Page 154 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“If you want me to enjoy the company of another male, who am I to argue?” I smirked at his frown.
“Even in death, you tease me,” he grumbled.
My heart stuttered before it slammed hard against my chest. “As if two little dagger wounds and some burns could kill you.”
“You are merciless.”
“I am yours.”
When he edged up to prop his elbows on the couch, Leah leaned back with a grimace. The other healers followed suit.
“Your Majesty, you need?—”
“I need my mate.”
He cupped the back of my head and drew me to him for a biting kiss. It was demanding and needy, and each kiss and nip stripped another piece of my soul that only he could fit back together. I inched back, and with his hand still palming the back of my head, he kissed my forehead.
“Can anyone bend space to take us home?” he asked, his attention solely on my lips.
“I can, Your Majesty,” one of the healers said timidly.
“Elias,” I scolded, but it came out needy. “Let them finish healing you. Then we’ll go home.”
“I’m well enough.” His voice was dark and sultry.
When he stood from the couch, his hands landed on my waist, and he leaned down to press his lips against my throat.
“Elias.” I swatted his thigh but smiled when he let out this deep, rumbling laugh.
He was well, and I couldn’t have asked for more. If he wanted to lose himself to me, I’d happily oblige him.
“Go home.” Leah smiled. “Drink from your mate, and I’ll be by later this evening to check on you. There are still many areas that need to be mended.”
With Leah’s permission, we went to the female who’d take us home. It took a few attempts before she was able to bendspace and take us to our front yard, but before I could thank her, she disappeared, probably wanting to get away from us as quickly as possible.
Just as Nalari landed in our yard, Elias scooped me up, cradling me to his chest.
“Absolutely not,” I said, trying to wiggle from his hold, which only made him tighten his arms around me. “You were just stabbed, Elias. Put me down. I’ll walk on my own.”
His reply was a kiss to my cheek.
Even after almost a year together and witnessing firsthand how quickly fae could recover, I didn’t completely understand it. Without his healing magic, the blood loss he’d suffered should’ve killed him. The injuries he’d sustained should’ve kept him immobile in bed.
Here he was, though, carrying me as if nothing had happened. But something had happened. Something terrible that could’ve ripped him from existence.
“The stab wounds,” I said, trying to wiggle out of his hold again. “You’re going to tear open what Leah and the others healed.”
His chuckle was deep and throaty. “That’s not how healing works. Once Leah heals a wound, it can only reopen if someone slices me open again. You don’t have a blade on you, do you?”
I frowned at his tease. “Your burn marks. Elias, you can’t carry me like this when you’re still so badly injured.”
He nuzzled against my throat. “I’m in pain, Teddy. Of course I’m in pain, but more than that, I need you. I need to lose myself in you. I need to find release in you. I need that reminder that we’re whole and here and together. My injuries . . . they don’t matter nearly as much as what I need from you.”
I understood what he meant and felt that same instinctive need to bury myself in Elias.
“Are you sure you won’t injure yourself further?” But already I felt myself surrendering to our shared need.
“I promise.”
