Free Web NovelChapter 110: Chapter 109: Damon’s Wariness
He turned to find Damian and Damon still watching him with expressions that suggested they were one wrong move away from attacking.
Raphael smiled....genuinely amused by their territorial possessiveness. "I have had a very long journey," he said conversationally, brushing invisible dust from his cloak. He looked at Damian. "Can you prepare a room for me to rest? I need to recover my strength. There is much to do when she wakes up."
Damian stared at him for a long moment, clearly wrestling with the urge to refuse. Finally, he gave a sharp nod. "I’ll have someone prepare the guest suite in the east wing." He didn’t add ’far away from our mate,’ but the implication hung in the air. "Don’t leave it until we summon you."
"Understood," Raphael agreed easily.
Damian left the room, his movements stiff with barely controlled aggression. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Damon remained, studying Raphael with narrowed eyes. Every instinct in his body was screaming that having this sinfully beautiful male anywhere near Eve was a bad idea. Uncle or not, he was still another male. Still radiating sexual energy that could influence people. Still looking at Eve with a familiarity and possessiveness that made Damon’s wolf snarl with territorial fury.
Raphael looked at him, and a knowing smile appeared at the corner of his lips.....like he could read every jealous, possessive thought running through Damon’s mind.
"She’s safe from me," Raphael said quietly. "I know what you’re thinking. I can feel your wolf’s rage at having me here. But I have no designs on your mate beyond helping her survive and teaching her to claim her birthright. She is my niece...my brother’s daughter. The only family I have left. I would die before I dishonored her or betrayed your claim."
Damon wanted to believe him. Wanted to trust that this stranger was exactly what he claimed to be. But trust didn’t come easily to any of the brothers, and certainly not when it came to Eve’s safety.
Without responding, Damon turned and left the room, his shoulders tight with tension.
Alone now, Raphael allowed himself a moment of exhaustion. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes briefly. The journey had indeed been long, and the confrontation with the alphas.....combined with stabilizing Eve’s power surge....had drained him more than he’d let on.
But it had been necessary. All of it. Revealing himself, crossing their territory, facing down three territorial alphas who wanted nothing more than to rip him apart for daring to touch their mate.
Because Eve needed him. Needed someone who understood what she was going through, who could teach her to be not just powerful but controlled. Not just a succubus but a queen.
Footsteps in the hallway drew his attention. A young maid appeared in the doorway.....human, based on her scent, probably hired for household work rather than pack duties. She took one look at Raphael and froze, her eyes going wide, her breath catching audibly.
The sexual energy he naturally radiated.....something he couldn’t fully suppress even when trying.....hit her like a physical wave. He watched her fight it, watched her hands clench at her sides as she struggled not to react, not to step closer, not to offer herself to this impossibly beautiful stranger.
"The... the guest suite is ready, sir," she managed to say, her voice breathless and strained. "If you’ll... if you’ll follow me?"
Raphael pushed off from the wall with fluid grace. "Lead the way," he said gently, deliberately softening his voice to make it less seductive. The poor girl was already struggling enough.
They walked through the hallways in silence.....her in front, very deliberately not looking at him, her spine rigid with the effort of maintaining professional distance. Him behind, carefully controlling his energy output, trying not to make this any harder on her than it already was.
When they reached the guest suite.....spacious, well-appointed, and notably in the opposite wing from the master bedroom....the maid gestured inside with a trembling hand.
"Is there... is there anything else you need, sir?" she asked, still not quite meeting his eyes.
"No, thank you," Raphael said. "You’ve been very helpful. You may go."
She practically fled, her footsteps rapid in the hallway as she put distance between herself and the overwhelming presence that had just entered the estate.
Raphael closed the door behind her and finally.....finally.....allowed himself to drop the careful control he’d been maintaining. He sagged against the door, exhaustion washing over him in waves.
The confrontation with the alphas. Stabilizing Eve. Maintaining his composure under their hostile scrutiny. Disposing of Zane’s remains. It had all taken more energy than he’d expected.
He moved to the bed and collapsed onto it without bothering to remove his cloak or boots. Just lay there, staring at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had just happened.
His niece had killed an assassin. Had drained him completely dry without even fully understanding her own power. Had absorbed knowledge from her parents’ echoes that would take weeks to fully integrate.
And she’d done it all while her mates were distracted dealing with him.
Raphael closed his eyes, allowing himself a small smile despite the circumstances.
Evangeline was powerful. More powerful than even he’d anticipated. Strong enough to survive what was coming.
Strong enough, perhaps, to reclaim her throne.
Strong enough to change everything.
If she didn’t destroy herself first.
*******
Silas laid Eve carefully on the massive bed, arranging her comfortably on the softest pillows. Her skin was still too warm, her breathing shallow but steady. The glow had faded from her skin, leaving her looking pale and exhausted. freewebnoveℓ.com
He settled beside her, one hand stroking her hair, the other resting over her heart to feel its steady beat. Through their dream-walking connection, he could sense her.....distant but present, lost in whatever mental space her consciousness had retreated to.
"Come back to us," he whispered. "We need you. I need you."
In her unconscious state, Eve stirred slightly, her body unconsciously seeking his warmth. Silas pulled her closer, tucking her against his chest, letting the bond between them pulse with reassurance and safety.
He would protect her while she was vulnerable. Would keep watch while she recovered. Would be here when she woke, ready to face whatever came next.
Together.
Always together.
The night was far from over.
But for now, Eve slept.
And her three mates stood guard over their queen.
*****
And in the Seraphim Court, Lord Malachai felt the exact moment Zane’s life force was extinguished.
He smiled.
"So," he murmured to the empty room. "The little Princess has teeth after all.
How... interesting."
Then let the hunt begin.
