Page 88 of Degradation

“She’s resting in her room,”Philip said, entering the sitting room. “Do you still plan to seek out others?”

Liam had put an end to the night’s progress and sent Getaina to sleep in a guest room with the promise that I would wake her once I’d rested—a promise he’d given without consulting with me. But I’d been too focused on controlling my need to vomit to argue with him. Thankfully, that had eased with the healing tea I’d brewed for myself—not the headache, though.

“I would like to put it to a vote,” Eadric said.

Feeling their collective worry, I waved away his suggestion.

“I already know you lot are against it, and my head aches too much to uselessly argue whether or not I can take any more knowledge without rest. So take me to bed, but know that the queen is actively with your brothers, attempting to seduce them while I sleep to ease your worries.”

“Unfair, Love,” Liam said softly.

“That’s life, isn’t it?”

“She's beginning to sound like them,” Eadric said. “Getaina warned this may happen.”

“To bed, then,” Daemon said, plucking me off my chair.

I settled against his chest and struggled not to give in to the irritation clawing at me. Too many thoughts rattled around in my pain-filled head. Getaina had warned me of the dangers but hadn’t stopped me from consuming the knowledge of her peers, one after another. No, rather than dissuade me, I’d felt her curiosity. She wanted to know my limit. And each person from which I’d learned had added to her growing hope that I could one day be strong enough to face the queen.

However, we didn’t have time for “one day.”

Opening myself, I reached for their desire.

“Be careful, Snow,” Garron said softly, proving that he felt me.

As their desire flooded me, I felt Edmund. He was sleeping. Yet, even in his sleep, he responded to me. His yearning was bittersweet.

Brandle’s desire evaded me, however. Regardless of where I searched for him, he wasn’t there.

“Lamb?” Daemon called.

I realized I was gripping his shoulder tightly and loosened my hold, but not my reach for their desire. I pulled harder.

Daemon stumbled a step, and Darian was there to steady us. Garron cleared his throat twice.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I can’t feel Brandle,” I said, fighting against my panic.

“It’s okay, Sparrow,” Eadric said. “It’ll be okay.”

But it wasn’t. Where Brandle should have been was an empty void. I couldn’t feel him. He was gone.

Panic boiled inside. Pulsing. Demanding to run wild.

Hands cupped my face, tapping my cheeks, demanding a response I couldn’t give. Where had Brandle gone?

In frantic silence, I pleaded for an answer and let my desperation free.

A mouth closed over mine, kissing me hungrily. The floor rumbled beneath our feet.

“Daemon, stop.”

Our teeth clacked together when one of the others cuffed him. A moment later, I was stolen from his arms and pinned in Eadric’s tight embrace.

“Don’t lose control,” he pleaded. “We cannot lose you too.”

Garron hugged us from behind. Then Liam, Daemon, and Darian joined the hug. I felt their love wrapping me in a cocoon of protection.

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