“At the speed you were going? That’s where you landed?”
“Calm down. I didn’t exactly have a choice.”
“I’ll grab Nicolas and be there in two seconds.”
My belly rolled, and I bit back bile. “I’m sorry I argued with you.”
“Which argument?”
“All of them.” Blood dribbled from my mouth and pooled on his pillow. “Hurry.”
“I’m almost there.” The air stirred, and Guy’s guttural groan echoed around the room. He knelt and carefully took my hand. “I’m here. Stay very still. The healer will fix this.”
A tall warrior with a whiskered jaw and intense blue eyes bent and peered at me. A light radiated in a gentle glow all around him. “I’m hallucinating. He looks like an angel.”
The man laid a hand on my head. “Where does it hurt? The most?”
“You should ask me where it doesn’t hurt.”
“Gotcha.” His hand was warm. No, more than that. His healing-heat increased in strength and blasted out. “I’m Nicolas, one of the leading eight.”
“Nice to meet you.” I didn’t care who he was, as long as he took this pain away.
“Take it easy. Do you not have the skill to fast-heal?”
“No, and I’m kinda wishing I did.”
“Silvie.” Guy stroked my fingers, his tone a warning.
“It looks worse than it is.”
“It looks pretty bad.”
“I survived, and see, I’m arguing with you again. That’s a good sign.”
Nicolas glided his hands down my body. His aura glowed brighter, his touch hotter. “There isn’t anything I can’t fix. Let me get started.”
“What did she break?” Guy tucked my hair behind my ear.
“So far I’ve got a punctured lung from a broken rib, a ruptured spleen, and some internal bleeding.” His wicked heat radiated to all those places, and then traveled down my spine. “She’s crushed two of her lower vertebrae, dislocated her hips and—”
“You know, Nicolas,” I wriggled my fingers within Guy’s as the feeling returned to them. “You’d be more helpful without the commentary.”
Nicolas switched his gaze to Guy. “She’s your mate?”
“Cousin.”
“No, she’s not. As I heal, I can feel the mated bond pulsing between you both.”
I hiccupped as my damaged lung inflated and tingled anew. “We’re mated, but not doing anything about it.”
“It’s okay if your relationship is new and you’re wary.” He slid his hands carefully under my lower back, until his fingers rested over my spine. The nerves pinched together, and feeling flooded back.
Guy cleared his throat. “Silvie is a Moyer, and we’re distantly related. We just can’t go there.”
“So, you’re truly cousins?” Nicolas looked between Guy and me.
“Far-removed, but yes,” Guy answered.
Nicolas ran his hands over my thighs and down my legs. “There’s one break and a twisted ankle. I can heal both, but you’ll have to take it easy. Your balance will be off.”
“I’ll rest.”
“Good.” He smoothed around my calves and continued to work down until he’d encircled my feet. Bones popped and refused. His golden glow slowly diminished. “The healing is complete.” He rose to his full towering height. “But take care, as I said. You’ll be extremely sore for a few days.”
Compassion shone in his eyes.
“Thank you, Nicolas.” Now, that was something I never thought I’d say to a warrior.
And now, what did I say to Guy?
9
“You’re not to move.” Guy paced the short space at the end of the room after Nicolas had left. He shoved his tan shirtsleeves up.
“So far I haven’t.” I rubbed my achy chest. What could I do to calm him?
“How bad is the pain?” He knelt beside me.
“I can handle it, with some bed rest. You couldn’t whip to Earth and grab me some pain killers, could you?” Keeping him busy might help.
“I’ll do better than that. I’ll take you home. You should be with your family, not here amongst strangers.”
“You’re not a stranger, and I’ve got the girls’ problem to deal with.”
“You can deal with that after you’ve rested. Nicolas said a couple of days.” His pale blue gaze swept me from head to toe. “How could I have let this happen?”
“I heard him, but I should still stay.” I gripped his hand. “Please stop blaming yourself. This isn’t your fault.”
“On both those counts we disagree.” He scooped me up with the gentlest touch. “You’re going home. Enough damage has been done here. Close your eyes.”
“Can’t we at least talk about this?”
“We’ve already talked. Close your eyes or I’ll blindfold you.”
“You’re so obstinate.” Still, I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“Keep your eyes shut.”