Page 12 of Pain

I nodded. “It means the magic is working.”

“Shouldn’t we see improvement if the magic is working?” She blinked big, innocent green eyes up at me.

“Because she’s human, magic will take longer to heal her than it would you or me. So the fact that her condition hasn’t worsened means the magic is fighting to get the upper hand.” Worry painted every pretty inch of her face. Gemma was the most important person in the world to Omaera, and even though Gemma wasn’t my mate, I’d do whatever I could to keep Gemma safe. Because I knew if she didn’t live, neither would my mate. “You need to have faith. Melissima knows what she’s doing. We just need to be patient.”

Nodding, but convinced, she sat up and gently peeked under my dressings to check on things. Her eyes went buggy. “You’re almost completely healed.”

“Sex magic hasgreathealing powers.” I winked and motioned for her to climb off the bed. “In fact, I think I’m well enough to get up. I really need to piss anyway.” She slid off the bed and stood up, and with a grunt fit for an oldgoat, I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

It was sweet when she thought she needed to support me, and even though I didn’t need any help to make my way to the door, I let her wrap an arm around my waist and guide me down the hall to the bathroom. Any excuse to touch my mate, even if it wasn’t necessary.

“I’ll meet you in the living room,” I said, pressing another kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be okay.”

“You’re sure?”

She got another wink and a nod from me, which seemed to placate her enough that she let go so I could close the door.

I did what I needed to do in the bathroom, forgoing a shower for now. Then made my way to the living room and dining room where the bear’s deep rumble competed with the broody murmur of the vampire. They were arguing—again.

“We need to stop reacting,” Drak argued from where he sat at the kitchen table sawing into a steak with a side of steamed spinach. “He lured us to him when he kidnapped Gemma. So we need to take a page out of his book and do the same. Lure him to us.”

“We’re not using Omaera as bait,” Zandren said, pushing away from the table and the empty plate in front of him. He crossed his enormous arms over his chest. “I still say we employ another hunter-mage and ambush Lerris.”

“We don’t even know where to look for him.” Drak shook his head. “It’d be a wild goose chase, and I doubt Omaera wants to be traipsing all over the world hunting her psychotic demon uncle.” He appealed to the Queen, who cradled a mug of something steaming in front of her as she sat curled up on the couch, watching their argument with mild irritation.

Never one to be shy about anything, I jumped right in. “What would ourqueenlike to do? Rather than speakforher, how about we ask her?” I glanced at my mate, unable to miss the amused tip of her lips on one side. “What say you, Your Majesty? Lure or hunt?”

She mouthed a silent, “Thank you.” Which just made my heart soar. My dick might have twitched a little too when her lips puckered on the last word. Last night had been all about her—kind of. My pleasure wasn’t even in the equation.I wanted my queen, my mate, my everything, to feel good. I needed to take away some of what bothered and ailed her, even if just temporarily.

I mean, sure, it healed me too. Sex was magical. But even if I was still dragging my entrails around behind me like a conga line of balloon animals, I would have done exactly what we did last night.

My balls were a bit achy now though. Not going to lie. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t deal with.

Drak and Zandren focused their attention on Omaera, waiting for her answer. I wandered into the kitchen where Melissima had a spread of food out for breakfast. It was like we were at a bed-and-breakfast, not a healer-mage’s cottage hiding from murderous demons. I filled up a plate with pastries, fruit, and some bacon. Then I grabbed a coffee before choosing to sit on the couch with my queen, rather than at the kitchen table with the two buffoons.

“Ifwe lure him, how do we do that? How do you trap a demon?” Omaera finally asked, having mulled both options over in her mind for a hot minute, keeping everyone in suspense with her silence.

“I’d just like to add,” Melissima interjected, holding up a pale, slender finger from where she sat at the head of the dining room table, “that while Omaera is a strong demon, her powers are still in their infancy. She needs to practice them now more than ever. Who knows who Lerris has rallied to his cause, and how powerful they are. You were able to get away from them this time, but now he knows she has three mates, and that she is a powerful demon—a demon who will only becomemorepowerful with each mate she bonds with. He’s not going to go in so disarmed next time.”

Drak’s head bobbed. “I agree. We need to find her another trainer.”

“How can we find a demon that weknowwe can trust?” Omaera asked. “I’m always going to be suspicious that they’re racist and secretly working for my uncle. Raewyn nearly killed Gemma—and me. I’m not risking that again.”

“The only one who can truly help you trap a demon is another demon,” Drak said solemnly. “I know it’s a risk, but we need to find a demon who can train you and help us set a trap for Lerris.”

“I don’t like the idea of using my mate as bait,” Zandren grumbled,getting up from his spot at the table and taking his dishes to the dishwasher in the kitchen. Then he made a small show of crossing the room—though somebody that large can’t make a small show of anything—and squeezing into the couch on the other side of Omaera. The brow lift he tossed at me in challenge simply set my eyes rolling in amusement.

“I’d rather me as bait than Gemma,” Omaera said, glancing at him as he wrapped an arm around the back of the couch behind her. “I don’t want her anywhere near this.”

“She will probably have to stay here for quite some time,” Melissima said. “There is much to repair. And my home is safe. There are shields everywhere. They couldn’t find Gemma if they tried with the best hunter-mages alive.”

I believed her, but I could tell Omaera was still skeptical.

Omaera turned to Zandren. “Do you think your father might have some suggestions?” She shrugged. “I’m just … grasping here. Maybe he knows of a demon from way back when that he trusts?” Her gaze swiveled to Drak. “Considering who King Howar recommended turned out to be a bigoted racist with a homicidal streak.”

I snorted.

Drak’s nostrils flared.

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