#76 Wakey Wakey

Wakey Wakey
Ryanna POV

Waking up felt like crawling out of a goddamn grave. My body ached like I’d been hit by a truck, every muscle screaming, my head pounding with a dull throb that made me wince before I even opened my eyes.

The world was drowsy and blurred, my eyelids heavy as hell. But I was breathing. Alive. StarFury’s familiar hum vibrated beneath me, the castle’s stones whispering, Welcome back, bitch. Syrene’s voice slipped in, calm but sharp. “Easy, babe. You pushed too hard. Life force ain’t unlimited, not even for a demi-god.”

I groaned inwardly, exhaustion dragging me down to the bone, but relief sparked through me. I wasn’t dead. That was something. When my green eyes fluttered open, the healing ward came into focus. Soft crystal lights, cots along the walls, shelves packed with herbs. And my mates, every one of them, were scattered around like guardians on watch.

Kaelan paced, his golden hair catching the glow. Those golden eyes flashing worry that melted into relief the second he saw me stir. Lucien sat silent, silver eyes locked on me, shadows curling restlessly around his chair. Rhydor was a statue, black eyes fierce, massive frame tense. Darian hovered at the foot of the bed, blue eyes sharp, silver hair a mess from dragging his hands through it.

Dryke leaned against the wall, dragon heat radiating, his green eyes smoldering with concern. And Aedryos stood stone still, his starfire eyes watching like a sentinel.

“Fuck,” I croaked, voice raspy, throat dry as bone. “What hit me?” I tried to sit up, only to gasp as pain shot through my chest. Syrene chuckled. “You did, girl. Drained yourself saving that alpha wolf. Heroic, sure, but we gave too much. Lesson learned.”

The guys closed in fast. Kaelan was first, his hand warm on my arm. “Little wolf, you’re awake. Gods, you scared the shit out of us.” His voice tried to be playful, but it cracked with real worry.

Lucien’s shadows slid across my skin, a phantom caress. “Don’t ever do that again,” he muttered, his silver eyes burning. “We thought we lost you.” Possessive as hell, but fear also laced his tone.

Rhydor’s black eyes softened, his rumble low. “You’re tougher than any of us, queen. But damn, don’t push like that again.” His protective presence wrapped around me like armor.

Darian’s gaze lingered on me like I was one of his precious equations. “You’ve been out almost twelve hours,” he said softly. “We were losing our minds.”

Dryke’s voice cut in, his dragon heat flaring. “Princess, you’re reckless.” His arrogance cracked, raw fear under it. “We need you alive.”

I managed a weak grin. “I’ll be fine. Just tired as fuck.” But my thoughts jumped immediately to the battlefield. Belinda’s stench. The vampires. Maelira’s pledge. “What about Maelira? Did she...?”

The door swung open before I finished, and Maelira stepped in, her hair disheveled but her alpha aura strong. She dropped to her knees beside me, eyes wide with gratitude. “Thank you, Ryanna,” she said, voice breaking. “I’ll never forget what you’ve done. My people and I are loyal to you always.”

I reached out, pulling her into a weak hug. “Don’t make me regret it,” I muttered.

The room erupted, Kaelan’s bark of laughter, Lucien’s low chuckle, Rhydor’s grunt, Darian’s grin, Dryke’s smirk. Even Maelira cracked a smile. Syrene laughed in my head. “That’s my girl. Keep them guessing.”

Aedryos moved suddenly, laying a hand on my head. Starfire magic surged, warm and electric, easing the ache in my bones. “You need food, goddess,” he rumbled, and vanished again, leaving me blinking.

Kaelan bolted after him with a howl. “Hell no, not this time!” His golden energy bounded out the door.

I laughed weakly, ribs aching. Dryke slid in close, clasping my hand in his heated grip. “You’re not alone, princess,” he murmured. “I can’t wait to sink my claws into the high court for this.”

Lucien took my other hand, his shadows curling around our fingers. “We’ve got you,” he said, voice rough with devotion.

Darian and Rhydor paced like caged wolves. “Almost twelve hours,” Darian muttered again, tight with worry. Rhydor’s jaw flexed. “Don’t scare us like that, queen.”

Groaning, I eased myself upright, wincing. “Feels like I got flattened by a god’s hammer.”

Syrene hummed. “Close enough. Next time, let Aedryos handle the heavy lifting.”

Minutes later, Kaelan and Aedryos returned, carrying a platter so massive it could’ve fed a small army. It had fruit, cheese, meats, crackers, grapes, sharp cheddar, salami and crisp apples, all laid out like art. My stomach growled loud enough to echo. I tore into it, groaning as the flavor hit my tongue. “Fuck, that’s good.” Bite by bite, energy trickled back into me.

And then it slammed into me. The ritual. “We need to do it. Now.” I wiped my mouth, green eyes blazing. “I found the ingredients at the coven market. All of them.”

The room froze. “All?” Kaelan blurted, eyes wide. I smirked, popping a grape. “I have my ways.”

Darian and Aedryos exchanged a look, their brains already firing. Darian nodded sharply. “We can have it ready by the next full moon. Two nights.” His blue eyes gleamed with calculation.

I pointed at my pack in the corner. “Everything’s in there. Don’t touch my trinkets or weapons, just the ingredients.”

They moved quickly and carefully, gathering the rare treasures. I leaned back, plate balanced on my lap, munching, watching their purpose ignite. Syrene sighed in my head. “Two nights, Queen. Rest. Because when that star binds, the world will never be the same.”

A grin split my tired face. For the first time since Mistmoor, I felt it. The power stirring, ready to rise.

We were finally fucking doing this.