Page 8 of A Bond So Deadly

“Never do that again, little one,” Alaric adds gruffly.

I grin, sniffling when everyone pulls back.

“You nearly died,” Blake tells me with disapproval, gripping my shoulders. “What were you thinking?”

“Me? But I didn’t—” I frown. “Okay, so I may have done some things to get me into this mess, but most of it was out of my control, I swear.”

Blake doesn’t exactly look convinced, but then she turns her accusing gaze on my mates like they’re the ones to blame for putting me in harm’s way. They all stare back at her, not saying a single thing. For a moment, I think Blake is going to scold them like an overbearing mother, and as funny as that would be to watch, I decide it’s best if we avoid an argument.

“I knew you’d find me,” I blurt, trying to dissolve the tension.

That successfully gets Blake’s attention back on me. Her brows knit together, her expression troubled. “Well, I didn’t.” Now that the shadow queen is gone, Blake’s normally strong voice wavers. Her fingers grip my shoulders tightly. “Shade, we thought you were gone. If it wasn’t for the signal you sent via your ring, we never would have found you.”

“What signal?” Thane asks.

My mates shoot their questioning gazes at me. Not upset, but definitely confused.

“So it did do something,” I muse, rubbing my portal ring absently.

“Why did you wait so long to contact me?” Blake asks unable to hide the pain on her face.

I hug her again, not sure if the extra contact is more for her or for me. “I didn’t think it would work, and even if it did, I was worried Queen Krosia would detect the magic and have questions.”

My friend blows out a long breath, and guilt weighs on me. I’d known Blake would be worried, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen her so rattled.

“I’m sorry that it took me so long, and I’m sorry that you’re in this mess,” I say.

She sighs. “Don’t be. We found you in any case, and I knew what I was doing by bringing the demon army here. Besides, when Sebastian and a few of my other generals heard you were missing, they were all just as eager to come find you. I think you underestimate how much influence you have in the demon realm.”

I shake my head. “I’m a nobody.”

“No,” Blake counters. “You helped us win the battle against Reselle. To the demon soldiers, you’re one of us, and that means you’re worth fighting for. Besides, they’ve been getting restless lately. I’m sure they enjoyed the distraction.”

Blake’s hold on me has loosened, but she keeps her hands on my shoulders like she’s reluctant to let me go.

“You should follow Queen Krosia to the palace,” Thane advises, indicating to Jovik and Virelle who wait nearby to escort my friend and her mates. “Better not give her too much time to strategize before your arrival.”

Blake gives him a grateful look, though Ambrose huffs like he thinks Thane is betraying their kind by saying such a thing.

“He’s right, my beloved,” Mason agrees, Blake’s centaur shifter mate being the voice of reason. “It is not wise to keep her waiting, and the sooner we get these discussions over with the better. This is a fragile agreement that has been forged. Let us not risk it ending before it has truly formed.”

Blake stares at me reluctantly. “But we’ve only just found her…”

I give Blake a wry grin. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

“And nothing bad will happen to her while you’re away,” Thane adds. “I promise you.”

That makes Blake smile.

Seizing the opportunity, Raith grabs me again, and the monster starts unashamedly sniffing my hair inappropriately like he’s trying to consume my scent.

Blake gives him a strange look, and Dante chuckles. “Something tells me, they may need a moment alone anyway.”

My cheeks flush, and Blake grins at my embarrassment.

“We shall take care of her, demon queen,” Galen says, his voice sincere as he reassures my friend.

Blake’s smile falls as she stares down my mates. “If I find a single scratch on her when we return…”