Page 19 of The Ice Prince's Fated Mate
“Ella,” I rasped once more, taking note of the soreness in my throat. I recalled the screaming. Had that been me?
Where was I? I focused on what senses did seem to work. I could hear just fine. There was no wind, no rustle of branches or the cry of wild animals. A crackle that sounded like burning wood.
Was I back at the chalet? Had someone found us?
“Ella!” I called, wincing at the pain as I spoke louder.
This time the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps, muffled, like they weren’t nearby. The creaking of hinges announced a door opening, which answered that riddle.
A foggy light filtered through to my eyes, and I realized that something was covering them.
“Ella?” I repeated once more. My nose was blocked, so I couldn’t scent her.
“Not the last time I looked in the mirror,” a deep, masculine voice replied with a tinge of humor.
I sighed. “Caz.”
“Yes, little brother, it’s me.”
If Caz was cracking a joke first thing, it meant I could calm slightly. Things couldn’t bethatbad.
“She’s okay then?”
“Ella is fine,” Caz said wryly, unsurprised at my insistence. “The wound she suffered from the Red was worse than anything she got in the fall, thanks to you.”
I lay back into the bed, relaxing muscles I hadn’t realized were taut. “Thank the orb.”
Ella was alive. And so was I. Which meant I could still find a way to fix what I’d done.
A way to undo it all.
“What hit me?” I asked suddenly, trying to recall everything.
“The ground. A brellwood tree. Take your pick.”
I grunted. “How bad?”
This time the pause was longer.
“Bad.”
It wasn’t often that Caz showed concern or reluctance to speak, which meant it had been really bad.
“Oh.”
“We almost lost you. Twice. You’ve been unconscious for two days already, and I’d think it’ll be another two at least before you’re up and about.”
Four days’ healing time was almost unheard of for a dragon. Even the worst injuries were usually a day or two, three tops. And by the sounds of it, Caz thought I’d need even longer after I was able to get up.
“Damn.”
“Yeah.”
We let the silence speak for our emotions for a bit. Words weren’t needed. That wasn’t our way. Silence was heavier between us.
“I’ll probably need to leave before you’re up to full strength,” Caz continued after the moment had passed. “With Bryna’s trial due to start soon, I just knowUncleMirko is going to pull some stunt aimed at helping his mate. I have to be at the citadel and ready for it. Florian will manage for a bit, but that will be beyond him.”
I grunted an agreement. He was right. But I wasn’t going to be left behind. I vowed right then I would make the flight back with him.
