Heart of the High King (D'Vaire, Book 19)

by Jessamyn Kingley

  Then Dr. Suricata had started the transfusion, followed by Aleksander barging in to seal his matebond. When Aleksander’s notoriously powerful beast had done that, Rafe’s body had gone into overdrive. It took a quarter of an hour to fix his ankle and the rod in his leg not much longer than that. Although he was swelling, it wasn’t fast enough to alarm anyone, so they’d moved on to his internal damage.

  The magic was sticking to his cells and moving through him no matter how they pinpointed a single area. With each strike of the clock, they were able to check another thing off their list and so the men in the room with warlock, necro, and wizard blood had started funneling power into Saura and T’Eirick. There was no consensus on what was possible; they didn’t need words to press on, and so they had.

  “I want another transfusion,” Dr. Suricata stated. “I’ll go get Aleksander to donate more. The swelling is picking up, and I’d prefer not to stop.”

  “We can take him straight into the room with the Cwylld stones if things get dangerous,” T’Eirick said when Dr. Suricata raced out of the room. “His vitals are still steady?”

  “First time in my career I’ve seen someone steadily improve as the day has gone on,” the anesthesiologist mused. “His Highness’s dragon is in another league.”

  Dr. Suricata returned and raced to check on her patient. “I’m going to order a CT scan after we’re done to make sure we haven’t missed anything inside. There was massive damage in there, and I don’t want to cut him open to see how we’re doing with the healing.”

  “When I finished with the colon, the magic shoved back at me,” T’Eirick revealed. “I do believe we can tell when we’ve completed a spot but like you, I wouldn’t mind some proof that we’re completing our tasks.”

  “I’ll order some labs to make sure we’ve eradicated the cancer. I know Aleksander’s blood is helping him, but the reality is, it’s going to dissipate, and we can’t keep transfusing him forever. We’ll overwhelm his system. I’m anxious to see what happens with the aging once he’s himself again.”

  Dra’Kaedan hiccupped, and his cousin Scheredin used a little magic to clean his face. “Won’t their matebond help keep that in check?”

  “I have no idea, so we’ll keep an eye on it.”

  “The kidney is finished,” Saura stated. “I’m going to start on the lung.”

  “I can’t even believe we’re doing this right now,” Dre’Kariston remarked. “We thought we were coming in here to fix his hips. And now…”

  “And now, we’ll be restoring him completely,” Dr. Suricata enthused. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m definitely going to be writing a paper about Rafe and what we accomplished with his determination, medicine, and now magic. Although I can’t publish it until after his case is solved, since I don’t want to impact the outcome, I want everyone to know his incredible journey.”

  “The only thing Sorcery D’Vaire will have left to do after today is figure out if there’s a way to assist him in regaining his dragon,” Chander remarked. “Even if I could find his dragon across the veil, I can’t resurrect it like I did with Drystan and Conley. You can’t put something dead into a living man.”

  “Pretty sure dead things go into you on a regular basis,” Dra’Kaedan quipped, causing Chander to give him a cheeky grin.

  “Yes, that’s definitely going to be a project for us, and we will need to think of something. Along with finding a treatment or cure for those shifters who are intolerant,” Vadimas stated with a glare for Dra’Kaedan.

  “Any chance I could contact you should I run into medical issues with no progress on treatments or cures?” Dr. Suricata asked, making her way around the table without getting in the way of the darkfallen to observe the changes happening to Rafe’s body.

  “We would absolutely welcome your ideas and suggestions for things,” Severin assured her.”

  “Wonderful, thank you,” Dr. Suricata said. “I already know the astounding medicines you’ve supplied to the medical world, Grigori, and there are all the celebrated things the Spectra Wizardry has given us. I think sometimes our progress is stalled by shifters who run most hospitals who often fail to see the full value of sorcery. I wish I could have the entire staff in here watching you essentially bring Rafe back to life.”

  “Hey, I’m just glad I didn’t have to actually resurrect him,” Chander remarked. “I love being a necromancer, but there’s a big difference between pulling an unknown soul and having to watch two mates lose one another.”

  Another tear slipped down Dra’Kaedan’s cheek. “I can’t stop thinking about how Aleksander’s going to react when he finds out what we’ve done in here.”

