by Brenda Trim
All the fear and fight left her. She laid there staring at the ceiling above, making a mental note to tell Elysia there were cobwebs. The movie reached a critical point. She wanted to cheer for them to beat Thanos but couldn’t find her voice.
Spots danced in her vision as her oxygen deprivation hit a critical level. As if sensing she’d given up, Troy’s hand left her throat and cool air rushed into her lungs. For a second, Izzy considered trying to teleport again, but knew nothing would happen. No way could she concentrate enough to get out of the predicament.
Suddenly, Troy yanked her bra, splitting in open in the front. With him hovering over her, he twisted her flesh once again. Pain burned along every nerve ending, and she couldn’t stop the scream that left her throat that time.
Troy’s fist pulled back and before she realized what he intended, it connected with her cheek bone. Her head flew to the side and she bit the inside of her cheek. Blood welled in her mouth, but there was no time to focus on that.
Troy lifted his hips and reached for the button of her pants. It was like lighting a match to her anger. Izzy yelled at him and once again started fighting him. Her fists pounded on his chest while she pulled her knees to her chest, or tried to, anyway.
Izzy’s next fist missed its mark when Troy went sailing through the air. The sound of glass breaking and hitting the stone floor, coupled with the cessation of the movie told her Troy hit the screen.
Stunned, but unwilling to be in a vulnerable position any longer, Izzy jumped to her feet. At first, she assumed her telekinesis kicked into gear and threw Troy off her.
A furious Donovan told her that didn’t happen. Izzy’s gaze met Donovan’s familiar blue eyes and she knew help had come. She was safe. He would protect her now. She sagged against the wall and tried to catch her breath. When Donovan’s eyes traveled down her body, she realized her top was torn, along with, her bra.
With a loud roar, Donovan flew at Troy. Izzy clutched the sides of her top together and winced when her breast throbbed. Troy partially shifted but couldn’t take his dragon form in the small room. Talons and human hands clashed violently.
Donovan shoved Troy and his fist connected with Troy’s face. Troy slashed Donovan’s chest with a talon, slicing the flesh open in a diagonal line. Blood welled immediately and dripped to the floor.
“Stop it!” Izzy screamed to be heard over the fighting. She wasn’t concerned for Troy, but she feared what might happen to Donovan. Neither male listened to her, and kept hitting and kicking each other.
Jumping into the air, Troy aimed his body toward Donovan. A second later a loud snap, like a branch breaking was followed by Donovan howling. “You will fucking pay for hurting her,” Donovan promised as he limped on one leg. Izzy had no doubt his other leg was broken, yet that didn’t stop him from attacking Troy.
“She belongs to me, asshole,” Troy countered. “And, I will do whatever the fuck I want to her.”
That set Donovan into a rage. Izzy watched as Donovan bent down and picked up a large piece of glass from the broken screen. Before she could process what he was going to do, several things happened.
Keira, Pema, and Donovan’s stepmom rushed into the room at the same moment Troy lunged for Donovan. The two grappled with each other. Troy aimed a talon at Donovan’s throat, and Donovan used the glass while ducking. Troy’s talon barely cut a slice down the side of Donovan’s neck while the glass landed in the side of Troy’s neck. Blood spurted from the grievous wound.
Isis screamed, “No!”
Keira came running up to Izzy and reached for her. “Oh, Gods. You’re bleeding. Are you okay, Isobel?”
Pema chanted a spell that froze Troy where he landed in a heap of his blood.
Izzy looked up from Troy to the Cuelebre Queen and burst into tears. “No. I’m not okay. I want my mom.” As sobs wracked her body, Izzy felt Donovan’s arms wrap carefully around her waist. She turned and buried her face in his chest.
“What happened?” Isis demanded. Several thudding footsteps could be heard in the hallway and Izzy tried to turn away so no one could see her.
