SEBASTIAN
Gathering my wife in my arms, my shadows flitted around me as I pushed myself to my feet. Luna’s eyes were shut, and she was gasping for air.
Alive.
She was alive.
For now.
The Binding Mark burned, and pain coursed through our connection. I had to get her out of here. She was the only thing that mattered. That was why I made the deal with Mother.
A promise for my wife’s life.
I would have done anything. Given everything. I couldn’t let history repeat itself. Athena died because I’d been too weak, but I could save Luna.
“Remember Sebastian,” Mother crooned from behind me. “You owe me.”
I nodded tersely. I didn’t trust myself to speak. Not right now. If I did, I might do something idiotic like attack the queen and challenge her for the throne. Though I was strong, I wasn’t capable of winning.
Not yet.
Wrapping my wings tightly around my wife, I pulled on my shadows. Luna whimpered as we moved through the darkness, but she didn’t wake. The moment my feet landed on the stone floor, I hurried over to the bed, kicking my boots off on the way.
Stupid.
I was so, so stupid. I should never have taken Luna to see Mother. Hells, I knew the queen was volatile. I’d seen her rip the hearts out of vampires for indiscretions far lesser than talking back to her.
Luna’s breath rattled in her chest, and already, dark purple and black bruises bloomed on her neck. The sight of them was like a dagger to my heart. This was my fault.
Pulling my wings back into myself, I bent and placed my wife as gently as I could on the bed. I reached down, pulling off her slipper, just as her eyes fluttered open.
“I’m still alive,” Luna rasped.
My throat felt swollen as a tear threatened to escape my eyes. “Yes.”
Her eyes widened, and she licked her lips as she tried to form words. “Why didn’t she kill me?”
“I… made her a promise.”
Luna gasped, “What?”
Shaking my head, I pulled off my wife’s other slipper. “It’s not important. All that matters is that you’re alive.”
That was the only thing that mattered to me these days.
Flinging open the trunk at the foot of the bed, I gathered a pile of blankets in my arms. When I straightened, Luna was watching me from the mound of pillows.
She coughed, her usually tanned face alarmingly pale, as she said, “Your mother is… not delightful.”
A rough laugh escaped me as I spread a heavy blanket over Luna. Not delightful was an understatement of epic proportions.
Perching on the edge of the mattress, I sighed. Raising my hand, I ran my fingers over Luna’s cheek. She drew in a sharp breath, and I bent, pressing my forehead against hers. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I messed up.”
“Why are you sorry?” She tried to push herself up, but her movements were unsteady.
I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Don’t.”
Luna didn’t fight as I gently pushed her back onto the pillow. That told me everything I needed to know about the extent of her injuries.