Chapter 31
The Return
N esilhan
The healing chamber fills with Banu's musical laughter as she recounts another elaborate tale from our shared past, her delicate hands gesturing wildly as she spins what I'm fairly certain is a completely fabricated story about the time we supposedly convinced the entire Light Court that I was secretly a were-rabbit.
"And then," she continues, her green eyes dancing with mischief, though something in her timing feels slightly off, "you actually hopped across the throne room during the formal dinner, nose twitching and everything.
The High Chancellor was so scandalized, he dropped his soup directly into his lap.
Hot leek and potato, if memory serves. Very undignified squealing ensued. "
"I did not hop," I protest through giggles, though the mental image she's painting is so absurd I can't help but laugh. "That's completely ridiculous."
"Oh, but you did!" Banu insists, launching herself into what appears to be a demonstration of rabbit-like movements that would be more convincing if she weren't still recovering from broken ribs.
"Very dignified hopping, mind you. You maintained perfect posture throughout the entire performance. It was quite elegant, really."
The healers had suggested that happy memories might help restore more of my past, but I suspect Banu is inventing half of these stories purely for entertainment value. Not that I mind—her ridiculous tales are exactly what I need after days of heavy revelations and darker truths.
"You're making this up," I accuse, settling more comfortably in the chair beside her bed.
"I would never!" she gasps with mock indignation, one hand pressed to her chest in a theatrical display of wounded innocence. "Though I may be embellishing certain details for effect. Creative license, you understand. The truth is often terribly boring without proper seasoning."
Before I can respond, Elcin enters, her storm-gray eyes immediately cataloguing the scene. She's cleaned up since our return, but still carries herself like someone ready for battle.
"Well, this looks cozy," she observes with dry wit, settling into another chair near Banu's bed. "Family recovery time in the Shadow Court. Much more civilized than I expected."
"Elcin," I say with relief, grateful for her steady presence. "I'm glad you're still here."
"Someone needs to keep an eye on things," she replies, though her attention shifts as footsteps echo in the corridor.
The chamber doors swing open with a flourish that announces my brother's arrival before he even speaks.
Zohan strides in with that otherworldly grace that still takes my breath away, his golden hair catching the crystal light as he surveys the scene with obvious relief.
Behind him, two guards maintain a discreet but watchful distance—clearly escorting rather than accompanying him.
A pang of guilt hits me as I see him. I should have checked on him, should have asked Kaan what exactly "under investigation" meant for my brother's treatment.
The sight of the guards makes my stomach clench—part of me wants to ask how he managed this visit, whether he's been released, or if this is some kind of supervised meeting, but I bite back the questions.
"Nesilhan," he says warmly, crossing to my side with arms outstretched, though the guards' presence makes the gesture somewhat awkward. "You look much better today. The color has returned to your cheeks."
"I feel stronger," I agree, accepting his embrace while noting the way Banu's expression immediately shifts to something approaching distaste.
"Oh, wonderful," Banu says with saccharine sweetness. "Prince Shiny has graced us with his presence. Should I curtsy from bed?"
"Banu," I warn, though I can't quite suppress my smile at her obvious disdain.
Elcin watches the exchange with interest.
Zohan's jaw tightens at the fairy's less-than-respectful greeting, but he maintains his diplomatic composure. "Lady Banu. I'm pleased to see you've recovered from your... ordeal."
"Oh, you're pleased?" Banu replies with bright, pointed cheer. "How thoughtful of you to spare a thought for the little fairy who nearly died saving your sister."
"Banu, behave," I say more firmly, though part of me is curious about the obvious animosity between them.
"I am behaving," she protests with wide-eyed innocence. "This is me on my very best behavior."
Elcin clears her throat diplomatically. "Perhaps we should focus on more pressing matters. Like, why is Zohan traveling with an escort?" Her tone is neutral but pointed.
Zohan settles into the chair across from us, his blue eyes never leaving my face with that protective intensity I'm beginning to recognize as characteristic, though he glances nervously at the guards. "How are you feeling? Truly?"
"Better each day," I reply honestly. "The healers say the magical exhaustion is mostly healed, though I still tire easily."
"And the baby?" His gaze drops meaningfully to my belly, concern creasing his perfect features.
