Thorin and Puck rode back to the Forest of the Strays, trying not to think about how Riona was still unconscious. On the bright side, her wound was healing. So, whatever Emperor Kaan had done, at least he hadn't made things worse.
Thorin supposed he could stop cursing the vampire emperor. Maybe. Eventually. No promises.
Meanwhile, the Fallen One had been hovering around Riona like an overprotective ghost.
Eavesdropping on werewolf gossip had clued him in on Emperor Kaan, and he did not like what he'd heard. Panic creeping in, he shook Riona, nudged her, and even tried yelling in her ear.
Fear tightened its grip as he tried, desperately, to wake Riona. This was not the time for a beauty nap. She needed to wake up. Right now.
Because if she didn't… the world might fall apart before she even opened her eyes.
"Come on, kid. Time to wake up. Riona! Your brother's in danger! The world's on fire! Taxes are due!"
