Chapter 32: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

My face ached, but the pain was fading. It couldn't dim the victory I'd felt. Danvers was tending to Sena and Gus was fretting over her, the motherly side of the housekeeper on full display. She'd already sent Gil with orders for soup and sweet wine, then sent Chancel with another demand for spiced cake because everyone waking from a terrifying nightmare deserved cake as a reward.

I didn't laugh at the sight, but I wanted to. Because despite the dream Sena had been having when I found her, her mouth open again in that silent scream that made me want to shred the Alpha who'd stolen her voice from her, she was fighting back against him.

And her body responded to protect her in the way it was always meant to.

By shifting.

She'd never done it before, she swore to Danvers and to me. Even to Gus, who petted her and wrapped another warm blanket around her shivering form.

It hadn't been a full shift, of course. A partial shift only, the tips of claws appearing on one hand. But they were sharp and could easily do damage. The proof of that was on my face.

But it was a sign that she was improving. The Silver Sickness that had always kept her from shifting was responding to the treatments she'd already received. It was a small step forward.

It was progress we needed to see.

I knew how hard it was for Danvers to contain his own excitement. After checking Sena over one more time, he joined me in the corner to allow Gus room to do more motherly fretting.

"I didn't expect such a fast reaction." He hummed under his breath, then added, "Though I should've realized there could be a chance. I mean, the early treatments of the tonic we used did have your blood as the base mixed with the other medicinals we normally use. With today's infusion, I had a higher balance of your essence and focused on only adding those ingredients we've found counteract the silver itself. Still, though, I hadn't expected such a strong response. I thought it would take longer."

I leaned against the wall, watching with a cautious assessment as Sena managed to finish the soup Gus had brought up and then obediently took bites of cake. My face stung as Danvers poked at the slash marks.

"I'm sorry, sir, but it's fascinating how precise the marks are." He huffed when I waved him away. "You should be more intrigued by the possibilities, Alkan. She has never manifested a shift before. Even a partial one like this is momentous."

He produced bandages and salve, and I let him dab some on the marks. The healing cream stung, but it faded quickly. I took advantage of the opportunity to give him more information he might consider valuable when it came to tracking her healing.

"She drank from me." I muttered the words, keeping my voice down so Gus and Sena wouldn't hear. "When she woke, we agreed to an exchange."

The healer blinked in surprise. "Direct from you? Oh, that could explain some of her fast reaction. Though, I wish there was more factual documentation about Fated Souls. It could be that the connection between the two of you allows her to share your healing abilities."

"Possible. There are journals in the library that might provide what you're looking for. It's not a topic I've ever researched before, but it's worth checking." He blotted my cheek with the bandage. "No need for that, Danvers. The salve will do its work and enhance my natural healing. It'll be fine after I rest. No one will be able to tell it even happened.  Just don't grease me up like one of those chickens Gus likes to cook on the spit."

He chuckled. "You're lucky Gus didn't hear you say that. She's particular about those chickens, you know."

Gus clapped her hands to get our attention. "Our girl is fed and ready for a good, long sleep. So, we best be getting on now. Danvers, help me with this tray."

Together, the old friends gathered up the dishes and cutlery, and promised to check in with us again when we awoke. As they left us behind, Danvers was already telling Gus about his theories, what new ingredients he might want to try, and how he planned to comb through the stacks of books in the library.

"I'm sorry about your face," said Sena once the door closed. I locked it and placed the key on the bedside table.

I laughed lightly. "Don't be. I take it as a good sign that your body is healing. Which is what our end goal is."

She watched me from her position propped up on pillows against the headboard. "I don't think I really believed it was possible. Even now, I keep thinking I imagined it."

"Want to see my face again?" I stepped toward the bed, watching for any sign that she was nervous with me coming so close. "Pretty sure these cuts are real."

That earned me a small smile. I tugged my tunic off over my head, folded it into a tidy square and set it on the chair that waited in the corner. Sena's gaze tracked over my bare chest, but I didn't sense any fear from her. Not yet anyway.

"Any plans to stake me in my sleep, little spy? Or am I safe to have us both sleep unrestrained?" I could see the way her face flushed even in the low light. "If you feel any desire to injure me, please speak now. It's been a long night for us both. We should sleep while we can."

Silence hung between us as I dressed for bed. Gus had helped Sena prepare herself for sleep as she fussed over her, telling her to rinse her teeth with the wash that Danvers had created. It not only cleaned teeth expertly, but it left a bright, fresh scent behind. Many in the Court preferred it. She'd also helped her out of her clothes and into a nightgown. A white shift that offered modesty and comfort.

When she finally answered, I was the one who was surprised. "I think it's best, sir, if you tie me up again." At my raised brow, she added, "If I have another dream like that, I could hurt you while you're sleeping. I wouldn't like that."

Her concern for me was a small sign that perhaps our relationship was improving. Still, I couldn't help but tease her as I moved to the wardrobe and pulled the silken rope from the shelf inside. "One night in restraints and she's already requesting it. Some would say you're an Istakarran’s wish come true, Sena."

There was no mistaking the brighter flush in her cheeks as I carried the rope over to her. She held still as I bound her hands once more, testing the knots to ensure they were secure, but not painful. She tested the bonds, flexing against them as I instructed, then laid her head down as I slid into place behind her. I wrapped an arm around her carefully, intending only to offer support and comfort, and she relaxed beneath my touch. Soon, I heard her breathing even out and knew she'd fallen asleep.

My pulse synched once more with hers and my eyes drifted shut as I felt the connection between us warm in my chest. Maybe it was a good idea for Danvers to research what was known about Fated Souls. Because if our bond was already strong enough for her to access more of my healing ability, that suggested it was stronger than even I had anticipated.

Needing to hold her close, I tugged her toward me, until her back was pressed against my chest. It was only then that I allowed myself to give in to the dawn and the rest it required.

My last thought was of how beautiful Sena had looked, her eyes alight with the power of the moon, blunt teeth formed in a snarl, and the gleaming tips of her claws slashing toward me. She was becoming exactly who she'd been born to be. Making her even more my enemy, in a way.

But Fate had decided differently for both of us.

And I was determined to see this path through to the end.

Painful though it might be.

Because it felt right to have her at my side, in my arms, sheltered and safe.

Even if she had claws that could shred me to pieces if she wished.

All I had to do was convince her I was worth more to her alive than dead.

And the only way I could think to do that was to share my biggest secret of all.