LUCIAN POV
I woke to the scent of antiseptic herbs and Mother's worry.
My shoulder burned—not from venom, that had been neutralized the moment my blood claimed Lior back. But from the bite itself. Two puncture wounds that marked me as belonging to vampire, as being mated to creature my people had warred against for centuries.
"Lucian." Mother's voice, tight with relief. "Thank the moon. You've been unconscious for hours."
I blinked against harsh torchlight, orienting myself. War-tent. Araya's command center. Healing supplies scattered across a table beside my cot.
And Ronan standing in the corner, golden eyes fixed on me with expression I couldn't read.
"What happened?" I tried to sit up, winced as pain lanced through my shoulder. "After—after the bite—"
"After you let a vampire mark you?" Ronan's voice was deceptively calm. "After you bonded with enemy while both armies watched? After you proved every fear the Church has about you being compromised by shadow-blood?"
