Without missing a beat, Jonah shot up and rushed around the side of the bed. Was he going to help me use the toilet? I expected him to get someone. Conell said I’d have a lady’s maid, after all. My answer came when Jonah scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bathroom.

“Isn’t there someone here that could help?”

After entering the bathroom, he closed the door. “The only one here besides you and me is Chester. I don’t think you want the old man to help you.”

“No,” I said drily. “I thought for sure the princes would have a staff here.”

Gentler than I thought possible, he lowered me until my bare feet touched the cool title. “Can you stand?”

Strangely, I could feel my legs and my weight settle on them as I straightened the upper half of my body. I just couldn’t make the muscles move. “Maybe.”

“Lean on me.” He gripped my hips and lowered himself down in front me. Butterflies swarmed in my belly.

I placed my hand on his shoulders and tried to calm my breathing as he slid his hands down the sides of my legs. The thin cotton nightgown I wore didn’t provide much of a barrier. His warmth seeped into me, sparking desire and need.

When he reached the bottom of my gown and slipped his hand under it, I sucked in a breath. My eyes widened. Panic uncoiled.

Jonah snapped his gaze to mine. A flash of blue light rippled in his irises. His wolf. “I’m not going to hurt you or force you to do anything.”

Closing my eyes, I nodded. Shame triggered guilt. “I’m sorry. I feel helpless. I…”

His features softened. “I have to remove your panties so you can relieve your bladder.”

He raised one brow as if challenging me. I stared back but started laughing. “I’m acting like a child.”

He grunted like he disagreed, then tugged my panties down before standing. One leg at a time, he lifted them to finish removing my underwear. “Lift your gown up and I’ll help you sit.”

If I didn’t feel like my bladder would explode at any moment, I’d tell him to forget it. Why was I so nervous? It wasn’t like he was being a perv or anything. In fact, he went into healer mode. It was as if he’d taken care of someone before.

Steeling my backbone, I did as he asked.

Once I was on the toilet, he moved to the door, then exited the bathroom. I knew he didn’t go far because he called out to Chester.

The sorcerer answered back, his voice becoming louder as he entered the bedroom. “She’s awake? How is she?”

The sound of his aged, husky voice warmed my heart.

“She can’t move her legs.” Jonah replied back to Chester.

“Can she feel them? Like if you touch her leg, can she feel that?”

“Yes,” Jonah answered.

“Good, good. That’s a good sign.” There was a rustling sound. Were they right at the bathroom door? Then Chester added, “Run her a bath as hot as she can stand it and put this in the water. Make sure to use the whole bottle. I’ll make her some soup and more tea.”

Footsteps moving away from the door told me Chester left the room. A moment later, Jonah came back in.

I smiled. “A bath sounds amazing.”

He frowned but turned on the water to fill the tub. After putting the stopper in, he dumped the contents of a small amber-colored jar into the bath. I sensed an uneasiness from him.

When he was satisfied with the water, he glanced at me. “Ready?”

His tone was low and his wolf still looked out at me through his eyes. A sense of protection and concern rolled off him. “Yes. I’ll need help removing my gown. I feel off balance.”

“You can leave it on if you want.”

I smiled weakly. He was trying to make me feel comfortable. Even though I wanted to wash, I could do it once my legs got with the program. “Okay. Thanks.”

With another grunt, he lifted me off the toilet and carried me to the tub. When he set me inside, I slipped down into the water. Jonah grabbed me with a curse before my head went under. “Sorry.” He held me so I sat straight up. “Hold onto the sides for a minute.”

Doing as he commanded, I watched him, wondering what he was going to do. Then he took off his shirt and pants. I quickly averted my gaze but remained silent. A moment later he slipped into the bath behind me. “Lay back against me.”

Easing back, I closed my eyes and relaxed. Herb-infused water made my skin tingle. From my own studies of herbal medicine, I knew the mixture of lavender, mint, rosemary, willow root, and a few other smells I didn’t recognize would help draw the toxins out of my body.

Behind me, Jonah’s body was still tensed. I let a sigh slip from my lips, then picked up his hand. After placing a kiss to his knuckles, I linked our fingers together. “How did you become one of the king’s guards?”

He tensed even more. The muscles in his arm twitched. For a moment, I thought he would jerk his hand away. Relief shuddered through me when he nuzzled my neck, breathing in my scent. It was similar to what Kieran does, yet different in a way I didn’t understand fully.

“Are you sure you want to know that story?” he asked.

I was. “Yes. Please, I want to know you.”

“I’m not that person anymore. Understand that.” He waited for me to nod before he began his story. I figured he had a dark past, but I also knew enough about people to know that cruel ones didn’t feel sorry for their crimes.

“I was six years old when the king’s army attacked my den.”

