“Nothing. Chris got between them and said the plane was ready to go.” Peter smirked at me. “And Roland told Nikolas you’d never forgive him if he hurt Greg.”

Roland let out a snort. “I said you’d kick his ass.”

I would have done it too, but Nikolas would not have hurt Greg no matter how annoyed he got. He protected humans; he didn’t harm them.

“So what has everyone been doing for the last week?”

Roland grinned. “Hanging out in style. This place is crazy. Do you know they have a movie theater and a game room downstairs?”

“I must have missed that part of the tour,” I replied dryly. “When did Nate get here? Is Tristan here, too?”

“They came the day after we did,” Roland told me. “Tristan couldn’t come in to see you, but Nate’s been in here every day. Tristan had to go back to Westhorne, but he said he’d be back when you woke up.”

There was a knock on the bedroom door and a diminutive person with curly red hair and a goatee arrived bearing a tray laden with food. At least I thought he was a man until I saw the pointed ears and realized he was actually a dwarf. He set the tray on the table and smiled when Roland and Peter dug into the thick burgers. Bowing to me, the dwarf left without saying a word.

“You gotta try this, Sara,” Roland moaned through a mouthful of food. “Heb makes the best burgers you’ve ever tasted.”

“Heb?”

“The dwarf. He does all the cooking here.”

Peter nodded in agreement. “That faerie food’s not gonna fill you up. Have one of these.”

I picked at one of the pastries on my plate. I didn’t really have much of an appetite, even for the delicious faerie food. “I’m good.”

Roland took one of the burgers and laid it on my plate. “Eat,” he ordered.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Yes, you are. You’re just moping because you can’t see Nikolas.” He shook his head. “You spent a week running from him, and now you’re upset because you can’t see him for a few days. You really are a normal chick after all.”

I took a French fry from the tray and lobbed it at him. “Shut up.”

He ducked and the fry flew over the railing. “Look on the bright side. You get to spend the next few days with Pete and me in this big ass mansion, eating anything you want. Before you know it, you’ll be all better and leading Nikolas on another merry chase across the country.”

I shook my head. “No more chases.” I was done running.

Chapter 10

I rested my head against the cushioned back of the chaise lounge chair and turned my face toward the sun, letting its warmth soak into my skin. The sounds of the birds and the ocean reminded me of home and when I closed my eyes, I could almost pretend I was back in Maine.

I missed home. But not as much as I missed Nikolas. He and the others had left the estate three days ago so I could move around freely without hurting one of them. They had rented the property next door, but they might as well have been on the other end of the state. Would they have to stay away until my training was complete? Aine said my control was a lot better now, and I didn’t know if I could bear being separated from them that long.

“You look much improved today, Cousin.”

I opened an eye to peer at Eldeorin who had the annoying habit of appearing in front of me instead of walking up like everyone else.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that.”

He chuckled and bent down to kiss my forehead. Faeries were an affectionate bunch, and I was still trying to get used to their ways. Over the last three days, I’d spent a lot of time with Eldeorin and Aine, regaining my strength and learning to control my power again. They were patient and kind teachers, and very good at cheering me up whenever I got emotional. That happened a lot after I found out they had sent all the Mohiri away so their demons would not disturb me. I’d been pretty upset until Eldeorin had explained that this was the best way to speed my recovery. After that, I spent hours every day practicing with my power and getting back the control I’d built up over the years.

“I came to tell you I am leaving for a few days now that you are recovered. I will be back in a week or two to begin your training.”

“Training?”

Eldeorin gave me a look of fond exasperation. “If you are determined to live in the human world you must learn to use your power to protect yourself. Aine and I will teach you what you need to know.”

“Does that mean I have to stay here? For how long?”

“How long depends on you.” He winked mischievously. “Until then, Cousin.”

Just like that, he was gone. I grumbled under my breath and closed my eyes again. What kind of training did he have planned for me? I was eager to learn more about my power, but I hated being kept in the dark.

A yawn escaped me, and I let the ocean lull me into a light sleep. I hadn’t slept well the last three nights, and I found myself napping throughout the day when I wasn’t working with Aine and Eldeorin. What I wouldn’t give for just one good night’s sleep.

“Sara.”

“Hmm?” I turned my face toward the voice that sounded so achingly familiar. “Nikolas?” My eyes opened and for a second I thought I was dreaming when I saw him crouched beside my chair. Before he could speak again, I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and knocking him backward. He ended up on the grass with me lying on top of him. I raised myself on my elbows and drank in the sight of him. His surprise over my attack passed, and he gave me a lazy smile that made my stomach do flips.