Page 37 of Gift from the Nexus

Just like when Dyce gave me his last one, the liquified miracle travels through my bloodstream before I fully drink it down and the amazing sensation intensifies when Tillman’s magic joins in, gliding across my body, clothing me in a soft robe that doesn’t pull or rub my wounds at all.

I try to not fall into a false sense of strength when the healing tonic settles because despite knowing I’m not healed, I feel like I could move a mountain compared to how I felt ten minutes ago.

“Did we lose anyone? What about the academy?” I ask rapidly.

Now that Draken isn’t standing directly in front of me, the death I see is almost overwhelming. There’re so many bodies, I can’t tell if any of them are hostages, E.F. members, any of our friends. I couldn’t care less about the Mastery members, but the thought of anyone on our side laying down their life for me today doesn’t sit right.

“No, we didn’t lose anyone here. Don’t worry about the academy right now. We took care of it as much as possible before we came, and Gaster is taking care of the rest. I need to organize the palace teams to move the hostages and your father—”

“Franklin.” I growl unintentionally. Me nor my dragon can tolerate that title being attached to him any longer.

“Franklin. We need to get him moved and secured. Then get you home,” Tillman continues, not missing a beat after my interruption.

“Did Aria come with Lyker?” I ask.

“They’re at the structure with Corentin and the palace team. We’ll ask her to weave her rune around his mind,” he says, answering my next thought.

Taking my first step in the direction of the structure, the three of them each take a step closer to me, and I know they’re all about to attempt to carry me. As much as I’d love that, I’d eat it up any other time, I can’t right now and I don’t want to explain to them here in the open why that is.

“Please let me do it on my own. For now,” I whisper.

There’s only a beat of silence before Draken steps to my side, linking his fingers with mine, and gives me an understanding nod. Followed by a cold hand wrapping around the other and I feel tendrils of shadows coiling around the both of us.

“Anything you need, Primary,” Caspian states, unwavering, standing tall at my side.

His recognition flows through me, and I’m grateful he completely understands without me saying anything more. There’s nothing worse than going through something like this, then having everyone around you stare at you in pity.

“What happened to the hostages that were outside?” I ask as we make our way to the structure.

“When we broke through the ward, the Mastery left them standing there right in the line of fire. I sent three palace teamsto retrieve them and start transporting them out. This group…it’s not looking good,” Tillman says solemnly.

I believe that just based on how they all were when I arrived. Their prone forms lying there, unmoving as we walked by, worried me and made my mind conjure up the worst things imaginable.

“Fortune teller.”

I’m shocked frozen momentarily as Lyker wraps me up in a gentle hug, his muscles trembling around me, making my whole body vibrate. The embrace is awkward, not because it’s him hugging me, but because neither Draken nor Caspian will let my hands go so all I can do is stand here.

“That’s enough.” Draken growls, giving Lyker a shove that may or may not cause a small twitch in my lips.

“I’m sorry, Willow,” Lyker says, ignoring my growly mate.

“What are you sorry for?” I ask, cocking my head to the side curiously.

“The vampire got away. I got distracted by Mr. Vito’s Tasmonium, but I swear to you, we’ll find him.”

“I’m sorry, his what?” I know he’s talking about Dyce’s form, but I have no clue what that is.

“I’m a little ol’ mixed mutt, my favorite daughter-in-law. A cross somewhere between a Tasmanian tiger, jackal, and demon, sprinkle in some magic and wa-la you have me. And I told you, Lyker, it’s just Dyce.” Dyce comes around the corner announcing excitedly, bebopping like he just finished playing his favorite game.

His happy-go-lucky attitude mixed with the crazed energy around him reminds me so much of Draken, there’s no denying he had a large part in raising him when the guys’ Nexus bond snapped into place. The mischievous gleam in his eye screams Caspian, and I know instantly who the troublemaker amongst my Patera-Nexus is.

If Corentin hadn’t explained to me how DNA works for true Nexuses, you wouldn’t be able to convince me there’s any sort of relation between them, other than the whiskey eyes, that are much, much lighter in Dyce than his sons.

“She’s your only daughter-in-law, Dad,” Caspian comments literally.

“That’s why she is and always will be my favorite.”

My chest swells with his easy acceptance of me, and the rush of feeling like being a part of a family sends feverish love spreading everywhere within me, but it’s quickly doused out when I remember the rapist sperm donor of mine, lying somewhere outside restrained.

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