Chapter 76
King Harvey cradles me lovingly to his chest in our bed, and winces when his knuckles brush my face.
“Ow,” he grimaces. “That stupid ice shield! I had no idea he would do that!”
“How did you break it anyway?” I ask, lifting my hand to press it above his and heal his wounds lightly.
I can handle scrapes and that is about it.
King Harvey smiles down at me. “I am so thankful you are my mate… and naked.”
“King Harvey.” I address my husband firmly. “How did you break the barrier?”
“Force.”
“Ah, so I can’t do that.”
King Harvey understands my question and his brown eyes widen. “Oh, you believe it was werewolf abilities?”
“Yes.”
“No, it was my strength. But with your luna abilities I am sure you can highlight your hands and fight. Not that I want you in any form of close combat, Elena.” King Harvey takes my hands and kisses them sweetly, then presses a kiss to my cheek. “I am so glad you were not harmed.”
“You wanted to kill him…”
“What husband in love wouldn’t?” King Harvey voiles with ease.
“Many, King Harvey. Many men are not selfless like you even in love.” I rest my face in the crook of his neck as he lowers me to rest in his lap.
King Harvey kisses my ear, making me shiver.
“I love you, Elena.”
“I love you too, King Harvey.”
“Thank you for protecting me.”
I know how simple this sentence doesn’t cover my thanks for him protecting me, but there is no other way to put it.
King Harvey nuzzles my neck. “I would do anything for you, Elena. I will protect you with my life. We must keep training you with your shield.”
“Harvey, I trust you! We know the King of the North can return and he wants to kill you!” I pale at the thought. “He is a liar. He can’t die easily. I’m no warrior, King Harvey. I don’t think I can kill.”
“I will never place you in that situation, Elena.” King Harvey places my hand over his heart. I feel the warmth of his bare chest and beating heart.
“But… I must have access to that power in case of emergency…” I finish his thought for him, and he grins grimly.
“Precisely. We shall focus on your shield; you are thinking of protecting will access more power.”
“That is a good idea, King Harvey. Let’s get dressed and go.”
King Harvey stops me from getting up from the bed by holding me to his chest. I relax in his arms and hug him back tightly.
“Perhaps,” King Harvey starts in my ear in a whisper. “We can go another round?”
I laugh. “Yes, sure.”
Hours later, King Harvey stares at me as I hold up my shield above me.
“I would like to see if I can expand it in a new direction.”
“Good idea, Elena.”
Pressing my hand onto the inside of my shield, I look up and watch a red orb morph through it and glow. As I study the shield, I see the red wave of energy cover the shield. I try to focus on the shape of my shield and expand it outwards. It grows by three inches and the strain of the power makes my forearms burn.
“Am I doing well?”
“Yes, Elena.”
At my limit, I lower my shield and sigh. I can’t help but tell my husband what I feel.
“King Harvey… I feel that I caused the attack.”
In a flash, King Harvey is at my side and he takes my shield. It clatters to the ground as he pulls me into his arms and rests his head on top of mine.
“What do you mean?”
The loving warmth of his body envelops me, and I relax, lowering my shoulders and sighing.
“King Harvey, I healed the King of the North. I gave him the power to attack us.”
King Harvey looks down at me and cradles my face in his calloused hands. “Is that what you think, Elena? Truly? Not that you were kind enough to heal a man you never met before. And that he is a fool to harm you?”
“He wanted to kill you.” I whisper back. “Why?”
King Harvey sighs. “The King of the North is a dying man, he wanted one last victor, remember his happiness at the sword? Also, he doesn’t like that you are human. He kills me, then he can kill you…. But that will never happen. We both wounded him horribly. He managed to use the last of his power to teleport away, but his wounds were not automatically healing. He is in a terrible condition…”
“Will he die?”
King Harvey shrugs his shoulders. “Unless he finds someone to heal his wounds, I doubt it. The King of the North trusts no one, he never has healers around. His wife can heal, but she is as old as him, and I believe the effort might kill her as well…”
My eyes widen in surprise. “I can’t understand a wife not trying!”
“Elena, they are not a love marriage. He destroyed her village and took her.”
“What?” I breathe. My heart pounds in fear. “He just took her!”
“He has never been a good man, Elena. If we ever run into them again, do not mention that. It is an open secret among the powerful. She tried to run away from him several times.”
“Hm, that explains her apathetic face… but King Harvey she helped acting with the fall. Why?”
“I have heard he made her very cruel…”
I shiver at his words. “What a terrible life!”
“Your kindness should always be rewarded with more kindness, Elena. Be cautious but do not hesitate to be kind. I plan to stay at your side forever. Also, currently to protect you until this time passes.” King Harvey pledges to me then kisses my nose.
“Thank you, King Harvey.” I breathe, then get on my tiptoes and kiss him on the lips.
King Harvey moves away to pick up my shield. He cuts his thumb with his right fang, and I gasp.
“What are you doing?!”
“Watch, Elena.” King Harvey smears his blood on my shield, and it glows a rich red and the color beats several times, as if it is a heartbeat.
“Upgrading my shield?” I guess out loud.
King Harvey nods and returns my shield to me. “Does it feel any different?”
“Somehow stronger… and a bit heavier. But it is good. Sturdier.”
King Harvey smiles peacefully. “Good, Elena. Now make a shield again. As quickly as you can.”
Nodding, I wave my hand over my shield and place a red orb at the center of the front of the shield. As I focus on the power, the shield lifts weightlessly and a red energy flame expands outwards instantly.
“This is very good, why?”
“Who are you thinking of Elena?” King Harvey questions softly.
“Well, you. Because of your blood.”
“I have given you some of my blood, so you can always recall and use it. It will help you continue to open your mind and become stronger. Continue practicing, Elena.”
I nod and start to prepare my luna power.
It will be a long night.
