Read Online The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward - Free Book Online

quiet. “Can I be honest?”
    Oh, shit, she thought. “Yes, please.”
    â€œThe only reason I cared whether she was alive was because I didn’t want you to be told she wasn’t. She was the only thing you were worried about . . . and I couldn’t bear for you to lose her.”
    Bella frowned. “You mean at the end?”
    â€œYes . . . you said you just wanted to make sure she was okay. Those were your last words.”
    Bella reached out and put her palm on his cheek. “I thought I was dying and I didn’t want you to be left all alone. I . . . I saw the light of the Fade. It was all around me, bathing me. I was worried about you . . . about what would happen if I weren’t living.”
    His face blanched even further, proving that there was a color paler than white on the spectrum. “I thought that’s what had been happening. Oh . . . God, I can’t believe how close it was.”
    Doc Jane came up to the gurney. “Sorry to interrupt. I just want to do a quick check on his vitals?”
    â€œOf course.”
    As Bella watched the doctor make fast work of the examination, she thought of the way those ghostly hands had helped her daughter come into the world.
    â€œGood,” Doc Jane said, linking her stethoscope around her neck. “This is good. He’s stabilized and should be able to get up and move around in another hour or so.”
    â€œThank you,” Bella murmured as Z did the same.
    â€œMy pleasure. Believe me. Now, how about the rest of us take off and let you two have some time alone.”
    The crowd dispersed amid offers of help and food and anything else that might be needed. As Wrath went over to the door, he paused and looked at Bella.
    Her grip tightened on Z’s shoulder as the king bowed his head a little and then shut the door.
    She cleared her throat. “May I get you something to—”
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    â€œIt can wait—”
    â€œUntil you leave here?” Z shook his head. “No. It has to be now.”
    Bella pulled a rolling stool over and sat down, stroking his forearm because she couldn’t hold his bandaged hands. “I’m scared. If we don’t . . . can’t bridge this gap . . .”
    â€œMe too.”
    As their words hung in the quiet of the tiled, clinical room, Bella remembered waking up from the C-section that day of the birth. Zsadist’s eyes had been the first thing she’d seen. He’d been in agony as he’d stared down at her, but slowly his pain had lifted, revealing disbelief and then hope.
    â€œShow her the young,” Z had called out sharply. “Quickly.”
    Vishous had rolled the fetal incubator over, and Bella had gotten her first look at their daughter. Dragging with her the IV line that was in her arm, she’d put her fingertips on the Plexiglas shell. The instant her touch fell upon the clear shield, the young had turned her head.
    Bella had looked at Zsadist. “Can we call her Nalla?”
    His eyes had watered. “Yes. Absolutely. Anything you want.”
    He had kissed her and given her his vein and been everything you could want in an attentive, caring mate.
    Coming back to the present she shook her head. “You seemed so happy. Right after the birth. You were rejoicing with the others. You were there for the ribboning of her crib . . . You went to Phury and you sang to him. . . .”
    â€œBecause you were alive and you didn’t have to suffer the loss of your young. My worst fears hadn’t come to pass.” Zsadist lifted one of his hands as if he wanted to rub his eyes, but he frowned, clearly realizing he couldn’t because of the bandages. “I was happy for you.”
    â€œBut after you fed me, you sat by the incubator and reached out to her. You even smiled as she looked your way. There was love in your face, not just relief. What changed?” As he hesitated, she said, “I’m