Page 68 of Pain

A niggling voice in my head said, “Because it’s poison, bitch.” But then Shoy and Vip both took sips of theirs and I relaxed.

“It’s blankberry leaf tea with skivern syrup,” Vip said. “I make it myself.”

I glanced down at the pretty pink liquid in my mug. “But I’ve had blank berries. They taste like nothing.”

“The berries taste like nothing, but the leaves are where the majority of the flavor is. You have to steep them though, otherwise they’re toxic.”

“Of course they are.” I took another sip. “And skivern syrup?”

“Skiverns are like bees on Earth. Only much larger. The syrup is similar to Earth honey. It’s not as sweet though.” Vip took another sip. “And the skiverns put up a real fight when you try to harvest it.”

“Do they have stingers?” I asked.

“One on every leg,” she confirmed. “I have to wear a special suit to collect the syrup, otherwise I’ll swell right up from all the stings. Their eggs are encased in a tasteless slime that temporarily paralyzes anybody who ingests it. And mixed with the syrup, it puts a person—or animal—to sleep.” Her eyes went wide in terror for a moment. “I didn’t put any of the slime in the tea. I’m sorry if I spooked you with that comment. I didn’t mean to.”

I chuckled. “I mean, I thought maybe for a half-second, particularly since you brought up the slime and paralysis and all that, but I believe you.” I took another sip, allowing the warm, delicious elixir to sit on my tongue a moment longer. “And also, it’s delicious. So if it puts me to sleep for a bit, it’ll be worth it.”

Her eyes warmed at my compliment. Then she shared a warm look with her husband. “We’re so honored to have you in our home, Your Majesty.” She faced me again. “And to know that King Donovar didn’t leave this world without a worthy heir.”

I dropped my gaze down to the half-full contents of my mug, not used tosuch praise—especially from demons.

That seemed to make Shoy chuckle. “Your father was an unusual demon.”

My eyes popped up to his. I was eager to know whatever I could about my dad.

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “If you haven’t noticed, demons can be … rude, for lack of a better term. Abrupt. Distant. Suspicious.”

My mouth twitched. “I may have come across a few like that.”

My hosts snickered.

“Well, Donovar was never like that,” Vip added. “He was always so gracious. So polite and kind. It threw a lot of us off at first, but then when we saw how much good he was doing in the Realm, how hard he was trying to restore peace, we realized just what a kind soul he was. How pure his intentions were.”

“We’re still suspicious by nature, but we try to live our lives the way Donovar did. With kindness leading the way.” Shoy took a sip from his mug. “Your politeness outside reminded me of him, and it also reminded me to let kindness lead the way.”

Those darn tears were back, and I sniffed and laughed as I wiped beneath my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I blubbered. “It’s just been a crazy day.” I tossed my head back and laughed humorlessly. “It’s been a crazy few weeks. And hearing about my father—a man I never met—and how good he was just … well, it makes all of this insanity feel a heck of a lot more worth it.”

“You should rest,” Vip said, taking my mug from my hands after I drained it. “Shower if you’d like. I have some spare clothes you can wear.”

My chest rattled as stuttered breaths fled my lungs. “Thank you.” I glanced at Shoy. “Both of you. For everything.” Then I tugged Vip into a hug, crushing her delicate frame to mine and shaking against her stunned, stiff body as the sobs took over.

Eventually, she relaxed and hugged me back, shushing me and cooing soft words of comfort.

“Come now,” she said after a moment, breaking the embrace. “It will seem less impossible in the morning, I promise. Your mates will find you and we will get you back to Kenvin. Shoy can drive you to town if you’d like.”

Shoy nodded. “I head there once a week, and I am due to go.”

“Thank you,” I croaked.

Vip nodded and her hand fell to the small of my back, encouraging me to turn toward the bedrooms. “Off to the bathroom with you. A shower will feel good. I’ll go find you something to wear.”

She left me in the washroom and I closed the door, stripped, and turned on the water. Just like at Kenvin’s, the water smelled of sulfur. But I didn’t care. It felt good against my dust-covered skin, washing away the debris of the day. I thought for sure I’d cried all the tears my body had, but apparently not, and fresh ones fell with abandon, getting lost down the drain with the red-hued water from all the dust leaving my body.

Two pieces of my heart were lost in the desert, in danger. Did a mate feel it when their mate died? Would they know in their souls that I was still alive? Surely, they must. Vip and Shoy seemed convinced that they’d be able to track my scent, and that had to work either way. Whether I was dead or alive.

Even though I still didn’t know how all of this magic worked, I could feel it in every cell of my body that Maxar and Zandren were still alive. We were too far away for me to feel their emotions though. Or maybe we hadn’t been mate-bonded long enough, and that would come with time. Either way, all I knew was that they were still out there, and I had to hold on to that, otherwise I’d go crazy.

I turned off the water in the shower and opened up the tile door, wrapping a towel around my body and one around my hair. A pair of comfy looking gray sweatpants and a black tank top sat on the counter, and once I was dry, I pulled them on, grateful for clean clothes.

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