Page 151 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 57
Rafe was standing near the side of the bed when Aleksander strolled over in his pajamas. “Do you want to get under the covers?”
“I guess.”
Tugging back the blankets, Rafe gestured at Aleksander to climb in. Dressed in a special pair of pajamas Larissa had made that week that featured black wolves on a blue background, Aleksander settled on the mattress. Everyone was doing what they could to welcome Nox to the household, and Rafe was moved by their warmth. Rafe tucked Aleksander in and sat close. “You ready?”
“Yeah. Give me a kiss.”
Tears threatened for no good reason Rafe could pinpoint when their mouths met. It was still weird to show affection with an audience, since Rafe had no idea who approved of their relationship and who didn’t, so he kept it relatively short. “Love you.”
“I love you too. Relax, you’re not going to have any time to miss me.”
Rafe harrumphed and got to his feet before he did something stupid like beg Aleksander to tell Mortis he’d have to wait for his other half. It was small and selfish, which reminded him of what an asshole he could be, so Rafe simply crossed his arms.
“I never dreamed I’d get the chance to tranquilize Aleksander,” Conley crowed.
“You sound too excited,” Aleksander said. “But come and do it, because it feels weird as shit to be lying in bed with everyone in here.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Conley retorted, striding across the room. When he passed Rafe, he squeezed his arm. “Rafe, close your eyes.”
With one last glance at Aleksander, who gave him an air kiss, he let his lashes fall. There was a small click in the quiet space.
“Okay, you can open them now,” Drystan told him softly.
Rafe’s gaze went to his mate who appeared asleep. “The tranq lasts how long?”
“For him, probably around eight to twelve hours. After that, he’ll be able to hear you talking, right, Chand?” Conley asked.
“Yeah, so keep him company,” Chander replied. “Ready for me to cast the spell?”
“Mortis ready.”
Rafe stroked his fur. “Let’s do this.”
Two glorious black wings beautifully decorated in the same neon green as Alaric’s eyes gracefully appeared behind Chander, and his irises shifted to red as dark smoke billowed like a halo around Aleksander. Next to him a globe formed, and Rafe’s brows lifted as it grew to nearly four feet tall. Mortis whined and he darted behind Rafe as the bubble burst. An enormous wolf stared at Rafe and Mortis with a gaze in the colors of D’Vaire. His fur was raven, which tapered into blue on the base of his sides, his belly, and legs. When he let out a woof, Mortis bolted for the door.
“Out! Out! Out!”
“Mortis, it’s okay.”
“Out! Out! Out!”
“Dammit Alaric, can you open the door?” Rafe asked. The Lich Sentinel did as he was asked, and Mortis was gone in a flash.
Rafe shook his head at the silly wolf, then glanced at Aleksander’s enormous new friend. “Hey, I’m Rafe. Aleksander there wanted to name you Nox. What do you think?”
Nox nodded in a sentinel-like manner and stared at Rafe.
“Yeah, sorry, your mate’s name is Mortis, and I guess he’s a little scared of you. These guys are Drystan and Conley. The necromancer who resurrected you is Chander, and his mate is your leader, Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray.”
The wolf loped over to Alaric, who grinned. “I don’t know why I’m surprised you’re too big to be a wolf. Aleksander’s dragon is large too.”
“Rafe, I was afraid of this,” Chander said. “Aleksander’s soul must be sturdier than everyone else on the damn planet. I wouldn’t expect to see him wake up before that three days.”
It was no use letting out the sigh that wanted to escape, so Rafe held in his disappointment. “You think it’ll be longer?”
“Honestly, yeah. Nox is even bigger than I imagined he’d be. That’s difficult for someone with magic, and as far as we know, shifters don’t have any.”
