Dragon's Blood

FIRE (N) A BURNING SENSATION IN THE BODY.

Black dots danced in my vision as my eyes slowly fluttered open.

“Welcome back to the land of the living,” A blaringly loud voice practically yelled in my ear. Groaning I tried to shift away, but the action sent a harsh jolt of pain straight thought my arm. “Yeah I wouldn’t move if I were you. Your wounds aren’t too serious but until the medicine kicks in you’re under strict orders to remain in bed.”

My mind was foggy, I didn’t remember ever getting into bed for one thing, I was in my bedroom in the alpha house, all tucked in under my dusty rose covers. My hair was out of its usual ponytail the curls framing my face. My bare legs scraped against the blankets and I knew someone had changed me.

“What happened?”

“More like what didn’t happen!” Another voice and then those sand colored eyes were staring down at me, Nophe’s excited smile was the most alarming thing about the entire situation. “You were gone five minutes before Circe’s forest caught fire. If the wickedly hot prince hadn’t gone all ‘beast mode’ you’d probably be a pile of ash right now.”

“Get off of her Nophe,” A mop of blond dreads attached to the stern face of Joseline shoved the fairy away from the bed her dark purple eyes stared down at me. “Other than some smoke inhalation you should be fine.” The corner of her lip turned up in the Josie signature feel-better-motherly smile. “It’s best you rest now.”

Rest? Resting was the furthest from what I was planning to do. A fire had broken out! A fire on Luna Alba during winter was unheard of! On top of that Orion had saved me! My face flooded with color and I fought the urge to roll under my covers and squeal.

“Carried you damsel-in-distress style! Then he refused to leave your side, he even tucked you into bed himself,” Nophe shoved her way back into my line of vision. “Should I be designing a wedding dress?”

“Nophe!”

“What?” Nophe blinked innocently towards Josie who scowled.

“The patient needs rest. If you’re just going to make her more agitated, I’ll have to ask you wait outside with the rest of them.” Josie turned sharply.

“Rest of them?”

“Well after Orion carried you here and I brought Josie over from the hospital,” Nophe made herself comfortable on the edge of my bed a huge grin on her face. “Atlas who—by the way had this funny look when he saw Orion carrying you, gosh I wish I could show you—”

“Nophe.” Josie warned.

“Right right, anyways—Atlas nearly had an aneurism when he heard you were in the fire, I think the whole pack did.” Nophe continued. “So, he runs over here all angry and stuff, Josie forces him to chill out. Then Fionn dragged him outside, a few hours later Orion left too—but let me tell you that boy did not want to leave. Josie had to tell him you were going to be fine at least a thousand times before he finally left.”

“Yes, and even then, he didn’t want to leave—open.” Josie held a spoonful of something green against my lips and I managed to forcefully pry mouth open and swallow the bitter substance. “Peculiar behavior for a newly arrived prince. Then again maybe this is normal in Lucia?”

Wiping her hands off on her tunic she turned back to the little station she’d prepared on my nightstand. My mind was reeling.

Orion had rejected me, that was still fresh in my memory. His rejection had stung and I somehow remembered it having something to do with why I was in Circe’s forest in the first place. No amount of elixirs or concoctions would numb the aching in my heart. Squeezing my eyes shut I fought back tears, I couldn’t cry. Not with Josie and Nophe in the room.

“Is she awake yet?” The door to my room was suddenly thrown open and in stormed Atlas. His hair was in disarray curling around his eyes and ears, it was obvious he’d been running his hands through it a couple of times. His furious green eyes zeroed in on me and I saw him physically relax

He was at my side in an instant. Scanning every inch of me he could see he addressed Josie; “Is she alright?”

“Yes Alpha, You have the prince to thank for that. If he hadn’t gotten to her when he did the fire might’ve done worse damage. “ Josie sent me a gentle smile. “Just make sure she stays in bed tonight and I’ll check up on her tomorrow morning.”

“I’m in your debt.” Atlas finally turned towards Josie, bowing his head he showed her the greatest respect he could as an alpha. “Anything you want—name it and it’s yours.”

“Goodie!” Nophe practically jumped from the excitement.

“It’s an honor to serve the alpha family and besides—” She smiled at him. “—uou two are very important to me. There’s no charge.”

“Still…thank you for everything.”

“Yes, thank you.” I cleared my throat.

“I should be on my way,” Josie began gathering her things. “I have other patients to see. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Gripping Nophes upper arm she started out the room. “See ‘ya.”

As soon as they were gone Atlas dropped down beside me with a heavy sigh. For a few seconds silence enveloped us and I suck further into my covers. I stared up at the canopy I’d forced our father to put up when I was eight years old because I wanted to feel more like a princess. My cheeks felt hot.

“What happened today Aether?” Atlas finally broke the silence. “Did…did Orion—”

“No.” I shook my head, somehow the urge to protect Orion was intense—not that he actually had anything to do with the whole fire fiasco. “I don’t even remember what happened.”

Silence again.

Slowly he stood, dropping a quick kiss at the top of my head. “Get some rest. I’ll bring you something to eat later.”

“Thank you,” I watched him approach the door. “Atlas—wait.” He stopped and turned. “I love you.”

He chuckled and nodded. “Love you too little sister.”

Then he was gone.