Oh, no. A sob escaped me before I could rein it in. He squeezed my waist with his free arm and my hand with the one I held onto. “Are you going to cry?”

“I might. But continue. I won’t interrupt.”

After he placed a kiss on my shoulder, he continued. “My den was small and no match for the army. The adults were killed and the children were taken back to the palace. I was raised with the Hounds. Trained and endured the bastard’s cruelty. Each day I grew more and more intent on killing him.”

Jonah paused to take a few breaths. I could feel his wolf’s energy just under his skin. It was like the animal still wanted to get ahold of the king. I rubbed soft circles on his forearm. A moment later, the energy seemed to calm. I smiled while Jonah began talking again.

“I fought my way up in the ranks. Yes, the Hounds have ranks. They aren’t as mindless as the king likes to tell people. The Hounds are smart and deadly. They allow their wolves to rule their instincts to hunt and kill. Anyway, my advancement and raw hunger for blood earned me the king’s attention. It was also what interested Conell.”

I perked up at Con’s name. “What do you mean?”

Jonah poked me in the side. “You said you wouldn’t interrupt.”

“Sorry.”

With a chuckle, he brought our connected hands to his lips. “Conell was the one that suggested I be a royal guard. I think the prince was hoping I’d assassinate the king.”

When he stopped, I waited to see if he was finished. After a few moments of silence, I asked, “When was that?”

“A few months after your mother and the king married.”

I nodded. From the first time I met Conell, I sensed his anger toward his father.

“Trying to drown the princess again?”

The sound of Elion’s teasing voice made my cheeks heat. At least I still had my nightgown on. Although it was wet and clung to my skin.

Jonah splashed water at Eli. “Where are the others?”

“Kieran will be in here in a few seconds” Eli smiled wickedly, as if expecting some kind of conflict to arise between Kieran and Jonah.

Just then Kieran stuck his head in the doorway of the bathroom. He glared at Jonah, but his gaze softened when he met mine. “What’s going on?”

My pulse quickened at Kieran’s edgy tone. Was he mad? Jealous? I tried to move my legs and was only able to get a muscle twitch. A small progress, but not helping me in the least. “I can’t move my legs.”

Jonah nudged me. “Sit and hold onto the sides of the tub.”

As I did he stood, but Kieran was already there, lifting me out of the bath. I stared at his features, then whispered, “What’s wrong?”

Once in the bedroom, he entered the closet and closed us in, then flipped on the light. “It’s better to wait for Conell and Ayen to return.” He sat me on an elegant cushioned bench then frowned.

I sucked in my bottom lip. There were no clothes in the closet. “Why are we in the closet?”

A crooked smile lifted one side of his mouth. “The wolf got to be in the bath with you. I get to dress you.”

I laughed. “Is this a territorial thing?”

He shrugged. “Just annoying Jonah.”

A knock sounded, then the door opened. Elion held out a bag to Kieran. “You forgot these.”

Kieran took the bag and grunted. I glanced to Eli, who just shook his head, then asked, “Should I send Jonah?”

“Yes,” Kieran replied. The single word was clipped out with a growl.

More secrets. I folded my arms and glared at my vampire. When he met my stare, he sighed. “Let’s get you dressed and Eli and I will fill you in.”

“Tell me everything.”

He nodded as he dug into the bag and pulled out a lavender nightgown. Eli darted out of the closet and returned a moment later with a towel. After handing it to me, he stuck his head out. “Kieran says to go to the palace. Con and Ayen are there.”

Jonah rumbled a reply I couldn’t hear. Eli said, “Yeah. The bastard.”

Kieran tapped my thigh and I glanced at him. “You felt that?”

“Yes. I can feel my legs but the muscles aren’t working.” Just then my calf twitched. “I think the bath helped. Chester gave Jonah an herbal mixture to put in the water.”

“Good.” Kieran peeled my wet gown off and I dried what I could with the towel Eli gave me.

Once Kieran had the soft, clean gown on me, he pulled a pair of boxers out of the bag. “They’re Elion’s. We were in a hurry.”

I placed my hands on his shoulders while he put one foot at a time in the boxers. “I didn’t say anything.”

“No, but you were wondering.” Elion came over and lifted me to a stand so Kieran could pull up my borrowed boxers.

“I really don’t like being helpless.” A pout formed on my lips.

Eli kissed me. “Hush. We are more than happy to dress you, undress you, whatever you wish of us.”

Before Kieran could, Eli swept an arm under my legs and carried me out of the closet. “Now we get to feed you and pamper you more while filling you in on war and deception.”

My insides lit up with anticipation of spending the night with them. I couldn’t help but wonder if life with them would be filled with more evenings like tonight.

Yes, they would be. Especially after the king was dethroned and could no longer harm any of us.

What sacrifices would we have to make to secure such a future?