The Alpha's Mother-In-Law's Forbidden Love (The Cresta Chronicles)

Jiro POV

Jude looked pale and drawn and sopping wet, lying on the crystalline healing bed.

Frowning, Jiro said, "Everyone was checked and cleansed following the trip to the nightmare realm. Jude had a headache, but I thought he was alright."

Healer Kellam appeared lost in thought, standing beside Roslynn, Tulaska, Eirika, and Anneliese. "He could have been far more sensitive to it than the others. Him and Ravyn, because they're mated."

Jiro rubbed his springy red beard. "But Cyran, who has such a strong connection to Hades or at least a history, isn't affected as badly. He is quieter than normal, but that's to be expected."

Hades' death caused as many heartaches as his life. 

Jude coughed and spat a coppery-smelling glob into a pan. He'd been coughing for the last half hour. 

Healer Kellam paused before speaking, his big hulking wrestler's body belying his gentleness. "This is common in people exposed to dark forces and dark realms. After the battle in the cursed temple where we fought Cyran and Hades three years ago, everyone was complaining of symptoms for weeks. Headaches, coughing, nightmares, dizziness, that sort of thing. The magic that the witches wove, especially Luna Garnet, did protect some of them."

Shuddering, Jiro recalled the chills and dizziness he'd had after that battle. He never complained about it, and he'd been too caught up in his love for Garnet to feel it much. But he'd been touched by the darkness, all the same. "The same thing happened when we killed Hades the first time. And whatever symptoms we had after those events would be a hundred times worse after exposure to the Dark Goddess' realm."

Healer Kellam nodded grimly. "It's not surprising that Jude is experiencing all this. I've had to treat Luna Lady Kelara … the baby could be susceptible. I understand Alpha Lord Talon has come down hard–no more dangerous missions before the baby is born."

Ravyn clasped Jude's hand, and she smelled like lake water and worry. "The same for me and Jude. We're bonded, after all. What affects one affects the other."

Roslynn made passes over them both with her medicine rattle. "You two need rest. If it were up to me, I'd postpone your bonding ceremony and ball." Eirika howled in agreement.

Jude smiled wryly. "I promise, after the grand event, Ravyn and I will take some much-needed time for ourselves. And we're going to rest tonight–in our own comfortable bed here in Sinsworth House, not on this healing bed."

Jiro adopted his Alpha Voice. "I order you to do so. I can't have another Alpha and Luna falling ill while they're my guests."

Besides, his mind had been plagued with images of that horrific realm. The sheer darkness … the gloom … the trapped souls … the smell of decay. The utter misery. He had no idea how he managed to withstand it. Small wonder Cyran seemed subdued afterwards. It had to bring back every bad memory of his enslavement. He made a mental note to check on his brother and Naomi.

Bram and Mali hovered near Jude. "Dad, please, no more heroics for a long time to come," Bram urged. "You've done your bit, and then some. Mama Ravyn, too."

Helping Jude to his feet, Jiro supported him. "I think we can let him finish his recovery in bed, Healer Kellam. And I also say no more heroics, at least while you're here."

Jude closed his eyes, looking pale and drawn. "I won't argue with you."

Daxius took Jude's other arm. "You fool," he growled affectionately. "Go up against a demon and expect to bounce back. Why did I let Ravyn marry you again?"

"You couldn't stop her," Jude mumbled.

Daxius smiled, his turquoise eyes lighting up with mirth. "True enough."

They shared a warm laugh as they went upstairs in the elevator to the family's floor. At one end of the hall, Jiro's and Garnet's bedroom door was closed, with the letters "Alpha and Luna Suite" painted on the door. 

"The celebration," Jude groaned, the realization sinking in. "I ruined it."

Jiro shook his head. "Everyone knows by now about the ordeal with the Dark Goddess. They were amazed you were doing as well as you were. You've been a true warrior, Jude."

"Don't feel like one," Jude grunted.

"So said every warrior throughout history," Garnet reassured him.

William Blackthorn tugged on Jude's leg. "You'll be okay, Jude."

