Leela’s skin to allow Hydraian gifts to work on her,” Gabriel replied. “Jayson also took a bullet to the head. No other casualties, and both of them will recover. However, Skye says our assistance is needed, and given how close Stas is with Lizzie, I understand that need.”
“Yes, your daughter has a penchant for putting her best friend’s life before her own,” Ezekiel murmured. “I suggest you go talk her out of waltzing headfirst into the council to demand her friend back.”
“She would do that?” Caro asked, a hint of warmth touching her heart.
“Yes,” Ezekiel and Gabriel said at the same time. Then her son added, “You have no idea what it’s been like trying to keep her safe these last few years. It’s like she courts death.”
Ezekiel snorted. “No shit.”
“Right. We’ll be ready in a minute,” Sethios said, his hand on the door.
“I’ll meet you there,” Gabriel replied. “I’ll call you if you’re needed.”
“We’ll be here waiting,” Ezekiel drawled.
“We can build another snowman.” A hint of childlike happiness touched Skye’s voice. “I need a scarf.”
“Of course, darling.” He stepped out of the doorway. “Happy misting.”
Sethios snorted. “Have fun with the snow.” He shut the door before his friend could reply, then rummaged around to find his clothes.
Another knock sounded half a beat later.
Sethios opened the door with an arched brow. “Yes?”
“You might need these, mate.” Ezekiel handed him a pair of jeans and a sweater.
Sethios frowned at them, then glanced at Caro. “I forgot you arrived naked.”
“I didn’t,” Ezekiel replied, a smirk in his tone that earned him a growl from Sethios. “So possessive. Did you enjoy playing with my knife?”
Sethios shut the door again, not bothering to answer, and set the clothes on the bed. There was also a pair of boots and socks, both of which appeared to be in her size.
Everything smelled new, but freshly washed, suggesting Skye had predicted the need for the clothing and had recently ordered it. Or perhaps she was just a similar size to Caro. She hadn’t actually seen the woman to know for sure.
The two of them dressed in silence, Sethios wearing jeans and a T-shirt meant for warmer climates. As soon as they were clothed, he pulled her into a kiss and pressed his lips to her ear. “I’m not done fucking you yet.”
“Should I take the knife with me?” She meant the question seriously. Not just because of his sexual threat, but as a protective measure.
“Yes.” He nipped her neck, then ran his fingers through her hair, helping to unknot the strands. She’d need a proper brush later, but he managed to help with tangles. Besides, being entirely put together wasn’t exactly a priority at the moment.
Although, she had hoped to be in at least a little better shape before seeing her daughter again.
She nibbled her lip, considering. “Do I look all right?”
Sethios’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“Do I... Am I presentable?”
“You’re always fucking presentable. But if I’m honest, I prefer you naked.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “I’m about to see Astasiya. I doubt she’d prefer me naked.”
He chuckled. “That’s how she met you twenty-five years ago.”
“Sethios.”
“What?” He grinned down at her, and she glowered back. After another chuckle, he kissed her cheek and said, “You look beautiful, angel. She’ll think she’s looking in a mirror when she sees you.”
Caro blinked. “A mirror?”
“She’s the spitting image of you, sweetheart.” His palms went to her hips, his green irises taking on a light sheen. “She’s strong, just like you. A warrior spirit. She’s grown into your figure—something I can’t say I’m crazy about because it draws far too much male attention. And did I tell you she’s already blood bonded?”
“What?” Mated? Her daughter? “She’s only... only... how old is she?”
“Twenty-Five.”
Right. He’d just remarked on their first meeting, indicating her age. Caro simply hadn’t considered what that meant. “How the hell is she already bonded? To who? Is he worthy of her?”
“No one is worthy of her,” Sethios retorted, sounding furious. But then a glimmer of respect met his gaze as he sighed, “But she could have done worse.”
“Worse?” Caro didn’t like the sound of this at all. “Was she coerced into this? Have they known each other long?”
“Longer than we knew each other before bonding,” Sethios admitted softly. “And from what I can tell, he didn’t coerce her. She seems to love him—a feeling that is clearly mutual.”
“So he’s... he’s good to her?”
“Unfortunately,” Sethios muttered.
“Unfortunately?” she repeated. “How is that unfortunate? You wish for him to be cruel to her?”