Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 60

Derek opened his eyes to see Lucy still peacefully resting. His eyes wandered over her swollen face and he felt his chest tightening. She had endured so much. He wished there was a way he could take it on himself. Let him take the pain and the wounds. If only the soul mate bond would allow such a thing. He would do it in a heartbeat. He stayed there watching her for a few more moments before he eased himself away, crept to the door, and shut it quietly behind him. "Aba." Derek said quietly.

"I'm here." Abaddon said as he materialized in front of him.

"I want you to watch over her in case she wakes up. I'm going to go and talk with her family. I'm sure they are anxiously waiting to hear how she is. If she wakes, come and get me immediately." Derek watched Abaddon nod his head. "Thank you, Aba... for going above and beyond trying to locate her." He smiled at Abaddon and walked past him patting the man on his shoulder. A simple gesture but spoke volumes between both men.

Derek made his way down the winding stairs and back to the main floor. His eyes widened in surprise, shocked to see all of her family sitting there waiting. The younger generation took to the floor on bean bags and blankets. While chairs were brought in for everyone else. Everyone was waiting for him to tell them about Lucy. They did even want to leave the lower door because of their concern for Lucy. A smile crept over his face. They all loved his little mate so much.

Jasper jumped to his feet followed by Aiden and Justice. Wyatt and Freya also stood up and stepped closer to Derek. Everyone was quiet and was waiting anxiously to hear his report.

"She's resting again." Derek said softly. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He had seen Lucy's memories and it made him nauseous having to recall them. Better him though than Lucy.

"He had been forcing her to ingest a magic blocker. And when she fought against him or was disobedient he punished her. His punishments mainly consisted of hitting her and choking her. He was trying to condition her... He did force his lips on her as well..." Derek shook his head as he breathed out angrily. "But thankfully he was so conceited that he didn't force it more than that. He expected her to want him and was waiting for that. She stayed defiant and spirited though. All the way up to the moment Aken rescued her." Derek watched as Alexis' lips quivered and she turned into Raine. Her mate had saved Lucy. He risked his own self to save her cousin and all because he knew Alexis was hurting. And Lucy endured all of that just for her. Derek was sure that this was emotional for Alexis in more ways than one. Especially since Aken had stressed again he would be avoiding her.

"She's okay though. Besides her physical wounds... surprisingly her mental state seems much better. In fact, it felt the same... at least as of now. The moment everything flowed between us she was okay. She's strong... stronger than me." Derek said with a quiet sob. To see everything she went through and he couldn't have done a thing about it. Even if he was there he wasn't strong enough to save her. The punishment his sweet mate took... it was senseless and cruel. And seeing her memories of what happened... they hurt him. And now that he was away from Lucy he was letting some of that pain out.

Jasper walked up to Derek and clutched the back of his head. He leaned his forehead into him and they just stood there quietly like that.

Cody pulled Kelsie into his chest as other couples quietly held their partners close. Freya leaned into Wyatt and quietly cried. Jin also wept into Jason's chest while Rhea stood there with Lee holding her close. Lilly and Tyler stood next to each other holding hands. There was a wide range of emotions. Relief and anger being the primary ones. They were all worried about how Lucy would be affected after what happened. No one knew exactly what she had been through and how she would handle it.

Brian, Aiden, Micah and Justice were angry. They didn't like the idea of having to wait until this Erebus was caught. They all wanted to see the man dead now.

"I know there is a lot of anger about what happened to Lucy. But we must leave that up to Levi and the other deities." Titus finally spoke slowly but with a deep resonating belief. "But there is something that the dragons can focus on now. And that is this witch. I will be heading up a small group and going to search for her. I will also have Brian leading another group. I know he has some pent-up frustration to let out."

"Hell yeah I do," Brian growled.

"You wolves continue to stay out of this fight. Our family has had enough pain these past two weeks. We won't risk anymore by something happening to any of you." Titus looked over at Wyatt. "I'll send Reese and a couple of others to the Diamond pack for now... so please stay here while Lucy is recovering."

Wyatt didn't put up a fight. Reese was a strong dragon and right now he couldn't leave his daughter already. Not yet, not after everything that had happened. "Yes... we will stay here." He felt Freya nod her head against his side. She didn't want to leave Lucy either. "One more thing. It seems Erebus plans to claim the witch's soul after her death. We are going to have to think about how we wish to handle pursuing her..." Derek looked at the nods in the room.

"Well, we at least need to capture her by any means necessary. We can't have another threat on the loose." Wyatt sighed this was something else they would have to think about.

"I want to see her," Aiden whispered out looking up at Derek.

