Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Ashwiyaa
“Just because you feel lost doesn’t mean that you are.Sometimes you just have to relax, breathe deep, and trust the pathyou’re on.” -Lalah Delia
“Ican help with that,” Seraphina says cautiously.
“You can?” I’m highly doubtful of her abilities.
“I can’t leave the cave, but if you come here, I can heal your wounds.”
I frown and step forward. “What do you mean, you can’t leave the cave?”
“I’ll tell you after I’ve healed you. You look like you’re going to fall on your face,” she replies, her hand emerging from her cloak to reveal a gleaming golden dagger.
I stiffen and narrow my eyes at her, but it’s Kai’s low growl that stops her in her tracks.
“What the fuck are you going to do with that?” he rumbles.
Seraphina’s eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn’t answer; instead, she extends her hand toward me. Deciding to trust her, I step into the cave and place my hand in hers, feeling a mix of uneasiness and curiosity.
With a swift motion, she flips my hand, exposing my palm to the sky, and deftly slices across it, causing a thin line of blood to well up.
Slicing her own palm, she grips my hand tightly in hers.
The moment our blood meets, light flashes behind my eyes with an intensity that sends a jolt of light and energy pulsing through my body, awakening every synapse.
Within seconds, all my broken bones, cuts, and bruises are gone. Unfortunately, I still have blood and dirt all over me, clinging like a second skin.
“You’re glowing. Why are you glowing?” Kai says, his voice sounding distant.
Blinking my eyes open, I drop Seraphina’s hand and stand there in utter confusion. My dark skin is adorned with golden bands and marks, forming a captivating pattern. These are new markings I’ve never seen before. I lift my arms up and twist them, trying to understand what I’m seeing.
“What did you do?” I ask Seraphina.
She shrugs. “My blood heals wounds and sickness. I didn’t do anything to you apart from that.
Whatever those markings are, you’ve always had them.
They were just locked away or hidden. I do feel an increase in your magic, though.
” She tilts her head, assessing me with those eerie dragon eyes. “You are a very powerful witch.”
“No shit,” Kai snorts, running a hand over his head.
I look over at him and falter—he looks tired.
“Are you okay?” I ask, scanning him from head to toe.
“Yeah, I’m just done with this place.”
My heart feels heavy, sinking in my chest. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t be here. Kai’s quiet groan breaks the silence, instantly capturing my attention. In the next second, I’m standing directly in front of him.
“Is it the wounds on your back?”
“I’m fine,” he replies, his voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion. “Just do your thing so we can get home. Because I don’t plan on letting you leave my bed ever again,” he whispers with a mischievous smile.
“Seriously?” I mutter, exasperated. “Turn around and show me.”
Kai releases his grip on me, his movements strained as he turns and slowly lifts his shirt.
My heart thumps painfully as I catch a glimpse of his battered and bloodied back.
The sight sends shivers down my spine, and I tentatively reach out, gripping the fabric of his shirt with my trembling fingers.
Anger wells up inside me, mingling with the hot tears that blur my vision.
How could I not have noticed my mate’s pain?
He isn’t healing at all anymore.
“Hey, baby, I’m fine. Calm down before you put us in the dark again.”
I swallow over the lump in my throat and realize shadows have begun to swirl aggressively around us, taking up the small entrance of the cave. I suck in a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and release his shirt.
“I can heal him,” Seraphina says from behind me.
“Yes . . . yes, you can heal him,” I whisper, trying to pull myself together.
I’m unsure if it’s panic or shock, but the sight of Kai in this state unsettles me. I tightly grip Kai’s arm, guiding him over to Seraphina.