“Father, we have to find a way to save her. We can’t simply pretend this isn’t happening.”
Cashel shook his head. “I’m not pretending anything. Your mate looks as though she’s about to lose control of whatever creature is lurking behind her eyes. I’m protecting my own. Take her now before I do it.”
“I’ll take her,” I said, just as on edge as Sunday was.
Kingston looked like he was about to fight me over it, but one hard glare and he backed down. Seemed the wolf could be trained after all.
Scooping Sunday into my arms, I cradled her to my chest and murmured, “I know you can walk, but please, let me do this.”
She nodded, nuzzling into me. “I wasn’t going to argue.”
“That’s a first.”
A sharp burst of pain in my neck made me chuckle. The little minx bit me.
She followed it up with a soft lap of her tongue. “Jerk.”
“I was aiming for distraction. Is it working?”
She was quiet for a second. “Not really.”
When we reached her room, I was loath to put her down, but I knew I needed to return to the library before decisions were made without me. Someone needed to be down there speaking to Sunday and the child’s best interests. And from the sound of things, I was the only one on their side. I couldn’t believe how quiet Kingston had been about all of it. As though he didn’t care that his child was in danger.
“I’m so sorry,” Sunday whispered.
“For what?”
“I don’t even know. All of this? What a fucking mess.”
“Don’t worry about any of that right now. We will sort it out. No matter what they might say, I will not let anyone harm our child. If I must take you away from here, I will. You are not alone in this.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and I reached out, wiping it away with my thumb.
“Do you promise?”
I placed her palm on my chest and matched the gesture on her own. “I swear to you, Kærasta,nothing will come between us.”
She let out a watery breath and nodded. “Okay then. I believe you.”
“As you should. Only a fool would try to come between a berserker and his mate.”
“Hermate,” Sunday said with a soft smile.
“I stand corrected.”
I dipped my head and took her lips with mine, needing the connection, the proof that even through all of this, we were still us. The kiss was gentle, soulful and filled with the truth and love only a fated mate could provide.
As I pulled away, I feathered my lips over her forehead, stealing a final second with her before whispering, “I should get back down there.”
“Go. Protect our baby, Alek. I’m counting on you to make them understand.”
“With my life.”
As I suspected,they were already plotting, the murmur of hushed voices carrying through the hallway from the library. The women were gone, likely needing to recover after the ritual they’d performed, leaving only the men still standing around debating things.
“But what do we do in the meantime?” Noah asked as I strode back in. “The Council won’t stop coming for her if we stay here.”
“Nothing changes,” Cashel insisted. “This is still the safest place for you all.Ican protect you.Wecan protect you. If I need to, I’ll call upon every vampire with Blackthorne blood to defend your mate.”