.”

She wiped the corner of her eye furiously and cleared her throat. Opening the pouch, she said matter-of-factly, “I told you my plan was the only one that might work, didn’t I? And we’re all going to be fine.”

He snorted, wincing as the movement sent pain through him. “Aye, I’m happy to not be trapped, but damn if this doesn’t hurt.”

She gently lifted his head as she popped the cork on the vial. “Well, take this. You better survive the journey back to Hartsgrove. If anything happens to you…”

She trailed off as he drank the spicy mixture. His throat burned and his eyes watered as he swallowed.

“There, you’ll be good as new by the time I get there.”

He choked out, “All of us should go with Knox. I don’t want to leave you.”

Her eyes watered, and she dropped the empty vial to cup his cheek. “I know you don’t. But this is the only way that will work. Knox can’t carry us all, and we need to get out of here as fast as possible.”

“How long does that potion take? I want to get home,” Knox said, stepping closer.

Bella cleared her throat. “A healing potion of that power should take about ten to fifteen minutes and last maybe an hour.”

Wulfric grinned. “You always were so good at healing. Lailant always said so.”

Bella blushed, and Scarlet brushed the hair out of his eyes. She stood up with a sigh, saying, “Right, well that’ll give us time to get the litter upstairs and load him on it. I made it out of two lances and a sheet, so it should hold while you fly...”

Knox followed her out of the ballroom, their steps echoing in the quiet, empty castle as their voices faded. The once lively and bustling castle now felt quiet and empty, a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. He couldn’t shake the guilt and worry for his daughter gnawing at his heart as he was gently placed onto the litter, every movement causing searing pain. His shoulder felt like it was still out of socket, and his side hurt worse than any of his alpha challenges.

Wulfric’s vision swam and his stomach rebelled as Knox and Scarlet hauled him slowly to the terrace. Bella hovered, and the way she helplessly wrung her hands made his heart ache. He couldn’t ignore the fact that he was now at the mercy of a wizard who had caused so much harm to those he loved. And worst of all, he couldn’t even hold Bella in his arms to comfort her. He kept his gaze locked on her translucent form to distract himself from the nausea.

Knox rippled as he grew, transforming into his dragon self. Bella jumped out of the way with a gasp. He would have to find a way to confront the wizard and protect his family once he was healed.

But for now, all he could do was watch as Bella struggled with her own inner turmoil. She may not have a physical body, but her emotions were still evident on her face—fear, sadness, and a haunting memory replaying in her mind. Wulfric reached out to try and calm her, but she was too far away, and translucent besides.

Determined to help, he said softly, “Bella, it’s alright. He’s not going to hurt you.” She looked just like she had after her mother died, scared and afraid. He couldn’t smell her emotions, probably due to her not having a body, but he could see it on her face.

He waved his hand, making her look at him. She took a deep breath, her eyes watering. “I know that. Scarlet explained earlier that he’s Eirwyn’s mate and one true love. But I keep seeing that fight on the roof between the dragon and Gastone. It’s on repeat in my mind.”

All events that occurred because of the fucking wizard. As she looked at him with tears in her eyes, he knew that their fight was far from over.

Wulfric held his side, pressing against the bandaged wound. “I’m sorry, little girl. I should’ve been here. You never should’ve been in that position.”

Bella stiffened and shook her head. The self-recrimination on her face made her look like him, not her mother. “Like I said. It’s all water under the bridge now. We can’t change the past, no matter how much we wish otherwise.”

Wulfric reached for her, saying, “Maybe we can change the future though. I’d like to be a part of your present and your future. I’m not leaving you again, little girl.”

Bella chuckled and shook her head. “You have to survive the journey into the woods first, old man. Now close your eyes and be still or I might accidentally turn you into a couch.”

He grinned and watched her with pride as her fingers flew. She whispered a spell, and the litter lifted into the air. Wulfric closed his eyes against the nausea and pain, the dizziness not stopping even as he was set on the back of the dragon between the wings.

Scarlet wove the tassels from the curtains around him and Knox, lashing them together. “You better not drop him, Knox, or I’ll never forgive you.”

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