Page 20 of Dead

Chapter Five

Adriel awoke to the gentle hum of machines. He lifted his head from the bed and saw his hand still wrapped around Eilam’s. Sitting up straighter in the hospital chair, he saw that Noah was no longer linked to the machine and was now dozing lightly in the chair on the other side of the bed, his hand still entwined with his brother bear’s.

Eilam’s eyes were closed, but Adriel noted a little more color in the man’s face. He was no longer as white as the sheets he slept in.

A nurse came into the room and checked the machines. Adriel sensed the power in her and knew her to be one of his kind. A witch.

“How is he?”

“He’s gaining strength, Your Majesty. It appears the transfusion helped.”

Adriel lifted a hand and wiped the sleep from his eyes. “Good news, indeed.”

“It is,” the nurse finished her checks before turning to him. “Is there anything I can get for you, Your Majesty?”

“No, thank you,” he murmured before she smiled and left the room.

The witch waved a hand and the lights lowered slightly before she bowed and exited the room.

Once they were alone again, Adriel took the opportunity to look over both shifters. They were huge—both well over six feet and muscled all over. They dwarfed his five foot six frame and took up too much space in the room.

Yet he’d never felt safer than inside that little room with them.

Both were dark haired and handsome. Eilam had a stately, almost regal look to his face—especially now in slumber. At least now there was no anger in the lines of Eilam’s face. That anger was too familiar these days. They had argued too much… the desire they had morphing into something ugly. He hated it, even more now.

He allowed his gaze to travel over every inch of the man’s face before turning to his brother bear and doing the same. Noah was dark and brooding, with a little danger in his look.

Together, they were even more dangerous. He’d felt it the second Noah had walked into the room. The lust he felt for Eilam had doubled in an instant.

Fortunately, the fear he had for Eilam’s survival had been stronger.

He rose to his feet and stretched his body before heading for the door.

“Leaving?”

Adriel turned to see Noah’s eyes barely open. How long has he been awake? Did he see me staring at him? Embarrassment wasn’t an emotion he had much familiarity with, and it threw him off guard.

“Just checking in with my guardsmen,” he answered before opening the door.

Apparently, a changing of the guard had taken place as he slept. Garretson and Cannon now stood on either side of the doorway, not Kaeso and Ruger.

“Your Majesty,” Garretson murmured before both men bowed. After they rose, Garretson asked, “How is Eilam?”

“Improving, but he still hasn’t awakened. I plan to remain here until he does.”

Garretson nodded. “We will be here to protect you, sire.”

“Is there any news on who the attacker was?” Adriel asked.

“Theis and Valen notified us they’re on the way. They have information on that front to share with you,” Garretson answered.

“Good. Send them in as soon as they arrive. I want to know who attacked us.”

He returned to the room, his gaze washing over both men. Eilam still slept as Noah stared back.

“Any news?”

“Two of my guards are on their way with information. I’ve asked that they be sent right in to share it.”

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