She nearly laughed again. "Marriage contract, huh? What, exactly, is that going to entail?"
He kissed her nose. "We'll talk more about it later. But just know that I very much look forward to negotiating with you, in great detail, and sealing it with a proper kiss and tumble."
With one last heated look, Leo moved from her side. It was only then that she noticed Nora hovering in the doorway, an uneasy look on her face. Remembering how Ambrose had been taken, she blurted, "Nora, tell me Ambrose is okay."
Nora nodded just as Leo murmured something to his sister. Then with one last love-filled look in Yesenia's direction, her new fiancé exited the room.
And she already missed him. Yeah, Yesenia had fallen hard for her vampire, that was for sure.
Nora stopped at the side of her bed, garnering her attention. "I'm so glad you're awake, Yesenia. I don't want to think what Leo would've done if you hadn't survived. We're not at war yet, but it might have happened if you'd died. No, itwouldhave happened, with a certainty."
Given how Nora was rambling a little, Yesenia was fairly certain Ambrose was on the mend. But she still needed to know. "How's Ambrose doing?"
Nora's brows came together, her posture deflating a fraction, telling Yesenia just how much she'd been hiding her emotions. "He woke up a short while ago and talked a little with me. The doctor said if he woke up, he should recover."
Nora bit her lip and Yesenia managed to reach out a hand and touch one of the female's. "But?"
"But whilst his physical wounds are healing, I don't know how the injuries or torture will affect him long-term. I hate how we'll just have to wait and see what happens."
She took Nora's hand in hers. "I'll be here to help, no matter what happens. Maybe I can even find his fated one, as I hear that's usually a good thing for a vampire and gives them a reason to fight."
A brief flash of panic crossed Nora's face, but it was gone before Yesenia could blink. Nora quickly recovered and smiled. "You can always ask him. But you need to remember not everyone wants to find their fated one."
She had a feeling that statement was more about Nora than Ambrose. "Of course. I don't want to force anyone, even if chance did end up working in Leo's favor."
Nora's smile widened, and genuine happiness filled her mismatched eyes. "I know, I heard my brother's proposal. Or most of it. If there was anything salacious, it was mostly too soft for me to hear. And if not, I'll pretend it was."
She laughed and regretted it. "You all need to stop making me laugh."
As they smiled at one another, Yesenia felt another piece of rightness settle into place. She, the friendless outcast, not only had a fiancé now, but would soon have a new sister. And more than that, with Rebecca, Ambrose, Nora, and even Charlotte, she also had actual friends for the first time in roughly a decade.
Something so simple on the surface, and yet it made all the difference in the world.
She just needed Meadow and River here with her as well, and her life would be damned near perfect.
River. Meadow.They'd been in her dream but were still in unknown danger. Hell, if only she could help them tomorrow, she would.
But she probably would have to wait a little longer, no matter how much she wanted to see and hug them again.
Not wanting the water works to kick in, she bit her bottom lip and nearly sighed in relief when Leo brushed Nora aside so the doctor could do his examination.
And all too soon she was told the danger had passed, but she couldn't use her magic for at least a week. Oh, and she must follow the doctor's orders to the letter or risk a relapse.
Leo assured the fae witch male she would. And as soon as she and Leo were alone again, he settled next to her, pulled her close with her back to his front, and nuzzled her cheek. "You look exhausted. Sleep, my little witch. I'll watch over you whilst you do."
She wanted to say she'd been unconscious for two days and wanted to stay awake a little longer. But between Leo's heat, and warmth, and the sense of peace he created, she soon drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face.