Page 31 of Shifted Existence

“Rest easy, my love. Here, take a sip.”

She could hear Talon’s voice and feel his warm embrace as he pressed a mug of something sweet and almost citrusy to her lips. She took a sip. He allowed her to take a breath before pressing the rim of the cup to her lips again.

“How long have I been out?”

“Not long at all. Melea and Dani were certain you would transition more quickly than most, and they were right.”

“I felt you with me for the majority of the time.”

“I had to leave you briefly at the beginning, but I have not left you since. How are you feeling?”

“Not sure. I felt worse when it started. It was strange—darkness all around with brief glimpses of what has been and what may be popping up all around me.” When he started to put her aside and leave the bed, she clutched his arm. “Please don’t. I feel less unsure of things when you are near.”

Talon settled back and pulled her into his naked body so that she was sitting between his legs, leaning back against his chest. He held her, calling softly to Melea.

“Alpha?” Melea asked in a worried voice.

“You and Dani were right. She has awakened.”

“I will go and make food. The kitchen is closed at this hour.”

“Ask the guard outside to get another and bring the tub up here. I think she might enjoy a soak in some scented water.”

Melea nodded and left them.

“Are you trying to tell me I stink again?”

Talon chuckled. “No, beloved. I thought it might ease the aches from your body.”

“What aches? You haven’t been spanking or fucking me for days,” Bailey quipped, making Talon chuckle again.

“If you continue to be disrespectful, I will see to both,” he said with mock sternness.

“I’m not sure if I want to eat or soak.”

“There’s no need to choose between them. You can soak and I will feed you.”

“Or you can feed me and soak with me at the same time. I saw us doing that several times while I floated. It seemed like a nice thing to do.”

“You don’t seem as angry as when you entered the transition.”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I was able to talk to Dani. She is quite certain that life here is much better than the one we left behind.”

Two warriors came in carrying the enormous tub and took the time to wish her well. Other warriors came in carrying water to fill it. Once they were gone, Talon helped her out of the gossamer-like gown someone had given her. Talon placed it in her hands, and she rubbed it with reverence.

“This is so fine and delicate. I don’t remember ever holding something as soft.”

“Dani thought you might like it.”

“Was there a lot of trouble with the Council?”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle. Do not concern yourself. You need to concentrate on recovering.”

“Don’t think to shut me out, Talon,” she said in an aggressive tone.

“I have no intention of doing so. Dani has been quite forthcoming in her opinion that I do so at not only at my own risk, but at that of the pack.”

“She’s a clever girl, my friend Dani.”

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