A soft hand landed on her back, making Izzy lift her head from Donovan’s chest. It was Isis and her sister, Pema. Keira was next to the door shouting orders to get Dyson.
“H…h…he,” Izzy stammered as tears flowed from her eyes unchecked. “He tried to…he wanted to…”
“Shhh. It’s okay. You don’t have to explain right now,” Keira reassured her. “Let’s get you cleaned up and then we will talk.”
Izzy nodded her head and tried to stifle the pain in her body from being tossed around by Troy. She had no desire to relive the most horrific moments of her life. She wanted to go home to her parents and never talk about this again.
When Keira was leading her away, Dyson rushed into the room and crouched next to Troy. He did a quick assessment then glanced at the queen who had paused in taking her leave of the room. “There’s nothing I can do for him,” the Mundunugu announced.
Dred filled Izzy’s heart. Not for the male that tried to hurt her in the most despicable way, but because that didn’t bode well for Donovan. That hollow numb feeling swallowed Izzy, making her stumble. By the time Donovan caught her, darkness took over, and she passed out. The last thing she heard was Donovan murmuring, “I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you.”
* * *
Chapter 19
Finn struggled to shove his legs through the pants Legette threw to him when he landed with Elsie and the baby, Cian, a few seconds ago. Elsie shoved the baby into Zander’s arms the second he slid off Blaine’s back then took off like a bullet shot from a gun.
“Where’s my daughter?” Zander demanded of Legette without pausing in his haste to catch his wife. Jace was off Slate and right on their heels, and Finn noticed the leather bag bouncing on his hip. He winced and prayed the male didn’t lose the antidote.
Finn stomach was in knots from the moment they set down on the castle wall. The Maahes patrolling called Legette, and Finn’s boss met them when they landed. That didn’t bode well for the situation.
It was obvious from the royal couple’s haste to arrive in Khoth that something was seriously wrong. Finn was careful while flying due to his precious cargo, but he pushed his wings as fast as he was able.
The entire trip Finn’s senses were on high alert, scanning the forest and searching for any sign of an attack. He was certain Cyril pulled another stunt and Izzy paid the price. When there was no sign of a problem, he relaxed slightly. Now, that assumption seemed ridiculous.
If anything, Elsie was even more frantic. Her fear, anger, and concern left a bitter smell in Finn’s dragon nose. Shifting to avoid more of the acrid scent that went along with the Vampire Queen’s emotions was a blessing.
“Izzy is alive,” Legette assured Zander and Elsie. That was an odd choice of words, Finn thought.
“I want to see my daughter now!” Zander demanded.
Elsie was crying now and shaking as she entered the castle. “We never should have left her. It’s all my fault.”
“Nay, a ghra. ‘Tis no’ your fault,” Zander promised. The vampire king was cradling their son to his chest and patting the baby’s back. It was clear the infant was sensitive to the situation as he started crying softly and reaching his tiny hands toward his mom.
Taking the stairs at a rapid pace, Finn’s anxiety increased when he heard a commotion and shouting on the next level. They weren’t far from the throne room. Finn hurried to get in front of the royal coupl
e but stopped when he caught sight of the situation.
Isis was screaming at a pair of Maahes while Donovan carried an unconscious Izzy. The vampire princess looked like a troop of Buggane attacked her. Bruises covered her face and neck while her shirt appeared to be ripped and was bloody. It wasn’t clear if Donovan’s blood covered her, or of it was hers.
Elsie screamed and ran forward. “Isobel! Oh, sweetheart.”
Zander turned to Finn and thrust baby Cian into his arms and was taking Izzy into his arms before Finn could open his mouth to object. Holding the infant in his arms, Finn followed the group inside the throne room.
Donovan ignored everyone around him and stayed glued to Zander’s side as the king carried his daughter. Finn had never seen Angus so upset in his life. The Cuelebre King was livid.
“Zander,” Angus began.
