(Alnilam)

"You are making a mistake, Alnilam. The one you will end up regretting," father says, once we are left alone after the dinner.

"It’s my mistake and I will live with it. Besides, those were Jamina’s dying words. I am going to fulfil her last wish."

Mama blinks with affection while my father opens his mouth and then closes it, without answering back.

"I just hope you know what you are doing." We discuss the matter further but since I am adamant on my stance they don’t push me.

What they don’t know is that I also had a vision from the creature we see while sorting and he advised me to mate with Amaia and make peace with her other mates. We are to be her strength and that has eased my heart and made me finalise this decision.

I have also been reading and Faes become stronger through their mate bonds and mating sessions. That means I need to be intimate with her so she can reach her intended potential.

They retire for the night and I head back to the Academy, leaving Saiph behind to bring others back, safely.

Within the next two days, we need to travel to Istrale for the Guild Wars. This time I didn’t have the luxury of having Jamina by my side.

I missed her. I missed talking to her. She left a void which refused to fill.

Quietly, I go to her room.

On my request, Headmaster Fallon has left it untouched.

Opening the door, I enter the pink girlish haven she had created.

Her faint scent still lingers and I know it will disappear soon which hurts my heart.

My throat goes dry and my chest aches.

Everything is just as she has left it. Her books, her pillows, her makeup. On the table, I find a marble paperweight with a purple feather embedded in it. Under the paperweight is a paper on which she had compiled the results of the vials I had sent her from Huradis’ palace.

She has compiled the results and I guess she never got the time to hand it over to me.

Gently removing the paperweight, I pick up the orangish pink paper where she has listed all the chemicals found in those vials.

Their exact quantities and functions. They include hallucinogens.

Even before passing, she helped me, left me with answers. My fingertips glide against her handwriting. I am still absorbed in reading it when I sense extreme agitation and anguish rippling through the bond.

Amaia!

I know something is going on with her and I need to get to her. Not only Amaia but I can vaguely sense Ezran’s rage.

Oh no! Are they together? Is he hurting her?

"Get to our mate," Snow blazes inside my head and I sprint.

Leaving the corridor I hurry towards the Pegasus dorm. My legs feel numb and my hair goes wild with worry.

That feeling of unease has transformed into full chaos now. I need to get to her, fast.

I climb the stairs two at a time and find Saiph rushing ahead of me.

"Amaia is in trouble," he shouts over his shoulder.

An intense pain erupts in my heart, it’s not mine but hers. I can feel it, sense it in my marrow.

Together we reach Ezran’s shut door and I sense something dark and soul-consuming, like a presence of something evil.

What even is that?

Saiph pushes open the door and both of us barge inside the dark room, only to be left horrified.

Ezran has critically injured a transformed Amaia while trying to feed on her and she is barely holding on. Jamina’s bloody body and face flash in front of my eyes.

No, I can’t lose Amaia too.

Not today, not ever.

My insides scream, my hands shake but I have to act quickly. She is losing too much blood.

I haven’t felt Amaia’s magic because I have lined the rooms of all six of us with Shanguite crystals. Knowing there will be shared intimacy, I don’t want her to accidentally use her powers and land in trouble.

The anger inside me wishes to end Rigel’s life for hurting her but we are bound by the Blood Oath. It will do its share so I focus on Amaia.

While I rescue my mate, Saiph handles Ezran, putting him under.

My hair gathers her in my arms and I witness the extent of her injuries.

"No, no!"

Her neck is tattered, with punctured wounds and excessive use of his teeth as if he was intentionally trying to hurt her.

The rage almost blinds me, seeing her in this state. How could he do this when he swore to protect her?

My hair gathers around her neck, trying to lessen the flow of blood.

Even in this state she desperately calls for him and tells Saiph not to hurt him.

"Please! Heal yourself," I beg her, desperation clings to my voice. If only I had healing abilities.

Shaking and bleeding she obeys. As soon as her wounds close, Amaia faints in my arms.

"I have to get her to the infirmary," I tell Saiph, with a controlled rage.

Saiph has turned Ezran unconscious, his screams have ceased. He must have induced the highest level of his nightmares.

"Lock him up, I am taking Amaia to the infirmary." Securely, picking her up, I carry her outside where the onlookers have gathered, murmuring, trying to figure out what has happened.

"Return to your rooms," I order, blazing. They shuffle in terror and return to their rooms but I know tomorrow it will be nothing but gossip. I am least concerned about that.

As I descend the stairs I find the twins rushing towards me with horror playing on their faces.

Their disturbed eyes shift from me to Amaia in my arms. They must have felt her through the mate bond too.

"What happened?" Alnitak reaches me first and tries to take her from my arms.

"She is injured, let’s get her to the infirmary first."

They stiffly nod. Creased brows and enraged eyes refuse to move from her as we hurry forward.

"What happened? We had gone to sleep but her pain and anxiousness woke us up," Mintaka grimly says.

"Ezran hurt her," I say the words with a contained rage.

"That bloody bastard. I never trust him. He took an oath and now he has hurt her," Alnitak is beyond furious.

Mintaka pushes open the door of the infirmary and we find TJ.

"What now?" The old man asks in disbelief.

"Lost too much blood. She needs a transfusion," I tell him while gently laying her down on the bed.

TJ appears slightly confused, since he can’t see the wounds, only blood.

"Where are the wounds?" He questions.

"Healed, I don’t have time to explain. Just get started," I answer with irritation and the old man moves rapidly.

Alnitak and Mintaka are holding her hands, gently rubbing her skin while I let TJ pierce me with a needle to take my blood.

"Wake up soon, Amaia. Just wake up, I am sorry to ignore you until now. No more. I am yours and you are mine," I murmur.