Page 161 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
“Svenn, I meant what I said earlier. You can regain your strength faster by feeding from me,” I offer again.
A dark chuckle leaves him. “All my wounds are healed. If you want me to bite you, just ask.”
The beautiful sound makes my toes curl involuntarily. I have to ask him something that’s been bugging me for a while. “Does elf blood—my blood taste bad?”
His brows furrow together. “Why would you say that?”
I lower my head. “You don’t take from me often… Is it not as good as a human’s?”
A gasp escapes me when his warm hand grasps my chin, forcing my gaze to his. “Some blood sings… and yours is a siren, Nel. It’s the most heavenly thing I’ve tasted in my entire existence. There’s no other like it.”
My heart stills at that answer. I close my eyes briefly in a prayer.
“That’s a relief,” I whisper softly. “I almost begged Aelfric and Garrett to donate their blood for you, in case mine isn’t good.”
For a moment, it feels like time has paused with that look in his eyes. The scowl from the taut cringing in the lines of his face is unnerving. I think I may have insulted him. The scary look quickly passes, replaced by a resigned expression. “I’m going to pretend I never heard that rotten suggestion because you’re my sweet darling Nel.”
I don’t focus on anything else but the last part of his words. I’m sweet. I’m darling. And I’m his. It feels almost like a fever dream to hear him say that.
The pain in my ribs reminds me that this is real. I lift my nightgown to check on the fracture. The bruise is uglier now after the healing and I feel like crying. There’s no way it will heal in time for tomorrow. I need to wear the Astraea’s temple dress in the morning to address the war generals.
“Nel?” Svenn calls to me, concern brimming in his face. “Let us go to the healers now.”
A knot forms in my windpipe and I shake my head. “I’m not in pain much.”
I’m just scared. So, so scared if anyone finds out about Rainer. My knights and Lady Deirdre will definitely start asking question because they’ve seen me unharmed after the battle.
Svenn stares at me in confusion before the emotion bleeds into anger.
“Point me who to kill, Nel,” he says hoarsely. “Let me help you.”
Hope sparks in my chest at the brilliant thought crossing my head. “Svenn, you can help me! Please heal me with your venom.”
He did it for Shade in the sewer and he healed my palm once.
Svenn’s brows lift with surprise before they scrunch with concern. “But the amount of venom needed for bone-deep injuries… I won’t lie. It’s going to hurt.”
He would never warn me if it wasn’t serious.
“How bad?” I ask, trying to keep myself calm.
He visibly swallows. “Remember that terrible morning when I bit your wrist?”
I nod. Svenn was possessed by the Grimsbane’s armor back then.
There is a moment of hesitation before he continues. “This will be far worse.”
“Svenn, I need this. Help me,” I plead, tears gathering in my eyes.
His chest rises with a deep, heavy breath. “Nel, it will be the worse pain you’ll ever experience in your life.”
I am no stranger to pain. “I can take it.”
He strokes a rough hand over my hair. “High doses of my venom do strange things to the body. Pain will come first, then the healing, followed by the final state, heightened sensation and loss of inhibition.”
“Do it. I trust you,” I say slowly.
He remains convinced. This is the first time I see him so undecided and unsure. I whirl from him and tilt my head, letting my long hair fall back.