“Shut the fuck up, Angus. I doona want to hear your bullshit right now. I am barely holding my shite together,” Zander barked.
Elsie was openly sobbing, and Isis and Pema were trying to console her. Finn wanted to hand her the baby, hoping that would help the Vampire Queen. Queen Keira’s gaze shot between Angus and Zander.
Finn was shocked when the Cuelebre Queen stepped up to the Vampire Queen and wrapped her arms around her shoulders while they shook.
“Oot,” Angus ordered in a threatening tone. “I want everyone except those involved to get oot right now,” he demanded as he motioned Dyson toward Izzy.
Panicked, Finn glanced around. No way was he taking Cian from the room. He decided to melt into the woodwork and took a seat on the other side of the table. Blaine shot him a sympathetic look and closed the double doors behind him.
The tension thickened further when the room cleared. “Zander,” Angus began again.
“I want to know how the fuck you let this happen to my nighean. I trusted you to care for her, and protect her,” Zander accused.
Angus flinched with each of the Vampire King’s words as if each one was a knife. Angus’s gaze traveled to Izzy who was cradled in her father’s arms. “I have no words, Z. I have cared for her. I am gutted over this incident. I doona know all the events, but I can see she was hurt and I canna apologize enough for my failure.”
“It’s not Angus’s fault,” Donovan interjected.
Angus shot rage-filled eyes to the young cambion. “I’d close my mouth if I were you. As of right now, you are under arrest.”
“What the actual fuck?” Isis blurted and several bulbs shattered. Fortunately, the lights in the throne room were candles, so they remained intact. Finn couldn’t say the same for the ones in the hallway. Shouts echoed along with the sound of breaking glass. Zander took a seat when the ground beneath them rumbled.
“Mom, calm down,” Donovan urged. “Destroying Tatenen won’t help matters.”
“Someone start from the beginning,” Elsie interjected as she ran her hand over Izzy’s hair. “And, get Jace in here. I want him to heal Izzy. I don’t want her feeling any of this when she wakes up.”
Keira crossed to the door and returned with Jace at her side. The Cuelebre Queen snatched a blanket she kept folded in the corner and draped it around Izzy’s shoulders.
“Can you heal her, Jace?” Elsie asked.
The healer opened his mouth and looked from Zander to Angus. “I will, but I need to know if further documentation of her injuries is needed.”
Elsie sobbed harder and Zander looked ready to rip the warrior’s spine out with his fist. Isis approached Elsie and guided her to a seat at the table. If Finn thought Elsie’s fear and anger was bad before, now it nearly choked him. Even Cian finally quieted in Finn’s arms. The baby kept his eyes glued to his mom.
Keira cleared her throat and spoke. “I cannot imagine your pain, Elsie. I feel responsible. However, I know why Jace is asking. We don’t need evidence for what Troy did to Izzy. It is clear. You can heal her.”
Jace nodded his head and placed his hands over Isobel’s chest. Nothing seemed to happen for several seconds, and then Izzy’s bruises turned from deep purple to yellowish-green then disappeared. The female moaned, and shifted in her dad’s embrace.
Donovan jumped to his feet with Isis and Elsie behind him. Izzy started screaming and flailing her arms the next second.
“Shh, Isobel,” Zander cooed. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
Izzy’s eyes opened and traveled from her dad to her mom. She burst into tears and wriggled out of his arms. Elsie wrapped her in her arms and held her daughter close while she sobbed.
Donovan stood, watching the scene. As Izzy’s sobs lessened, the male’s shoulders relaxed. However, the devastation evident on his face never went away. Finn was certain the male would be haunted for the rest of his long life.
While Finn didn’t have a clear picture of what went down, he surmised someone tried to force Izzy into sex. That much was obvious by her torn shirt and bra.
“Mom, it was awful. Troy…” Izzy said between hiccups. “He…he told me I belonged to him and then he…” No more words came out of Izzy’s mouth as she cried even harder.
