“I think she’s going to be just fine,” the healer finally answers. “Once her body gets its energy back, she will be alright. Thanks to our Queen’s healing, I don’t even have to stitch her now. We got lucky this time," she explains, and I let out a sob of relief. They all turn to me and give me a bow with their hands held over their hearts. It’s a sign of respect and right now it feels so monumental.
I’ve not had the chance to really test the limits of my magic, using it so pointedly like I did here, but I’m so grateful that it helped. Her being alive, that’s enough thanks for me.
“That means you can stop, darling," Bowen gently coaxes. I shake my head no and keep sending my healing vibes into her. She needs to be her best so her baby can have her mom back. If I have to be a bit exhausted to allow that, so be it.
“The baby deserves a mom who is fully functioning and able to provide milk. Her body went into a traumatic labor after being frozen. She needs me.” I reply stubbornly, refusing to look at any of them.
They don’t protest, though I can feel their frustration from here. As my magic wavers once more and I feel myself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness, I finally stop. My hand remains in hers even as I slump on the floor near her.
My men don’t pull me away, instead standing vigil as my eyes grow heavy and I fall asleep feeling proud and grateful for my magic.
Chapter 13
When I wake up the next morning, I feel like I got hit by a diesel. If I hadn’t slowed my magic in the end, I’d be in a lot worse condition, but even so I know I’ll have to be careful today.
Emrick is going to lecture me over this one.
With a stretch, I sit up and glance around. I’m back in my bed with Maddox passed out next to me. Not wanting to wake him, but also needing to check in on Lilly and the baby, I quietly slip out of bed.
The only one in the common room is Jacob. He’s curled up on the couch reading something. He looks up when he hears me, a grin taking over his handsome face.
“Now you’re a labor nurse too? Damn girl, leave some jobs for the rest of us," he teases and I grab a couch pillow to throw at him before plopping down on the couch.
“It wasn’t insanely stressful or anything," I say sarcastically, letting out a sigh.
He stretches out and puts his head in my lap as soon as I’m comfortable. Dormy immediately runs up his body to snuggle in my hair again and I give him a few scratches before playing with Jacob’s midnight purple hair.
“I’ve missed you, Queenie," he replies, closing his eyes and sighing happily as I run my fingers through his shaggy locks.
“Life kind of went crazy on us. I can’t say I regret it though, look how amazing our life will be here one day.”
He chuckles at my words. “What’s not to love? I’m a fabulous fae prince with an amazing man and a badass best friend. Plus, we are like fae animal whisperers with your crazy mouse.” Dormouse squeaks once and we laughed at his input. Apparently he’s not willing to be left out, snuggling onto Jacob’s chest. My best friend immediately starts stroking my furry companion. He’s become a spoiled little mouse.
“Any word on the fae who were still unconscious? Or the baby and Lilly?” I ask. He scoffs like I’ve offended him.
“Why do you think I waited here? You act like I don’t know you." He dramatically rolls his eyes before continuing. “Lilly and baby Elsie are both perfect. Lilly wants to see you by the way, when you’re rested. Everyone who was still knocked out, woke up either last night or this morning. So far everyone’s healthy, bathed, and fed. Though they’re a bit confused and disoriented still. I can’t imagine falling asleep then waking up years later. Maddox gave them a synopsis of what they missed and that calmed them a bit. They’re just happy the war is over.”
“Is everyone taking the changes well? I feel bad I wasn’t there to greet them, but helping Lilly drained me and that was more important.”
“Of course it was. We can call a meeting to introduce you after dinner or something. We need to find your stone as well. River and the council are going to murder us when we finally make it back, it’s been months.” I cringe at the reminder. It’s awful we’ve been away so long and I’m sure everyone is panicking.
“They probably think we failed or died," he nods in agreement.
“Remind me to always bring the communication stone from now on,” I say. At least if I had that they’d have peace of mind. Thanks to Jacob’s updates I actually feel better and more connected than I did. I have to start realizing that I don't have to do it alone, I can rely on them to handle things as well. “Thanks for being such a fabulous prince.”
“It comes naturally, we all knew I was born to be royal," he laughs, trying to lighten the moment. I laugh and roll my eyes.
“So modest and humble," I deadpan. Of course, he just laughs harder. Dormy gives a half-hearted annoyed squeak before falling back asleep.
“How
are my parents?” I ask. It’s still so odd to call them that.
“Your mom is still on bedrest. Sebastian said he’d come tell you when she was awake for longer than a few minutes. She’s got a lot more recovering to do than the rest of us. Iron is apparently not just a fae myth.”
“No, it kept her weak, sick, and powerless,” I confirm. “I’m having such a hard time wrapping my head around all of this. How did I go from an orphan to having two parents? Part of me knows they did what they had to and I’m thankful to have them back. The other part of me still feels that sting of abandonment. They left me, Jacob. I was stuck with that woman for years, and yes she cared for me, but it was a loveless childhood. Why didn’t they just stay there with me?” A tear starts to run down my cheek and he wipes it away. My chest feels like it’s trapped in a vise that won’t let go, an old pain that’s never quite gone away, only stayed dormant until I was forced to face it again.
“Ask them, Bells. Even if you don’t like the answer, at least you’ll know. Keeping that kind of baggage won’t do the three of you any favors, you’ll always hold yourself back. Plus, you have me and your kings forever.”