For the next week, I spend my time laying with Blair, waiting for him to wake up, willing him to be okay. All of my warriors have been in and out throughout the day, their concern for their brother making my own love for them blossom.

My training has suffered while I’ve been playing nurse, but I can hardly bring myself to care; I’m the reason Blair’s here in the first place.

Looking up at Blair’s perfect face, I notice that the colours coming back to his skin. His breathing had become more even too. I know it wouldn’t be long until we got our Blair back.

I focus on his face and then…

His eyes begin to flutter.

I sit up quickly.

Blair? Please come back, I miss you so fucking much, I tell him.

I miss you, too, Princess. His weak voice whispers into my head, as his eyes open slowly. He blinks a few times, his eyes adjusting to the light. I gently grab a hold of his hand wrapping my fingers around his. Tears coat my cheeks. “Are you ok?”

He smiles, weakly.

Without letting go of his hand, I yell over my shoulder, “Guys, quick get in here.” Loud footsteps pound up the stairs.

“I missed you so bloody much, Blair. Don’t ever go away again.”

I hear footsteps approaching the door, and all of my warriors along with Anna and Albert come rushing in.

“I’m fine, Princess. And don’t worry; I won’t be leaving you again - at least not anytime soon if I can help it.”

His voice is strained, and I realize he’s not the same; he’s broken.

I was beyond happy that he was awake and ok. A wave of relief went through me. I don’t even want to know what would have happened if he never woke up. I push away my negative thoughts and focus on Blair, who is very much alive. Everyone is surrounding us, and I realise my hand is squeezing Blair’s tightly, causing him pain. I let go putting my hand back in my lap but Blair reaches for me.

“I don’t want you going anywhere, Dara. I need you here, holding my hand,” he admits, his voice breaking. I let a lone tear run down my cheek at his words.

“I’m just going to sit here next to you,” I say. “I wasn’t going anywhere.” He relaxes back into his pillow.

“It’s so good to see you awake, my dear boy,” Anna announces, placing her hand on his leg.

“You gave us all a fright. Dara hasn’t left your side for any more than a few moments. We all were lost without you.” I feel a pang of regret.

That, right there, was pure motherly love. I wish I had that growing up on earth but I was grateful to have it now. I’m sure if my mother were around, she would have given it to me.

Declan, Oliver, Harlan and Jolie give Blair a hug while I enjoy the show. It’s the sweetest gesture from my warriors.

“While we are all here I wanted to let you know,” Anna pauses taking a deep breath. “Albert and I have decided to move out of the house. Bill has moved out of the house next door and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to move in there. You’re all old enough now and need your own privacy. Also, Clary will be moving in with us. She needs to be around people who love her.”

“If that’s what you want, Mother,” Harlan says. “We don’t want to make you move.”

“Yes, my dear. It’s best for everyone. I don’t want us intruding on your space. Dara will have her hands full with training and retrieving the next stone. It makes sense.” She smiles.

“I think it’s a great idea, Mother, and it’s for the best. You’ll both only be next door anyway; it’s not like you’re moving away.”

Albert claps his hands together. “All right, let’s leave Blair to rest.” Everyone leaves the room, but as I move to get off the bed, Blair grabs my hand.

“Will you stay with me, Dara?” he asks gently. “I need you close. You helped me recover. I heard every word you spoke to me. So, thank you.” I smile. I’m so glad he heard my thoughts; I knew he would.

Jolie pokes her head back in the room and says, “Dara, Harlan just said we need to up our training now that Blair is awake. Meet me in an hour?”

I nod and turn back to Blair. I hated to admit it, but Harlan was right. Now that Blair was awake I needed to up my training.

“I know you’re not ready to talk about it yet, but promise me you’ll tell me everything that happened to you? Only when you’re ready, of course,” I add, hoping he will.

He clears his throat. “As much as I don’t want you to know what I went through, I know you need to know. So yes, I promise I will when I’m ready. You kept me going, Dara - your voice and your smile kept me breathing. I just want you to know that.” He turns away from me, embarrassed.

I gently grab hold of his face and turn it back so he’s looking into my eyes. I gently place a feather light kiss on his lips.

Thank you. You mean the world to me. Without you, I’m lost and broken. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.

“I want you to know that James is scheming something huge. Something that will wound you the most. We need to be ready for anything and everything. You need to go and train. Become the strongest you can be.”

I lay down with Blair, letting his words sink in. I’m afraid of what James will do to hurt me - I know he’s capable of anything.

A hour passes and once I hear his soft breaths and know he’s asleep, I sneak out the door in search of Jolie.