Derek nodded his head. He knew everyone wanted to see and talk with her. "I'll talk with her and I'll let you know when she is ready. We could use some button-up shirts for now while she is still mending. As well as some other clothes so I can get her cleaned up. How long will it take for her to regain her healing or for someone to be able to heal her?"

"I tried to heal her and it wouldn't work at all. I honestly don't know. But we will keep trying. My best guess is it should only take a couple of days. But Abaddon would probably have more experience with this stuff than me." Lilly admitted. It was weird referring to the half-demon and even depending on him for information. But she had seen the difference and this Abaddon was not the same. This was not the demon that had hunted the fairy princesses. And after seeing his back story she actually felt sorry for him. "I want to get back to her before she wakes up... Jasper... for now you can stay here. I know you want to be able to see her too. In a few days though I would like for you to return to head up the vampires in battle and the search for the witch." Derek watched as Jasper nodded his head in understanding.

"In a few days, he won't need to be in battle. I'll have that witch's army burnt to ashes and have her captured." Brian snorted with a smirk.

"I hope you do." Derek said with a tired smile as he turned to head back up the stairs. Upon entering the room again he saw Abaddon sitting next to the bed watching over Lucy who stirred. Her eyes opened and she glanced around the room. Derek quickly made his way over to her. "Is there anything I can get for you?" Abaddon asked, wanting to be of some assistance.

"Food." Lucy said with a smile. "I'm starving."

Derek chuckled and brushed her hair back from her cheek with the back of his hand. The satisfying sparks and tingles surged through him. He had really missed that feeling. "Food sounds incredible. Everyone is wanting to see you whenever you are ready that is." "I'll see anyone who gets me out of bed rest." Lucy said with a cheesy smile that both Derek and Abaddon were not amused by.

"Sorry, Lucy. You have to heal the human way for now." Derek grinned as he listened to her aggravated thoughts.

"I'll bring up some food and fresh clothes." Abaddon lowered his head in a slight bow before he vanished from the room.

"It feels so weird not having my powers. I can't even shift right now." Lucy said with a pout.

"It will be good for you to rest and take things slow for a couple of days. And I will be right here by your side. I promise." Derek eased onto the bed next to her and helped adjust her upwards into his chest.

"Don't do this Derek, please. There is nothing you could have done. And if anything you could have gotten killed. I'm not glass. I'm okay. I'm angry and frustrated that a deity can be that powerful. But I'm okay. We are okay." Lucy whispered as she played with Derek's fingers. She could feel his protective vibe seeping into her. He was going overboard with it. Thinking he would never leave her side. It wasn't practical. Though for now having him constantly next to her was exactly what she wanted. It was what they both wanted and needed.

"I can't ever lose you, Lucy. I can't live without you. I won't live without you."

"I need you too." Lucy felt him lift her hand up to his mouth. He planted delicate feather-like kisses over her fingertips. "You know I have been moving around just fine even with broken ribs. I don't need to lay in bed."

"Nice try, little mate. But it isn't going to happen. Besides, you have an army of family members down there that will kill me if I let you up to walk around." Derek chuckled. "You have an amazing family Lucy. They are all just sitting at the bottom of the stairs. All of them. Just waiting to hear how you are doing. They are all here for you. They love you."

"I know." Lucy smiled. "They really are the best. After I get cleaned up they can come up. I'd at least like to get this dried blood off of me. And to have clothes on. Besides... I have something I want to give Alexis." She looked up at Derek and he chuckled slightly already knowing. That soulmate bond was simply amazing.

"Here are your clothes." Abaddon said, appearing in the room. "And they are having dinner prepared for the two of you."

"Tell them to have a family dinner prepared. I'd like to eat dinner with everyone." Lucy said and watched as Abaddon's eyes lit up.

"They will be very happy to hear this. I'll let them know."

"That includes you too, Aba." Lucy watched as his eyes flickered slightly. They appeared to have watered but that quickly it was hidden. He nodded his head with a smile.

"Aba. I'm going to be getting Lucy cleaned up. So if you need us make sure to use the door." Derek winked at him and Abaddon chuckled, nodding his head before flashing out again.

"Are you sure you are up for everyone at the same time?" Derek asked.

"Yes. It will be nice for everything to feel normal." Lucy sighed and looked at herself. "I really want a bath bath."

"I know you do. Let's start with this for now okay? You'll be healed in no time and will be able to get that bath you are dreaming about. I'm feeling a little bit jealous. I think you missed the bathtub more than you missed me."

Lucy giggled and winced. "Don't make me laugh."

Derek leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back."

Derek brought back a basin with water and sat it near the side of the bed. He pulled the sheet down from her and unbuttoned the shirt her father had left for her when Lilly was tending to her wounds. He sucked in air through his teeth as he looked her body over. His eyes met with hers and began to water again. His poor little mate.