“I’m so sorry sweetheart. I never should’ve left you here. And, I’m not leaving you again,” Elsie vowed to her daughter.
Angus moved closer to the family. He clutched Keira’s hand like a lifeline. “Isobel,” Angus murmured, drawing the princess’s attention. “Your mother isna to blame. ‘Tis my fault. I should’ve protected you. Nothing I say can make this better, but I am more sorry than I can express.”
Izzy looked at the Cuelebre King through watery eyes but said nothing. To Finn, Isobel’s gaze lacked something vital. She looked numb. The once exuberant young woman was gone.
“How are you feeling, nighean?” Zander asked.
Izzy clung to her mom and shook her head. “Nothing hurts, if that’s what you’re asking. At least not physically,” she murmured then sobbed against her mom’s shoulder.
Jace put his hand on Izzy’s shoulder, making her flinch. “I was just going to send more healing energy into your system.” If looks could kill, Elsie would have incinerated them all.
The room remained silent for long minutes while Izzy cried, and her mom comforted her. Zander crossed to Finn and took Cian from his arms then joined his mate and daughter.
Finn stood to leave but decided against it. Angus and Keira were alone in the throne room with some pissed off supernaturals. He didn’t want to think they would harm Angus, but tensions were high. If Zander lashed out it would be on Finn for walking away. He remained quiet, wishing he could help the situation.
“What’s going to happen now?” Donovan asked as he sat next to Izzy. He kept his distance but remained close. He imagined the male didn’t want to leave her at risk again.
“We’re going back to the Tehrex Realm,” Isis spat.
“You may go, but Donovan will be taken into custody,” Angus replied. The king widened his stance and had his fists at his sides, clearly ready for a fight.
“What? No!” Izzy screamed as she jumped to her feet. The blanket dropped to the floor and her top gaped open. Finn glanced away from the sight of her torn clothing. Zander was up and wrapping his daughter in the blanket before she continued objecting.
“Donovan defended me. He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I know what Troy did was reprehensible, Izzy, but he is no longer here to be punished. Donovan took excessive measures against your attacker,” Angus explained.
Is
is and Izzy both yelled at the same time, making it impossible to understand what was being said. Donovan stood up and faced Izzy. “Stop, Iz. Angus is right. I should never have plunged that glass into his neck like I did. I was just so pissed about what he did that I acted without thinking. There was another way for me to ensure your safety, and I went way beyond that.” Donovan looked from Izzy to his mom and over her shoulder to his dad who had just walked into the room.
From the look on Braeden’s face he was brought up to speed by someone outside. Or, perhaps he overheard the conversation. “Son,” Braeden said and laid his hand on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Dad. Something came over me, and I couldn’t stop myself.”
“This can’t be happening,” Izzy wailed.
Elsie and Zander hugged their daughter close while Zander spoke to Angus. “You are the fucking king, Angus. You can decide a different punishment.”
“I am deciding a lesser punishment, Zander. By law, he should be put to death for killing Troy. We take this behavior verra seriously on Khoth. I could order his death, but I refuse to do that when he acted in defense of Isobel,” Angus replied.
“We need to get Izzy cleaned up, and we could all use some rest,” Elsie interjected. “Discussing this now will only make matters worse.”
“They can’t arrest Donovan, Mom. It’s my fault. If I had kept my mouth shut, he wouldn’t have come to my rescue,” Izzy protested.
Donovan turned and grabbed Izzy’s hands. He dropped them when she flinched. It was going to take time for the female to heal, Finn thought. “Never apologize. I wish you’d yelled louder. I don’t regret killing Troy. I would do it again for what he did. You are never to blame for this. That piece of shit is the one responsible,” Donovan declared.
Zander nudged his mate and Izzy from the room. Finn bet he didn’t want his daughter to see Donovan handcuffed and taken away. Finn watched Izzy walk out of the room, her head down and the blanket tight around her shoulders.