  “Take a look at this,” Dr. Suricata enthused. “The gray in his hair is turning blue.”

  Renny scrambled to his feet next to him, and Dra’Kaedan did the same without disturbing the stream he was still efficiently fueling into his mother. Dra’Kaedan walked over to join Dr. Suricata, and she pulled back the cap Rafe had donned in the operating room. Sure enough, the gray in his hair was as navy as Aleksander’s dragon.

  “The scars and wrinkles are nearly gone,” Renny whispered reverently.

  “It won’t be long now,” T’Eirick said. “We’re going to be finished soon, and Rafe will get to finally be with Aleksander, unfettered by his physical limitations.”

  “Let’s just hope he’s not pissed that I okayed that blood transfusion,” Dr. Suricata said. She smiled and lifted her shoulders in a tiny shrug. “He was right on the cusp. I had two choices. I could’ve stopped the procedure and allowed his body to replenish it on his own. However, I decided it would be better for his overall health if I chose a more aggressive approach. I have no regrets, and he can hate me if he wants but now, he’s going to have a wonderful life, which he greatly deserves.”

  “Nice job, Dr. Suricata,” Renny enthused. “How very D’Vaire of you.”

  “We’re nearly done,” Saura remarked, her voice heavy with fatigue.

  “Thank Fate, we’re going to run out of magic soon,” Dra’Kaedan told her. “And his swelling is still increasing.”

  There was a knock at the door, and a nurse walked in holding a fresh bag of Aleksander’s blood.

  “And here’s our mighty dragon helper now,” Dr. Suricata said, snagging it and attaching it to Rafe’s IV. “This should help with the swelling and give us that last push toward the finish line. And, if anyone asks me in the future, I’m going to tell them that nothing in this world compares to the people of D’Vaire.”

  “We couldn’t ask for a finer compliment,” T’Eirick told her. “And you kept Rafe alive and got him to his feet when it should’ve been impossible.”

  “It didn’t surprise me when I found out he was a High King. There’s no doubt in my mind that Fate picked well for such a distinguished title.”

  “Yeah,” Dra’Kaedan said with a watery smile. “I can’t wait for the opportunity to watch our High Kings enjoy their lives together.”

  Chapter 42

  “I’m going to lose my mind,” Aleksander muttered.

  “You’re also going to lose this game,” Worth snarked, knocking Aleksander’s game piece back home. “Sorry.”

  “Be patient,” Brogan suggested for probably the millionth time that day. “Rafe’s going to be fine.”

  Aleksander’s fingers flexed, and he desperately wanted to punch his best friend for his “helpful” advice. Eight hours had passed since Rafe was wheeled into the operating room, and he’d been told right from the beginning that in his weakened state he wasn’t going to tolerate anesthesia for long, so why was he still waiting to see him? As he opened his mouth to lay into Brogan, the door swung open, revealing a bevy of exhausted sorcerers. T’Eirick and Saura were already asleep in the arms of the Daemon Lords who protected the Arch Lich while the man himself was yawning as he held Alaric’s hand.

  Brogan scooped up Dra’Kaedan and barked orders at the other men, who were each getting to their feet to grab someone as Dr
. Suricata pushed her way to the front of the group. Her eyes were bright with excitement, and her smile was teeming with it as well.

  “Rafe’s on his way to have a CT scan; then we’re going to get him to his copper-lined room,” Dr. Suricata said. “We want to double-check to make sure we left no stone unturned in our healing.”

  “I want to see him,” Aleksander blurted out.

  “As soon as we get him settled and awake, which should take an hour or so, we’ll get you right in there. I know you’re anxious to see him, but I can assure you, he’s doing very well. He’s swollen and we expect that to increase, but otherwise he’s fully healed.”

  Aleksander went weak in the knees, and if Worth wasn’t standing right next to him, he probably would’ve fallen. “I’m sorry, what?”