"Strong and active," I assure him, my hand moving instinctively to the gentle swell. "The connection is fully restored."
"Thank the Gods," he breathes, genuine relief flooding his expression. "When I heard about the attack, about what those creatures did to you..." His hands clench into fists, controlled fury flickering behind his diplomatic mask.
"Very traumatic for everyone," Banu interjects with false brightness. "Though some people managed to avoid the actual trauma by being conveniently elsewhere."
"Where exactly were you when your sister was being tortured?" she continues sweetly. "Such interesting timing, Goldilocks."
"Don't call me that," Zohan snaps, his diplomatic composure finally cracking.
"What, Goldilocks?" Banu asks with delighted innocence. "But it suits you perfectly! All that lovely golden hair, always wandering where you don't belong..."
Elcin's expression sharpens at Banu's pointed questions, her tactical mind clearly processing the implications.
"My name is Zohan," he says through gritted teeth.
"Oh, I know what your name is," Banu replies with cheerful malice. "I just think Goldilocks suits you better."
"Banu, enough," I say, though I can't deny there's something satisfying about watching my brother's perfect composure crack under her relentless needling.
"Fine, fine," she sighs theatrically, settling back against her pillows. "I'll be good. Invalid fairy privileges and all that."
Zohan takes a careful breath, clearly working to regain his diplomatic mask. "I came to discuss your future," he says to me, his voice carefully controlled. "The Light Court has made arrangements—safe passage, secure lodging, protection for you and the child."
"Arrangements?" I repeat, something cold settling in my stomach.
"We can't leave you here, Nesilhan," he continues earnestly. "Not with him growing more unstable by the day. The poison is changing him, making him dangerous in ways you can't imagine."
"Here comes the rescue fantasy," Banu mutters under her breath.
"The poison spreads because he absorbs shadow poison to contain it," I say quietly. "He's dying slowly to keep the curse from claiming him completely."
"And how many innocent people has he murdered while containing this supposed curse?" Zohan demands, leaning forward with desperate intensity. "How many villages burned while he 'contains' his transformation?"
The question hits harder than I'd like to admit. I've seen the destruction he's capable of, witnessed the way violence feeds the poison in his system. But I've also seen him fight against that darkness, seen the self-loathing that follows each loss of control.
"Everyone's a critic," Banu observes dryly. "Though you weren't particularly helpful when she needed rescuing."
"I was—" Zohan begins.
"Conveniently absent," Banu finishes helpfully. "Very mysterious timing."
"That's enough," Zohan snarls, his perfect mask finally slipping completely. "I won't be lectured by a fairy who?—"
The temperature in the chamber drops so suddenly that frost begins forming on the windows.
Shadows pour through the doorway like living smoke, announcing Kaan's arrival before he materializes from darkness itself.
He looks exhausted, the silver veins of poison more pronounced than when he left, but alive.
Zohan immediately rises from his chair, tension radiating from every line of his body. "I should go," he says quickly, moving toward the door with obvious haste. "We'll continue this conversation later, Nesilhan."
"Running along so soon, Goldilocks?" Banu calls sweetly. "How disappointing."
But Zohan was already gone, disappearing through the doorway with the speed of someone who's decided discretion is the better part of valor, his guards following behind.
"Well, that was fun," Banu observes with satisfaction. "Nothing like watching true colors show through the diplomatic mask."
Kaan moves to my side with careful steps, exhaustion evident in every line of his body. " Hatun ," he says softly, his voice rougher than when he left. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," I reply, studying his face with growing concern. "But you look terrible. What happened?"
He settles into the chair Zohan vacated, shadows coiling around his feet like faithful pets. "I met with Erlik. We... came to an arrangement."
"Oh, this should be fascinating," Banu says, settling back with anticipation. "I'm sure it was full of heartwarming moments and absolutely no threats whatsoever."
Kaan's expression darkens at her tone, but he continues. "He agreed to remove the poison—but there's a price."
"There's always a price with demons," Banu interjects with false cheer. "Usually souls or firstborn children."
"What kind of price?" I ask, though I'm already dreading the answer.
"He wants to meet you," Kaan says quietly. "In Kara Cehennem. He claims there's a purification ritual that will ensure no remnants of the curse affect our child."