Page 100 of Not Your Ex's Hexes
Damian growled. “Igot her.”
His brother held up his hands and backed off, the first smart thing he’d done all night.
Damian paused at the table, his palms dry as he contemplated what to do and where he could touch her without hurting her. “Is there any place I should avoid?”
“The Gryndor taloned her left torso, so be careful,” Olive answered. “And then be extra gentle when you lay her down on the bed. Vi set the broken ribs without much difficulty, but it’ll take a few hours for them to mend. And then there’s the concussion. Head injuries take a little longer to resolve.”
“I’ll brew more healing tea to help speed up the process.” Edie plucked at the dried herbs hanging from the exposed beam above her kitchen sink.
With Olive’s guidance, Damian gently eased his arms beneath Rose’s legs and behind her shoulders, holding his breath as he liftedher from the table. A soft moan escaped her lips, and damn if hearing it didn’t feel like he’d taken a knife to the gut.
Olive nodded approvingly and led the way to the back room where she gestured for him to place her in the lone bed. He carefully eased her head—and the rest of her—onto the soft mattress, and then Olive gently tucked her sister beneath the covers.
Satisfied she’d be comfortable enough, she turned to him, tucking a piece of fabric into his hand.
“For the gash on your hand,” Olive answered his silent question. “You’re dripping life juices, and not even the Goddess herself can help you if you dirty Edie’s floors with it. Do you want me to heal it?”
He’d completely forgot about the cut he’d used for the portal. “It’ll heal quickly on its own, but thank you.”
Rose murmured softly in her sleep, her brow furrowing as she shifted in bed.
“You mentioned she had a run-in with a Gryndor demon?” Damian asked. “I’ve faced off with a few through the years, and this is a pretty severe reaction, isn’t it? I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one like this.”
“It was a female. The Mate to the three you two captured a few weeks back. She caused quite the scene in Times Square, and Rose, being Rose, intervened when the she-demon went after a little boy.”
That sounded like Rose, alright, but what he knew that Olive didn’t was she’d been put in that position by his brother.
“Olive, dear.” Edie walked into the room. “Can you help Vi get the kitchen back to rights? I’ll get Rose to drink a few drops of tea and then I’ll be along in a bit to help.”
“Of course, Gran.” Olive gave him a small smile and left him alone with the Prima.
“Do you mind if I stay here with Rose?” Damian gestured to the chair next to the window. “I’d like to be here when she wakes up.”
“Knock yourself out, my boy. Just not literally. These massive healings take a lot out of these old bones.” The Prima smiled warmly, and gently brought the mug to Rose’s lips where she sipped it once before falling still again. “But I should warn you not to expect her eyes to open anytime soon. She’ll be asleep for the next few hours, if not a day. Ridding the body of Gryndor toxin isn’t a quick process.”
“Consider me warned, Prima Maxwell.”
She winked. “Call me Edie… unless I have reason to be cross with you. Then you can call me Your Worst Nightmare.”
Damian chuckled softly, and when the Prima left him alone with Rose, he pulled the corner chair next to the bed and reached for her hand. Her skin was cool to the touch. He missed her usual warmth instantly, and tried his best to gently rub heat into her fingers.
His heart still hadn’t fully returned to his chest, partly clogging his throat ever since he’d answered Julius’s phone call.
He’d lost track of time when he sensed an unwelcome presence hovering outside the door. Damian stiffened but refused to relinquish his hold or his attention on the woman in front of him.
“If you know what’s good for you,brother,you’ll be gone before she wakes up,” Damian warned, knowing his brother’s scent anywhere.
From the doorway, Julius murmured quietly, “I really am sorry, Damian. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, you shouldn’t have.” Damian growled quietly, his demon once again pushing close to the surface. He took a deep breath before barely turning his head toward his brother. “And we’ll be talking about that at another time that’s not now.”
“I understand.” Jules nodded grimly, and turned to leave.
“And Julius?”
His brother glanced back at him warily. “Yes?”
“Find someone else to do your dirty work because both Rose and I are officially done. Push me on it, or go around me, and you’ll get a firsthand glimpse of the beast you so desperately want me to embrace.”
