Page 6 of Hers to Keep

He offered her an easy smile when she shot him a quizzical look.“I can smell him on you.”

“He’s a dragon, I guess.”

His eyebrows rose.“Wow.I guess that’s why he smells like a campfire.”

“Does he?”

“He does to me.”They arrived at the door at the end of the hall and Mari knocked.

The man that answered the door was tall and broad, his skin a warm mahogany tone.Only one of the twins had a tightly trimmed goatee—Clarion.

“Clar,” Rio said with a nod of greeting.“How is he?”

“He hasn’t woken up yet.We’re taking turns lying with him.”He looked over the tray of food and a ravenous look came over his face, followed quickly by indecision.

“I can check up on him if you like,” Mari offered.“Healing-wise, I mean.”

After a few more seconds of consideration, he stepped back, opening the door.The suite within was lavishly appointed in the blue and gold color scheme her father had so favored, with ornate furnishings and expensive works of art.She tried to block that out as she entered.Rio set the tray down on a low table.

Clarion led her to the bedroom and opened the door silently.Inside, it was very dim.Halcyon laid on the bed facing the other occupant, who Mari had only seen briefly the night before—the phoenix who had been Rio’s best friend, Tristan.

Tristan was blond and lovely even in his repose, with strong features and the physique of a fighter.Halcyon rested with one hand over Tristan’s heart and his face tucked into Tristan’s shoulder.

Mari crossed the room slowly, while Rio waited at the door.Clarion shadowed her as she approached, clearly not trusting her.She sat lightly on the opposite side of the bed from where Halcyon lay.His eyes glowed menacingly red as he watched her every movement for any threat to his mate.

She knew a little about how mated hellhounds behaved—viciously protective and loyal.But she had to keep in mind that these two had had their mating instincts thwarted for months.Just another facet of the casual cruelty that Vincent had doled out before she had ended him.

She reached for Tristan’s hand slowly, pausing when a tickle of a growl emanated from Halcyon, and only continuing when he quieted again.He was warm to the touch, but not in a way that spoke of infection.It was probably just his nature as a phoenix to run a little hot.She let her magic move gently through him, trying not to disturb him.

“He doesn’t have any wounds that I can feel, and he’s not in any pain.”She didn’t think there was anything wrong with him, or that there was any toxin remaining in his body.If she hadn’t known any better, she would have said he was just asleep.

“He feels empty,” Halcyon said, his voice rough.

She glanced toward Clarion for an explanation.

“We should be able to feel something from him because of the mating bond, but there’s nothing.”

“Well, chances are the bond never had a chance to form properly,” Rio said from the doorway.“You weren’t allowed to touch him, right?”

Clarion nodded.“Vincent kept him locked away from us.He was dangled like a treat.We were only able to even see him when we did something worth rewarding, and we were never allowed to touch him at all.”

Rio frowned in sympathy.Those months had to have been so difficult for the two of them.“So, in addition to whatever the drugging was doing to him, the bond was never properly settled.”

“I think he just needs time,” Mari said, after the silence in the room grew heavy.She looked between the hellhounds, wishing there was something more she could do.The memory of what the goddess had said to Luis lingered.“His body is healed, but his heart isn’t.Only the two of you can do that part.”

“Just keep holding him,” Rio said, as she got up and crossed the room to him.“And eat something.I’ll come back to pick up the tray in a bit.”He placed his hand on the small of her back and walked her out of the suite.

Chapter 3

Mariwentbacktoher room and got dressed, putting on whatever Rio handed her without looking at it—joggers, a T-shirt, and flipflops.Saints, she was so fucking tired.This day had gone on for a week already.At least her magic was sort of back?

“You’re lucky Cisco didn’t see you walking around half naked,” he murmured, hugging her around the hips and pulling her back against him after she’d changed.“That one might have actually been worth a spanking.”

She leaned into Rio and smiled absently.“Maybe I need some growly discipline to get me out of this funk.”She definitely needed something.How was she going to make it through her training with Pricilla?She could hardly keep her eyes open.

“I’ll make you some coffee and bring it to you,” he said, kissing the side of her neck.“Don’t forget.We’ve got the tasting for the caterer tonight.”

Fuck.The party was in just over a week.She briefly considered canceling but knew that would never fly.They needed to project strength.Everything was business as usual.No ancient paranormal entities were on their way to—well, honestly, she had no idea what the Old One was going to do, but Dohal was afraid, and that was more than enough to keep her up at night.

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