Chapter 163: Wayward

❀ Maeve ❀

I traced, hitting him so hard the wall shuddered at his back.

“H-how is this possible?” I breathed, feeling him up with frantic strokes.

Hard. Solid vampire. Scent overwhelming. He was here.

Alive.

And smiling.

“How are you alive?” I cried.

My heart clenched with joy and dread. If this was a dream and I woke up, I’d promptly end my own life just to get back to it.

I peered up at his eyes, noting the familiar curve of his lips and the perfect pale dew of his face.

He cupped my cheeks, equally roving his gaze over me like I could disappear any moment.

My exact fear.

“Speak, vampire. What is this? We couldn’t find Tammy. I was so sure you were dead. Bastian said you drained me.”

At the memory of that line, I looked into his eyes again, noticing something I’d missed before.

They were crazed, yes. But not with wrath like before. This fervent gleam in his eyes was all for me. Deep and desperate, like he wanted to drink me up with his eyes.

“I’ll tell you all. But first… are you well? I heard of a war, but I could not arrive sooner. Too weak. Healing.”

My eyes widened. “Healing? You did greet the sun. Why… why would you do that?”

“Were you healed? Does the curse still plague you?”

“Yes!” I flung my arms up, exasperated. “I still feel it. It possessed me during the war. When I thought you’d died… it was that you’d died for nothing. Never do that to me again!”

His brows furrowed. “I was so sure…”

“It didn’t work.” I grasped his hands, slotting my fingers between his. “But I’d take a curse all my life if it meant bringing you back. Oh, Nikolai.”

I couldn’t get enough of him. I hugged him, then drew back to look at his face again. Raked my fingers through his hair and down his haphazardly worn shirt.

He’d come in a hurry.

I traced us to my bed.

The sun had gone down, the sky a muted orange and dark red. The distant voices of people and activity filtered in on a calm, chill wind.

The moment was surreal.

Nikolai, in my arms. Alive. And well.

He suddenly pulled me in for another hug, his hold tight and crushing. My body still trembled from shock, my instincts screaming to bottle him up somehow so he couldn’t slip away.

Then, finally, he began.

“After I’d drained you, I went to Tammy. Nearly mad with the wrath, I explained everything to her and apologized. My mind was turned inside out, her face disfigured through my failing vision. She traced to BlackBridge. Said she would prefer to die there.”

Poor Tammy, to know that death was near.

I squeezed my eyes shut, heart breaking at their suffering. And all because of me.

Then he held me back by my shoulders, his voice suddenly firm.

“But the damndest thing has occurred, milaya. I am cured.”

“How? Did you find an antidote?”

To be free at last? With my mate by my side?

His features pinched briefly. “Not an antidote. The sun.”

“Huh?”

“I traced myself to the highest summit in the mountains, under the full glare of the sun. And I burned. I burned until I felt I would die. But hours later, the burning lessened. The sun’s rays became a dull singe. I cowardly traced myself back home.”

“You’re not a coward!”

“The servants found me. They called healers, and when I woke up… I was cured. I should’ve been ash within minutes, but I wasn’t. I believe it was your blood.”

“My blood?” I asked, owl-eyed.

“Your wolf half makes you immune to the sun. I believe the wrath was burned out of me, but I retained that ability.”

I cocked my head. “That… that’s unbelievable.”

“And yet, here I am.”

“The servants didn’t give you some drug or something that could’ve healed it?”

“That’s the only thing that explains my survival. The sun fried me, mercilessly… but I didn’t die.”

Something like hope bloomed in my chest, but it died just as fast.

“I was about to ask if it could work on me, then remembered I’ve been in the sun all my life.”

“I came to the exact same conclusion. But don’t worry, there’s still a chance.” That gleam entered his eyes again.

“What?”

“I can just drain you, again and again, and burn it off.”

“What?” I snapped, jerking my hand from his. “No. Don’t even think about it. You barely survived the first time.”

His eyes hardened, and he gripped my hip, claws unfurled.

“Know this, Maeve. If I knew I would die on my next attempt, I’d gladly suffer that torture again.”

His voice was steel, his fangs already lengthening as he spoke.

He would do that for me?

What was I saying… he already had.

“Nikolai,” I breathed, my chest aching for all the right reasons.

I wanted to say more, but he drew me onto his thighs, gaze searing, and kissed me.

My body melted at once, a desperate moan dragged from my lungs. I licked his fangs, clutching him like a stolen bounty.

Heat flooded between my legs, but I found the will to pull away.

Both of us panted, gazes locked.

I struggled to find words through the lust sizzling my skin.

“I need to tell Bastian.” I said.

I’d punished my wolf mate with my broken heart, poisoning our bond by missing the other half of me. He’d been so supportive, so forgiving. He deserved more than this happening behind his back.

“I’ll be here,” Nikolai rasped, hands still cupping my curves.

“No. Come with me.”

“Who knows where he’ll be? Imagine appearing right in front of a gathering. Or the council. It’s best if you get him alone.”

“You won’t leave?”

“Not even the gods could banish me from your side, milaya.”

I nodded, then reached for Bastian through the mind link.

‘Bastian, baby, where are you?’

‘Are you well? I’m by the lake behind the fortress. Should I come?’

Summoning him felt… wrong.

‘No. I just need to tell you something. I’ll come to you.’

‘Make haste. I miss you.’

My heart clenched. ‘I miss you even more.’

I refocused on Nikolai. “Stay right here. Don’t move an inch. If you do, I’ll know.”

Nikolai smiled, settling into my bed. He sprawled backward, hands crossed beneath his head.

“Noted, my queen.”

And still, I hesitated, drinking in the sight of his powerful body in my bed.

The faster I got Bastian, the sooner I could come back to this.

My veins thrummed with anticipation. With pure, reckless joy.

I traced.

Leaves barely rustled in the quiet hush of air at the lake. Its surface was smooth as glass, fireflies winking in the low bushes.

My lungs expanded on a fresh breath, the future opening up so surely before me.

I couldn’t wait to find Bastian. To share the news.

I spun at the trace of his scent, ready to follow it to the ends of the earth—

Another scent coyly intertwined with it.

Unmistakably feminine. Unmistakably lush.

My blood froze. Then heated, rushing into fury and disbelief.

I’d left my wolf starving.

Had he sought relief elsewhere?