Free Blood and Reign (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) by Electa Graham Page B

move on from there. I will give him some of my blood. Fae blood sustains vampires for a much longer time. We will still have to wait to do this again. He will need a long time to heal.”
    “I’m really grateful , Eli.”
    “Your Majesty, my power to heal my people went with the rest of the fae magic. You opened the door and I’ve felt that power starting to return. It’s a weak and fragile thing, but it gets stronger every day. I can’t tell you how that feels.” A broad grin spread across his face. “Yes, I can, I feel happy, whole and useful. It means for the first time since I can remember, I look forward to waking up. So no need to thank me, my queen.”
    He left and I realized he had changed my mind for the better about the fae. Eli was going to help a vampire and give him his own blood. Healer or not , it was a very selfless gesture. Killian was staring off into space. He was in that place in his head that kept most of the unpleasant things at bay.
    “Is there anything else we can get you?”
    “Sponge bath?” He gave me an eyebrow waggle.
    “Dominick , Killian needs a sponge bath.”
    The look on their faces was priceless. “I…I’m sure there must be someone more qualified to do that sort of thing.”
    “I’ll give y ou a sponge bath later. You must promise not to enjoy it too much, though.”
    “I’m in a lot of pain , Cass, but having you bathe me will be very enjoyable.”
    He closed his eyes and drifted off. I was sure the examination took a lot out of him. Sleeping was the thing he needed.
    Ruby was waiting for us in the sitting room. She had a meal set out on a table. “Ruby, please join us.”
    “You are very sweet, but I have a million things to do , Your Majesty. Your first official meeting is tomorrow and I need to arrange your clothes, make sure the room is ready. Oh, to be busy again. It makes me so happy.” She twirled around the room once and left.
    “I think she enjoys her job , Cass.”
    “I hope so. I am very fond of he r and she has made life so much easier for me and it’s been less than a day.”
    “Well , Your Majesty, I think she is very fond of you too.”
    “Not you , Dominick… no Your Majesty.”
    “Okay, how about beautiful? Sexy? Lover?”
    “How about Cass?”
    “I know what happened earlier was because of the brooch, but was even a little part of it real?”
    “The wanting to was me, Dominick, but without the brooch, I would have resisted.”
    “I want you , Cass. I know I’m not alone or the first in line, but I’m here and I won’t expect anything from you. I just want to enjoy how I feel when we’re together.”
    Oh , that sounded so good. Why did I have to decide now to be more mature and think of others before myself? “I can’t, Dominick. I have Lucius to deal with and not to mention this whole queen thing.”
    “You know , not all relationships complicate your life. I’m here to help, lighten your load. If it can’t be as a lover, then it will be as a friend. You’re a special woman, Cass. You saved my life when you came here.”
    “We worked together to kill that evil bitch and , trust me, you kept me sane. This place would have been so horrible if it wasn’t for you… I don’t know if I would have fought to get free.”
    “So we ’re both pretty awesome then, right? Now I’m staying in this bed with you tonight. I’ll be a good boy, I promise, but you’ve been messed with twice. I’m not going to let you out of my sight.”
    “I should call Kael and let him know about the brooch. I can see why he didn’t come, I wasn’t in any danger, but it was still a way to mess with me. I’m getting tired of always being someone’s pawn.”
    “We can deal tomorrow. You’ve had quite the day and you need your rest. Tomorrow isn’t likely to be any easier.”
    It sounded good to me. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. I needed a good night’s sleep to deal with the fae. That first meeting was going to take every ounce of