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“Thank you.” I scoop Leo in my arms and exhale a loud, relieved breath, holding his body as close to me as possible.

Lorcan was right. These hunters are after me. They aren’t going after Soren or Glenn. Only me. Ceroes has to be behind this.

After what he did to my mate, no one is going to be safe from my rage.

I’m going to rip that hunter’s head from his neck and use his bow as a pike to put it on.

No one is safe from this moment on.

The steady thud of footsteps causes me to wake up. Before my eyes can adjust, I gasp, remembering an arrow piercing my chest. I frantically touch where it was, searching for any sign that it happened.

Did I imagine it? Was it a bad dream?

“Leo!” Alaska is at my side, his hands frantic as he glides them over my head, my face, even my chest. “Leo, talk to me. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Do you remember anything? Do you need anything? How’s your breathing? Are you in pain? What do you need? Can you see? Hear?” He rattles off question after question so fast, I can only understand every other word.

I reach for his cheek, and he snags my hand as if he’s been waiting for me to touch him. He presses into my palm, his eyes closing, and that’s when I see the tear drop down his cheek.

“Hey—” I croak. “I’m okay, Alaska. I’m okay, Sunshine. A little thirsty. Other than that, I’m okay. Breathe.”

He nods, his mouth frowning, his shoulders shaking as a wave of emotion hits him, which directly sinks into me.

He’s been scared. He thought he lost me.

I’m not nervous. I want him to relax, which is why I ask, “Did you know peanuts aren’t actually nuts? They’re legumes.”

Alaska chuckles, finally opening his eyes for me to see. They are swollen and red-rimmed. His lashes are like spikes from the tears soaking them. His laugh turns to small cries as he kisses up my wrist, my arm, to my neck, cheek, and then his lips are on mine.

“I thought I lost you. It was terrible. I panicked. Let me look at you.” Alaska sits on the edge of the bed, checking my body again. His fingers slide over my chest. Right where the arrow was. “You’re healed. Doesn’t even look like you nearly died.” He inhales, looking up at the ceiling to gather his emotions. “You’ve been out for a full twenty-four hours.”

“Woah, seriously? What happened? I don’t understand why I’d be out for so long.” I sit up, and I wait for any kind of pain to hit me, but I feel better than I ever have.

If anything, I’m full of energy.

“The arrow was poisoned with bloodroot, so when I tried to give you my blood, they clashed, causing a seizure and red foam to spill from your wound and mouth. Lorcan came to help. My tears are what worked in the end.”

“So the arrow was for me.”

He nods, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. “Yes. It was a strategy. Kill you to weaken me. I’d be an easier target because I’d eventually weaken and die without you.”

“I’m getting really tired of him.”

“Me too.”

I look at him, really look at him. His shoulder-length hair is a mess. He has dark circles under his eyes like he hasn’t slept the entire time I’ve been in his bed.

“Have you slept, Sunshine?”

“Sleep? Fuck no! I wasn’t going to sleep. I watched over you. I made sure you were breathing. I might have laid my head on your chest a few times just to hear your heartbeat. You don’t know how afraid I truly was, Helios. Losing you…it isn’t an option, and it can never be an option.”

I press my chin to his shoulder, my hand resting on his leg. He’s still in the same outfit from the fire. There’s soot all over him. He really didn’t leave my side.

“You scared me,” he admits. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more terrified in my life.”

“I’m okay. I’m right here. Thanks to you. You’ve saved me twice, Alaska. Without you, I’d be dead. I’m okay, Sunshine. I’m right here.” I kiss his shoulder and reach to place my hand on his neck, then get a slight whiff of my underarm.

Immediately, I tuck my arms at my sides.

“What’s wrong?” Alaska’s on alert, checking me for the source of my discomfort.