Page 115 of Elora and the Crow

She practically ran to the front door and yanked it open. Her smile faded as she stared at Nimera. The fae’s face was pale, her eyes were swollen and red rimmed, and she looked like she was about to vomit into the front flower bed.

“Nimera?” Elora took her hands as the fae stepped into the house. “Are you okay?”

Her lips trembling, Nimera shook her head. Elora led her into the kitchen, giving the others a worried look as she helped Nimera onto a stool. “Cece, is the tea ready?”

Cece placed a steaming mug of tea in front of Nimera, who stared blankly at it.

“Nimera, drink the tea,” Elora urged.

Nimera took a couple of sips, and Elora’s dread grew when tears slipped down her face to splash into the hot liquid.

“What’s wrong?” Elora asked.

“The fae aren’t going to help,” Jonah said.

Nimera started to cry in earnest, and Elora slipped her arm around the fae’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Nimera.”

“It isn’t!” she sobbed. “Jonah is right. My family is… they’re refusing to help. They said I should forget about Caleb, that he was only human and that I could find a fae husband who wouldn’t be too upset at having to raise a half-fae.”

Anger filled her face, turning her pale skin a bright red. “They honestly thought I would just forget about Caleb, about how much I love him.”

She turned to Elora. “I begged them to help, and they still refused. Why would they do that? Why would my family refuse to help the man I love?”

“Because he’s human,” Jonah said.

“I left them,” Nimera whispered, her hand cupping her round stomach. “I packed a suitcase, and I left. I won’t go back there, and now I’m… I’m homeless.”

She made a sound that was half-laugh and half-hiccup. Elora glanced at Jonah, who said, “You’re not homeless, Nimera. You can stay here for as long as you need to.”

She stared at him, her eyes bright with tears. “Why would you do that for me? I just told you my kind refuses to help save Caleb.”

“Because Caleb loves you, and I know you love him,” Jonah said. “You’re my family now, too.”

Nimera started to cry again, and she reached out to take Jonah’s hand. “I’m so sorry they won’t help.”

Elora kissed the top of her head. “You aren’t responsible for your family’s choices.”

Nimera took a deep breath and a fortifying sip of tea. “I believe the three of us can save Caleb. I have to believe it.”

Elora and Jonah both shook their heads, and Jonah said, “You’re not coming with us, Nimera.”

She glared at him. “He’s my mate, Jonah. I won’t leave him to -”

“You’re carrying his baby, and Caleb will kill me if I let you come with us,” Jonah said. “Your priority is keeping yourself and the baby safe until Caleb comes home.”

“I’m going,” Nimera said.

“You’re not,” Elora said gently. “I know you want to help Caleb, but your magic isn’t strong enough. This witch is powerful. You know that. You saw it for yourself.”

Nimera started to cry again. “I love him so much, Elora. I just want him back.”

“I know, and we will bring him back to you. I promise,” Elora said with a certainty she didn’t feel.

Bren pulled his phone from his pocket and slid off the stool. He headed out of the kitchen, and Elora said, “Bren, what are you doing?”

“I need to make a few calls,” he said.

CHAPTER37

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