Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 117167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Rei placed his free hand on Yichen’s cheek, tilting his head so their eyes met. “It’s not that they don’t care. They don’t know. You’re not broken, but your family is still wounded. A horrible hole was cut into your clan when the fae stole you. It’s not enough to have you home to heal that injury. They need time, like you need time to find your way in this world again.”
“Rei,” Yichen whispered. His name was a raw sound that sliced through Rei’s heart, but he forced a smile on his trembling lips in answer.
“Yiyi, it’s not us against the world any longer. You have your family back, and they only wish to help you. These Varik vampires are taking risks to help you as well. You’re not alone anymore.” With his thumb, he wiped away a stray tear as it slipped from the corner of Yichen’s eye. “You’re home and you’re staying here. I swear it.”
“Us,” Yichen said roughly.
“What?”
“Us. They’re helping us. Not just me. We’re not alone anymore,” Yichen corrected.
Rei could only nod. A lump had suddenly formed in his throat to block his words. It was for the best. If he could speak, the only thing that was going to come tumbling from his lips was, “I love you.”
I love you with everything that I am.
I love you. Please don’t let me go.
“Didi,” Chen broke in, saving Rei from his own stupid heart. “We never meant to make you feel this way.”
Yichen lifted his gaze to meet Rei’s eyes. With a reassuring grin he prayed didn’t look forced, he motioned with his head for Yichen to look at his clan brother.
With painful slowness, Yichen turned to face the room. Concern and maybe a touch of heartbreak were written on everyone’s faces. Even the witch appeared contrite.
“Sorry about that,” Zelda murmured. “I had to be sure the elf wouldn’t fight things when we went about getting you separated.”
“I want Wu Yichen to be happy and safe with his family,” Rei replied from behind his Yiyi. The vampire was still stubbornly trying to protect him from everyone.
“Okay, okay. Come sit. The fix is both easy and complicated.”
That got Yichen’s legs moving again. He returned to the seat and pushed Rei down on the cushion before resuming his spot on the arm.
“What do we need to do?” Yichen demanded.
“You need a bloodstone,” Zelda announced.
“That’s it?” Moon asked first, his voice jumping so high it almost cracked. “A bloodstone? You can’t mean a regular chunk of heliotrope, right? Red and Mad both have tons around their places.”
“Yes, and no.”
Rafe groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Really, Zelda. You’re worse than Bel when it comes to getting to the point.”
“I am talking about heliotrope, but not a regular chunk. This bloodstone has to come from the fae realm,” Zelda continued after making a face at Rafe.
“Shit,” Xiang muttered. “We have to go to the fae realm and find this rock if we’re going to break this bond.”
A giggle broke from Rei’s lips, and he dropped his face into his hands. The chuckle continued to bubble up, growing louder and louder as his entire body shook. This was too much. It was too perfect. And maybe this was his strange, twisted luck in life.
Yichen grabbed his shoulder, forcing him to sit upright and lift his face from his hands. “What is it? What’s wrong? I’m willing to return to the fae realm for this. I won’t ask you to go alone.”
“No. That’s not it,” he panted, trying to catch his breath. “We don’t have to go at all. The biggest bloodstone you’re ever going to find in my home is already here.”
“What?” Xiang snapped. “How?”
Rei turned to face the other vampire, wiping the tears from his eyes. “My father’s crown is set with several precious gems and minerals. One of them is a bloodstone.”
A rough bark of laughter jumped from Yichen as he tumbled from his perch. “That’s perfect. So fucking perfect.”
Chen shrugged his shoulders. “Well, we were planning to kill King Ash, anyway. I guess we have to remember to snag his crown when we’re done.”
“What do we do with the stone once we have it? Should we bring it to you?” Rei asked when he got his chuckles under control.
Zelda sat back on the couch, crossing her legs at her ankles. “No. You don’t need a witch. Wu Yichen should hold the stone against his bare chest. It will gradually draw all the fae magic from his blood and store it in the stone. This may be a little painful, but the process shouldn’t take more than an hour at most. It would be best if it has been several days since you last fed from Rei. After the process is complete, try to feed from one of your clan. If you can keep the blood down, you’re on the mend and the process is complete. If not, do another hour with the stone.”