“Stop being dramatic,” Wraith says.
“Like you wouldn’t freak out if Nadia was sick.” I scoff, eyeing him with annoyance.
“I’m scoping out locations to place your jar, not supervising her soul,” the reaper says, rolling his void-like eyes. “She’s healthy. I’m not even sensing an illness.”
“Then, why the fuck is she groggy and feverish?” Bane snarls, spinning in a circle with his hands linked behind his head.
“Who does the matebond belong to?” Meena asks.
“I swear to the Gods, if I have to say it one more time,” Bane growls. “She’s my mate!” His eyes glow yellowy-green, signaling his dragon is close to the surface.
“It’s partially formed.” Meena’s hands glow with her magic. “And I’m not disputing your connection with her, so calm yourself, dragon.”
“Eldritch bit her in the dream Malice arranged,” I say with wide eyes. “She didn’t have evidence of a claiming bite once she woke.”
“I’m going to kill that fucking wyvern,” Bane snarls.
“My Lord, you are a stubborn one.” Meena sighs. “That would help nothing.”
Wraith grabs Bane by the front of his shirt as the dragon tries to stomp toward the door. “Listen to what she’s saying.”
“It may be partially formed.” Meena turns to face the rest of us, raising her eyebrows. “But it exists.”
“Meaning, if you try to kill Eldritch, it will cause Charity physical pain,” I say to ensure the facts are making it through his exceptionally hard head.
“It’s probably time you three come to terms with the fact you’re stuck with each other.” Wraith pats Bane’s chest and disappears as the feral dragon takes a swipe at him with his claws. “I had a similar period of acceptance when it came to Echo and Ridge.” The reaper reappears across the room and stares at Meena. “What’s to be done?” He nods to Charity. “Will she get better on her own?”
“I’m honestly not sure,” Meena says, shrugging. “Perhaps bonding one of her other mates would help temper the symptoms? Truthfully, this isn’t something I’ve seen before. I’m afraid we’re all in uncharted territory.”
My eyes land on Bane. “That doesn’t mean you bite her while she’s incoherent.”
“No, I would not recommend doing that,” Meena says. “The last thing you want to do is risk a rejected bond.”
“She allowed the fucking wyvern to claim her, but you assume she’ll reject my bite?” Bane asks dubiously.
“You do have kind of a big personality.” I prepare to siphon if he makes a move for me. He continues to glare, like he can melt the skin from my bones, so I refocus on Meena. “Do you think this could be the beginning of her quickening?”
The old witch shoves her hair behind her ear, bending low to scent Charity. From what I understand, witches have senses of smell on par with humans.
“Perhaps.” Meena pulls the sheet back from Charity. Her hands glow as she slowly moves over Charity’s sleeping form. “You know what? I think you might be right. We always assumed she didn’t have enough fae blood to activate that piece of her genetics.” She shakes out her hands, pulling the sheet and blanket back up. “But she has three mates. That tells me there’s more to her than meets the eye. The half-formed matebond may have jump-started the fae side of her reproduction.”
“In the meantime, what are we meant to do?” I study Charity as she begins to groan and writhe around the mattress.
“Well,” Meena says, smiling slyly. “The first step I would focus on would be finding someone to keep Veryn for a few days. The quickening is very similar to what female shifters experience during a heat.”
Wraith’s entire face twists in horror. “I would like to return home now.”
“I suppose we could ask Mrs. Segar or Aline to keep him, if that’s what this really is.” Bane scratches his jaw.
“If you can’t find someone, call me in the morning.” Meena smiles softly. “I’ll see if I can snag Ember from Emerson for a day or two. They play well together.”
“Thank you.” I bow my head.
“If things take a turn for the worse or different symptoms pop up, you know where to find me.” Meena wipes her hands off on her dress. “I’m ready when you are.”
Wraith siphons to Meena, and they both disappear in the blink of an eye.
Chapter Eight