Chapter 261
~ ROWAN
Nyssa passed out a few minutes into the drive.
I watched her out of the corner of my eye, tracking every breath she took and making sure that she was alive and not a figment of my imagination.
I was braced for a fight, prepared for shit to go wrong and she just came out of the woods like she hadn’t been missing for days on end. A part of me was wary, hesitant even that something terrible would happen, but the other part was just fucking relieved to see her alive.
“You’re the King p>
It took me a moment to remember that there was someone in the backseat with us. She hadn’t said a single word except to introduce herself. She just clutched her daughter for dear life and sat completely still.
“I am,” I said after a beat of silence.
“I thought you would be… scarier. They said you were a monster p>
“Not all monsters have horns and scales p>
Her lips curved into a sad smile. “Trust me, I know that. I’ve seen a few monsters myself p>
She stroked her daughter hair softly and I realized it was some sort of calming mechanism for her.
“Why you?” I asked and her head cocked to the side in confusion.
“I don’t understand p>
“There were other women there I’m sure. Why did she choose you p>
Irina shrugged. “Perhaps it was because I was her maid. She never told me why and I never asked. I don’t remember what the outside world is like, but I want my daughter to live a different life than I have so I took the offer. I’m no saint p>
“None of us are,” I snorted. “I can help you find your family if you p>
“I don’t have a family,” she cut me off. “I don’t remember their names or what they look like. I’ve been in that palace for over seven years p>
She didn’t sound sad, just reigned, and that in itself was the sad part. That she didn’t remember a life outside of the cruelty she endured in that palace.
“You’re welcome to stay… in our pack. If you don’t want to, I’m sure there are human towns you can settle in p>
“Will you offer the same for the other women p>
“Only the ones who want it… yes p>
For the first time since we started speaking, she lifted her eyes to meet mine through the mirror. “Thank you p>
I nodded once and that was it.
When we got to the pack, it was the early hours of the morning.
The exhaustion from the past few days was hitting me all at once and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into my bed and pass out but there was so much to be done. I drove straight to the hospital and rather than use the front entrance, I parked somewhere out back.
I carried a sleeping Nyssa in my arms through the halls and into one of the rooms. It was only when I lay her on the bed that her eyes fluttered open.
She sat up with a gasp, her eyes wild and wary as she looked around in a panic.
“It’s okay,” I assured her, placing a soft hand on her shoulder. “I’m here, you’re safe p>
Upon hearing my voice, her shoulders sagged with relief. “I thought… I was scared it was all a dream p>
“It’s not, you’re safe, I promise.” I placed a kiss atop her head. “We’re at the hospital. The doctors need to go over you first, make sure you’re okay p>
She frowned. “I don’t want a hospital, Rowan, I want to go home p>
I understood her displeasure. Hell, I fucking felt it too. “I know, but we need to make sure they didn’t give you anything that can cause problems later. It’s only for a few minutes p>
“Where’s Irina p>
“In another room. She’s fine, and there are guards watching her p>
It looked like there was more she wanted to say but the door opened and a doctor walked in. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun and her eyes were soft. I saw Nyssa shut down before my very eyes. Her answers were simple and straightforward. She did as she was asked and recounted everything she ate as best as she could.
A part of me felt directly responsible for her discomfort, but I kept reminding myself that it was for her benefit.
“We’re just going to run the basic tests,” the doctor explained once she’d taken the blood draw. “We’ll test for wolf’s bane, for poisons and test her blood for any anomalies. You should have your results before the end of the day. Any questions p>
Nyssa shook her head.
Once the doctor left, she turned to me. “There’s something I need to tell you p>
Panic seized me as my mind immediately conjured up the worst. “Did someone p>
She shook her head. “No one touched me… not like that, but… I think I’m pregnant p>
I could have sworn that the ground opened up and swallowed me in that moment.
I opened my mouth to speak but no words would come out. Static buzzed in my ears and my palms grew clammy.
“Are you sure?” I asked and she nodded.
“I’m late as fuck but then again, it could just be the stress. I don’t know if I am, but it’s very likely and I understand if you don’t want p>
I pulled her into me, unable to control my raging emotions.
The thought of her being all alone with our enemies while pregnant brought a bitter taste to the back of my mouth.
“I should have brought you back soon p>
She frowned. “Rowan p>
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, voice cracking. “I know I failed you p>
“You didn’t p>
I shook my head.
No amount of consolation from her would change how I felt. My core duty as a mate was to keep her safe and I failed at that.
“No one will ever hurt you again, Nyssa, I swear it on my life p>