  Dr. Suricata reached out and patted Aleksander’s arm. “Unbelievable, right? Thanks to your blood and this incredible team of sorcerers, we were able to remove every scar, regrow every part of him that was missing or damaged. We’ll do some blood work over the coming days and weeks to keep an eye out on the aging and to stay on top of any issues, but at least we know we can heal anything we run into. Rafe’s as good as new.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” Aleksander managed, his eyes welling with tears. Rafe was wonderfully his in any shape, but to know that he was healthy again was a profound relief.

  “Killian, get these sorcerers home. They’ve earned their rest,” Dr. Suricata said. “I’ll come and get you when Rafe wakes. For now, just relax and start making plans for how to celebrate not only his new lease on life but your matebond.”

  “Thank you so much, Dr. Suricata.”

  She grinned and left the room to care for his other half, and Aleksander was helpless to find the words he owed Sorcery D’Vaire. His eyes met Dra’Kaedan’s, and the warlock smirked.

  “Don’t you even start, Bigfoot. He’s ours too. Okay, maybe not in the same way he belongs to you, but it was our pleasure to fix him. But we can argue about it later. I gotta get my parents tucked in.”

  “Yeah, Squirt, you do that,” Aleksander said, and he grabbed Renny from Dravyn, who scooped up Dre’Kariston’s familiar, Lucian. Then Killian teleported them back to the mansion.

  “I’ve cried so much, I might need to drink eight gallons of water,” Renny mused quietly.

  D’Vaires sprang into action, opening bedroom doors as Aleksander strode down the hall. Larissa pushed Renny’s ajar, and once Aleksander laid him on the bed, he got his shoes off and helped him under the blankets.

  “I’ll get Noir to bring you something to eat and drink unless you want to go straight to sleep,” Aleksander told him.

  “I could eat, thanks.”

  “Thank you, Renny. I appreciate everything you and your team did today.”

  The warlock familiar grinned. “It was so awesome. Wait until you see him.”

  Because Aleksander wanted to get back to the hospital and not blubber over Renny, he hugged him. Then he and Larissa went around making sure everyone was settled. Noirin and Kendrick carried trays brimming with food for the warriors who’d saved Rafe.

  Killian appeared with Dravyn. “You have your overnight bag?”

  “Yeah, and Rafe’s too, but I want to go check on Mortis,” Aleksander replied, jogging to Rafe’s room. Mortis was curled in his giant doggy bed, still tranquilized, and Aleksander gave him a few pets. The wolf would likely wake soon and be thrilled to find out that Rafe was healed. There was something different about him, and it took Aleksander a moment to figure out that the gray streaks through his fur were now navy blue. Puzzled by the change, Aleksander would question Sorcery D’Vaire after they had a chance to sleep.

  “Hey, Aleksander,” Somerly called out, running to Aleksander as he emerged from Rafe’s room.

  “What’s up? Shouldn’t you be with Dre’Kariston?”

  “He sent me. Dre’Kariston wants to know if you wish for him to line your bedroom with copper. Your matebond’s completed; it might be nice for you to move Rafe into your suite,” Somerly replied.

  “If it’s not too taxing for him, yes.”

  “He’ll take care of it in the morning when he’s a bit replenished,” Somerly answered with an embrace for Aleksander. “I’m so happy for you and Rafe. See you later.” His youngest brother took off and disappeared into the space he shared with the Grand Summoner.

  Mac, Brogan, and Worth were huddled around Killian and Dravyn with their bags by the time Aleksander joined the pair. “Let’s get you guys to the hospital,” the leader of the druids stated. Aleksander closed his eyes as he was teleported back and once they arrived, Killian took Dravyn’s face in his hands to drag his head down and kissed him thoroughly.

  “I’ll miss you, Dragon Boy.”

  “I love you, Killer. I’ll call you in a bit.”

  After Killian returned to D’Vaire, they went to the waiting room, and Aleksander sat heavily. “I don’t think I’ve grasped what’s happened yet,” he murmured.

  “Perhaps when you see him, it’ll be easier to comprehend,” Worth suggested.

  “All you have to do is be patient for a little while longer,” Brogan added.

  Aleksander glared. “I’m going to choke you if you tell me that again.”

  “Relax, you’re just scared that he’s going to wake up and kill you for completing your matebond,” Brogan chided.

  “If you’re lucky, he’ll be so excited about being healed that he’ll forgive you,” Mac remarked.

