Zed's Dishonest Mate by Sydney Lain Read Free Book Online

from the exertion. His head ached, but nothing. He tried to move his leg but the pain from his knee made moving it unbearable. He knew the damage was extensive, but slowly he was healing it and using magic to walk. If he couldn’t do that, then he was stuck. His body shook. He needed magic to heal and take away the pain.
    “Zed,” Luka yelled. After a couple of minutes passed, no one had come. Luka pulled himself to lean his back against the headboard. There was no more pretending to be whole. He needed a doctor. No, he needed an elf doctor.
    “I don’t have time for games,” Zed said as he walked back into the room with Bishop following him.
    “Zed, I’m not feeling well. Can you call a doctor?” Luka’s body continued to shake. Little bumps formed on his skin as he fought to hide his teeth chattering. The fear pushed out and he couldn’t push it back in. He couldn’t be damaged. Zed would send him back.
    The vampire prince studied him. He moved over to the bed and for the first time since they met, he gently placed a hand on his forehead. “Your skin is deathly pale, but there’s no fever and you’re shaking.”
    Luka stared, unable to talk or move. He felt like a doll that sat on a shelf looking pretty.
    “Listen, Luka, things are going to change. It can be scary, but you need to learn to move with the changes. Chores are a part of it. It’s wrong to stay in bed all day and let others take care of you.”
    The panic sucked up the air. He struggled to breath. No one was going to get help. “I don’t care about your chores. I need a doctor.” Luka’s eyes watered. He wouldn’t cry. “Please, Zed, there’s something wrong.”
    Zed pulled his strawberry-blond hair back and forced Luka to look directly into his eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong,” Zed ordered.
    “There’s something wrong with my magic.”
    Zed sighed like he couldn’t believe he had to deal with the situation.
    “Fine, get up. I’ll bring you to a doctor.” Zed turned to leave.
    “Wait,” Luka said. He was going to seem so ungrateful after Zed offered to help him. “I am having problems walking. Can the doctor come here?”
    Zed stopped. “Enough is enough.” He moved in to grab Luka’s arm.
    Luka pushed his body away. He almost fell off the other side of the bed, trying to get away from Zed’s grasp.
    “Please,” he begged. He covered his body with both hands to prepare for the blow. After it didn’t happen, he lowered his arms. Zed and Bishop both stared at him with wide, shocked eyes. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what he was apologizing for.
    “Bishop, call Roman and ask for Avery to come over. Explain the situation. Then have Yavin pick the doctor up. I need you to start working on the chore list. Until the doctor looks at Luka, he’ll stay in bed.” Zed handed the list to Bishop. “Start with ordering food to fill the kitchen. Then clothes and other personal items.”
    “Yes, sir,” Bishop said. He turned and walked out the door.
    “Thank you,” Luka said. He just hoped it wasn’t too much trouble and Zed didn’t decide to get rid of him.
    “Not so fast. What’s wrong with your leg?” Zed asked, focusing on his bad leg.
    “My knee hurts.” Luka looked away. He felt weak and stupid. “The doctor will take care of it.”
    Zed moved in. “I’m going to rip the fabric around your knee and pull it off your body. I want to look at it.”
    “No, that’s okay. We can wait for the doctor.”
    Luka tried to block Zed, but the vampire moved in. He ripped the pants just above the knee. Luka braced himself for the pain, but there wasn’t any. With Zed’s long nails and teeth, he cut through the material. When his naked leg was exposed, Zed gasped.
    Luka moved a pillow trying to cover the damage. He knew the swollen knee and the deep, purple bruises that covered most of his leg looked hideous.
    Zed pushed the pillow aside. “Who did this to you?”
    Luka started laughing. He didn’t know why, but he