Page 192 of Blood Feast

His hands came away from her stained with blood again. Moving her had reopened the wound. “What can I do for her?”

Cassia hovered just beyond the fire’s reach with a staying hand on Knight. His hackles were still up. “I’ll get us some supplies.”

She left, taking Knight with her. Lio sat on the floor with his back against the hearth stones and the dog’s head on his lap. Her heartbeat filled the emptiness in his mind.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” he whispered, wondering if his promise was empty, too.

He gave her more of his blood while he waited for Cassia. When she returned, she set clean rags, water, and a pestle full of herbs within his reach, then retreated to sit with Knight several paces away.

“I prepared some healing plants in the Changing Queen’s alchemy room. This mixture always helps Knight when he’s injured. You can put it under her bandages.”

Working the soaked bandage carefully off the dog’s side, Lio paused and looked at her. “Thank you, Cassia.”

“I’ve known her for minutes, and I already adore her. Knight will, too, once he grows accustomed to the idea that there’s one more member of our pack.”

Lio let himself believe her reassurances that his familiar would live long enough for Knight’s reaction to matter.

Once he finished changing the bandage on the dog’s back, he gave her yet another dose of his blood. He saw no sign it was hurting her, at least. He could only hope it would stop the bleeding again.

“Try to get some water into her,” Cassia said. “Even little sips will help. If she tolerates that, we can try some morsels of meat next.”

Twilight brightened beyond the clerestory windows while Lio worked tiny swallows of water into the dog’s mouth. Cassia’s presence abided with him. His eyelids grew heavier as the last hour of the night slipped away. He forced his eyes open with a sudden burst of anger.

“Lio.”

At Cassia’s quite voice, he looked up from the hound. His Grace was within arm’s reach now. She must have been working her way gradually nearer for the last hour. Knight lay on a fur on the other side of the pool of firelight. But closer than before. Lio lifted his arm.

Cassia slid under it and leaned against his side. “We can give her some meat tomorrow.”

“What if she dies in our Slumber?” he whispered.

Cassia ran her hand down his chest. “Hespera’s healing will fight for her while we can’t.”

He found no comfort in those words. He felt so helpless. Where had Hespera’s healing been tonight?

She stroked his hair back from his face, her fingers gentle on his brow. “I know, my mind mage.”

His throat closed. A sob wanted out of him, but couldn’t escape. Weeping was useless. His power was useless.

“It’s not,” Cassia said fiercely. “You saved them at Mederi. You gave them more time. That time means so much to mortals.”

She stroked his face until they fell into Slumber in each other’s arms.

41

Nights After

WINTER SOLSTICE

DAME

The dog’s heart wasstill beating when Lio woke from his day terrors. She stirred a little on his lap and let out a faint whine. Mustering his thoughts and magic, he slid her into painless sleep once again.

When Cassia woke, her embrace told him she had seen his dreams. She kissed him gently, as if he might break.

“I’ll feed Knight and bring back some meat for her, too.”

He gave his familiar more blood. More water. He tried to keep track of time. Time was important. But he wasn’t sure how much went by before Cassia returned.

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