  “At least he’ll be too swollen to chase you if you run,” Dravyn said.

  His mouth flattened in a line as Aleksander pondered which of his dukes he wanted to hurt first, but he didn’t bother arguing with the idiots. In less than an hour, he’d be at Rafe’s side, and he would get to see for himself the incredible success that Sorcery D’Vaire had accomplished. Aleksander couldn’t wait.

  ∞∞∞

  When Rafe lifted his lashes, he was acutely aware something was different. Woozy from the medication humming through his veins, he realized it was his soul that was altered, and when it dawned on Rafe that his matebond was nearly completed, he had no idea how to react. The one thing he hadn’t wanted was to be tied to Aleksander for eternity in his broken body, and somehow the unthinkable had happened. Tears flowed as he ached for the man he’d betrayed simply by returning to his home. Aleksander deserved better than what Rafe could offer, and when the door to his room swung open to reveal the man in question with several of his dukes, it only made him cry harder.

  “Hey, none of that. What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” Aleksander asked, stalking to his bedside.

  “I told you I didn’t want our bond completed,” Rafe managed. “I’m stuck in this horrible body, and no one can fix me.”

  Aleksander lowered the bar on Rafe’s bed and grabbed his hand. “You know that doesn’t matter to me. I’ve never had any issue with the way you look. The only thing I want is your heart.”

  Rafe clutched at Aleksander as his chest heaved. “You already have that. I just wanted to be whole for you.”

  Aleksander used his thumb to collect Rafe’s tears. “I have some big news for you.”

  “I already know our matebond is completed.”

  “Babe, please calm down,” Aleksander begged. “And that’s not what I was going to say. They fixed you, Rafe.”

  “My hips are better?”

  His mate’s smile was gorgeous. “They are, and so is everything else. Sorcery D’Vaire and Dr. Suricata and her team managed to heal everything. There isn’t a wound or scar left.”

  Rafe frowned and he couldn’t understand how Aleksander thought that if his hips were mended he was fully restored. “I’m stuck this way forever.”

  “If you mean with me, then yes. You certainly are. Now get some rest. You’ve been through a lot, and you’re really swollen.”

  “But—”

  Rafe was silenced by a soft kiss, and though he wanted to enjoy the feel of Aleksander’s lips against
his, he was mired in disappointment and grief over his mate’s eternal sentence with him.

  “You need to sleep,” Aleksander whispered, brushing away more moisture from Rafe’s skin. “We’ll talk after you wake up, okay?”

  Like a dummy, Rafe nodded, and although he would never tire of looking at the perfect symmetry of Aleksander’s face, he allowed his lashes to fall. His eyes felt heavy and gritty while the rest of him was floaty and disconnected. Rafe was grateful that his hips would no longer be an area of concern and that he wouldn’t have to handle the chore of keeping them free from infection. It might allow him to walk farther if he worked hard, and Rafe vowed to do that once he was out of the hospital. And just as soon as he woke up, he was going to demand that he be released so he could get to D’Vaire.

  A fresh wave of misery swept through him as he thought about his wishes being ignored and the High King of D’Vaire being tied to his pitiful self for eternity. His hand was still in Aleksander’s, and the dragon was stroking him gently, no doubt trying to calm him because Rafe was still crying.

  “You’ll feel better when the drugs wear off,” Aleksander told him softly. “Just get some rest and we’ll talk, okay? I promise you everything is going to work out. Trust me.”

  “I do trust you.”

  Aleksander put a finger against Rafe’s mouth as he dropped a kiss on his forehead. “No talking. Go to sleep.”

  Rafe simply nodded as Aleksander went back to running his fingertips on the skin of his hand.

  “It’s been a long day, and you need time to recuperate.”

  His voice was becoming almost hypnotic, and Rafe welcomed the idea of escaping from this new phase of hell that he’d entered. Signing the consent form had allowed this atrocity to happen, and there was no guarantee that just because his open sores were gone that Sorcery D’Vaire could do anything about the rest of his issues. Now that he would live forever, Rafe bemoaned that he would have to do it in his condition. While Aleksander might be optimistic, his upbeat attitude would disappear when he faced reality.