"Thanks, pup." Jude managed a smile. "You were brave, you know that? Not many ten-year-olds would dare to confront darkness and win."

William puffed up. "Did we win, though?"

"We didn't lose," Jude murmured. "We escaped, and we're all still here. Hades … well, I'm afraid his fate was out of our hands."

Thinking seriously, William followed Jude, with the Sinsworth housekeeper Sarina's little daughter Selene tagging along. Selene seemed enchanted with William, as did the Cresta pups who followed him around. 

"I hope you feel better, Papa Jude and Nana Ravyn," William said as the procession reached Ravyn's and Jude's bedroom. 

* * * * *

Jude POV

Just a few more feet, and Jude wouldn't have to smile anymore. The bed looked like paradise itself. He crossed the soft red carpet and flopped down on the bed, which someone had turned down. Ravyn climbed into bed beside him.

"Just rest," Garnet said, blowing out the lamp. "We'll see you both in the morning. Take your time getting up."

Quietly, the family slipped out of the room and closed the door.

Closing his arms around Ravyn, Jude sighed. "I ruined their celebration."

"You got sick," Ravyn corrected. "Things happen. The celebration in Evenhide was eventful!"

Jude was quiet for a long while. "You're so understanding."

"We've been through a lot in the last few weeks," Ravyn murmured, holding him.

"I'm usually tougher than this." He put on a brave smile. "And I'll be back to my strong Alpha self tomorrow. I promise."

He leaned into her embrace, snuggling with her. Feeling the strength that she could provide, that his Luna alone could provide, he buried his face in her golden hair. "I love you," he murmured.

"And I love you. These headaches will fade in time. Healer Kellam was sure of it."

Ravyn stroked his hair, and he purred, loving her touch. "You have the best hands," he sighed. "I'll be alright after a good night's sleep."

"Sleep." She paused. "Sleep is the best thing for this, so I understand. After all, it's not as if anything is … attached to you."

Her words sent a chill down his spine. "Like what?"

"Like a piece of the Dark Goddess. But you've been properly cleansed."

A piece of her? Moon Goddess.

He crawled out of bed and knelt, praying with all his heart. Ravyn joined him, offering her own prayer to the kind deity. 

"Moon Goddess, please send all dark influences away from us. We place ourselves in your loving protection. We love you and offer you our devotion. As long as wolves howl and hunt, we pledge ourselves to you."

As he closed his eyes, praying, he saw an ancient grove, with Absalom Sinsworth chanting to the deity. "'Invocatio Tenebris Lupae!'"

What?

His eyes flew open.

Absalom looked young. Vital. The grove was outside Sinsworth House. Red Crescent City looked smaller and less sophisticated. The lake looked smaller …

Blinking, he yawned, and helped Ravyn up.

He must be tired, that was all. Tired and needing a good night's sleep.

"Ravyn … do you think it's possible for a non-mage to have visions of things he or she couldn't possibly know about?"

Ravyn got into bed with him. "You're a wolf. Wolves are highly connected to the spirit world. And you're bonded to a witch. Is this related to what you were saying about the lake?"

He couldn't get the words out at first, but this was his Ravyn. He could tell her anything.

"YES. I … I had a vision. Of Absalom Sinsworth and the moment he called on the Dark Goddess hundreds of years ago. And the way this city and house used to look, as well as the lake."

For a long moment, his heart hammered in his chest, because Ravyn was silent.

"You might have gotten an echo, a psychic impression, from all that intense contact with him," she said finally. "None of the others have reported anything, but maybe they just didn't think it was important. We'll have to ask Dane, Lilia, and the others in the morning."

Breathing a sigh of relief, he said, "That sounds like a plan."

Their goodnight kiss was warm and sweet and full of all the tenderness they felt for each other. Just like with his mate hundreds of years ago …

He shut his eyes. 

Too tired. That was it. He was just too tired. Everything would be better in the morning. 

He barely registered Ravyn wrapping her arms around him in a tight grip, as if she'd never let him go.