Chapter 23
Aurora
The black vortex deposits me onto the floor of the community lodge in Ni’haan. I fall on my hands and knees, trying to grasp onto something solid to stop the spinning. Camryn flops next to me, her eyes squeezed tightly shut.
Arc saunters to an empty table and sits, watching Camryn and I groan on the floor. I swallow and glance around, finding the room nearly empty except for Maeve, the young traveler, kneeling beside a large form several feet from us.
Soren!
I crawl to him. Maeve’s small palm is on his forehead and her eyes are closed, a look of concentration on her face.
“Soren? Soren. Wake up,” I whimper.
Maeve speaks, her eyes remaining closed. “He will be alright. I am healing his internal injuries, so I’m keeping him sedated until I finish.”
I turn back to Arc. “Why did you hurt him like that?!”
He sighs. “Would you rather have brought him home made of stone?” His icy eyes pierce mine. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
Camryn is on her feet in a flash, flying to the table where Arc sits alone. “You’re an asshole! Yeah, thanks for saving us. But I have a feeling it didn’t have to be as dramatic as you made it out to be. What is wrong with you? Do you just enjoy seeing people in pain?”
She places her palms flat against the table, bracing herself in front of Arc’s face. The two glare at each other.
I turn away, focusing on Soren. He’s here. I kneel beside Maeve and grip his hand.
“He feels you here,” she says in her melodic voice. “Your presence and healing power will help speed his recovery.”
Tears well in my eyes as I admire his handsome face, so peaceful despite his injuries. I’m grateful to Maeve for what she is doing for him.
I call upon my power and let the warmth flow from my body into his. When my magic retreats after a few moments, I glance at Maeve, who opens her eyes to return my gaze.
“He should move to a bed. He needs rest before he will wake up.”
I am about to turn to Arc when Caelum appears from a dark corner. “I’ll get the big guy. It seems like everyone has had a bit of a rough day.”
Before I can say anything, the large fae male bends down and scoops Soren into his arms as if he weighs nothing.
I get to my feet and touch Caelum’s arm. “Thank you.”
His warm golden eyes look at me, and he nods before striding past Arc toward the door. I rush ahead of him, pushing it open. I glance back at Camryn, who’s still glaring at Arc.
“Camryn?” My brows pull together.
She tears her fiery gaze away from the cursed lord. “You go ahead. I’m right behind you.”
Maeve sneaks by me, walking in the opposite direction of where Caelum is heading with Soren.
I hustle to catch up with Caelum, the chilly mountain air nipping at my nose. It wasn’t this cold in the Mirrored Forest, and I wonder exactly how far it is from here. How far we shadow stepped.
Alone with Soren sleeping soundly in Mei’s cottage, I settle onto the edge of the bed and brush away loose strands of dark hair from his face.
I run my hand over the brash stubble along his jawline.
When I saw him briefly in the woods, his hands and face bore scrapes and scratches.
But all that remains is a thin layer of dirt and dried blood.
As if reading my mind, Mei knocks softly on the door before entering with a bowl of warm water and cloth.
She places it on the bedside table and glances at Soren before turning to me.
“Please let me know if there is anything else you need. I am cooking up an herbal broth that will help his recovery.”
I stare at her warm brown eyes. “Maeve. She’s the seer you told us about.”
Mei nods and smiles faintly. “She’s a sweet girl.
She’s been receiving visions since she arrived.
Things change and they aren’t always accurate.
But when she started telling me about visions of a woman who sounded a lot like what I knew of you from my dreams, things started coming in clearer.
” She peers over my shoulder at Soren, lying soundlessly.
I smile politely. “Thank you.”
Mei squeezes my shoulder before exiting.
I turn to the bowl and dip in the cloth, wringing out the excess water. The scent of pine and sage kiss the air. I dab gently, coaxing the dirt and grime from his face.
“You stubborn man,” I say softly. “You shouldn’t have risked your life like that.” My brows pull together. “But I’m glad you’re here. And you’re safe.” I sigh.
The bowl of water turns murky as I continue to cleanse the visible patches of skin on his body. I contemplate stripping him down to give him a full sponge bath, but I know people will come and go, and I don’t think he’d appreciate the exposure.
But I’m desperate to touch his skin. To curl up against his bare chest.
I gaze down at him. He’s not in full armor, wearing dark leather pants tucked into thick boots. Leather greaves cover his legs from the shin to knee, and a wool tunic is snugly tucked beneath his leather breastplate.
As my eyes lay upon my sleeping sentinel, panic erupts in my chest. Ash. His beloved stallion and companion. The horse wasn’t in the woods with Soren. What happened to him?
I hop from the bed and burst through the door, hurrying to the front room. Mei stands over the hearth, stirring broth. She turns my way, but it is Caelum at the table who I have my sights on, just as Camryn walks through the door.
My heart beats wildly as I reach Caelum’s side. “You have to find his horse.”
His hand halts with a cup of steaming tea pressed to his lips. It’s comical how tiny the mug looks in his large hand, and in any other circumstance I’d laugh. He raises his eyebrows as his gaze fixes on me. “What now?”
“Soren’s horse, Ash. He wasn’t with him in the Mirrored Forest. You need to find him.” My eyes scan his face. “Now!”
Caelum sets down his tea before looking at me. “Whoa, now. If it wasn’t with him in the woods, one of two things happened. Your sentinel either set it free to return home. Or ...” He looks at me while dragging a finger across his neck.
The gesture is my breaking point. I burst into tears, sobs racking my tired body. I stomp my foot, keenly aware of the hot tears and snot running down my face. “Don’t say that!”
Camryn rushes to my side, rubbing my back while glaring at the large winged male.
Caelum stands abruptly, wearing a look of regret. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry. I’m sure the horse is fine. They’re smart. I will find him.”
Without a thought, I crash to his chest, wrapping my arms around his broad back. Tears drip onto his leather tunic. He stands awkwardly for a moment, letting me comfort myself with his presence. Then his arms wrap around me, cocooning me to his warm body. “Shh. Shh. It’s okay. I got you.”
I sniffle, collecting myself. I pull away from his embrace, wiping my eyes. “Thank you.”
He smiles down at me. “Do you mind if I finish my tea before I go?” He picks up his mug, once again dwarfing it in his hand.
I crinkle my nose, and my lips wobble, threatening to unleash another sob. He takes one look at my face and tosses back the remaining tea like a shot of liquor. “Okay, all done.”
I give Caelum a description of Ash, but he says it won’t be hard to spot a rogue stallion from the sky. Although he can’t shadow step like Arc, Caelum brightens at the prospect of flying over the land and escaping the tension hanging over the village.
He glances at Camryn before nodding his head. “Ladies.”
I watch his large frame slip out the door and turn to Camryn.
She smiles faintly at me. “It’s going to be okay. He’ll find him.” She tips her head toward the hall. “Go be with your man.”
I smile back at her, then turn on my heels, trudging down the hallway.
I slip through the bedroom door, feeling the full weight of the day.
It’s only midday, but I pull the curtains closed to block out as much light as possible.
With the room dimmed, I drag off my boots and thick layers of clothing.
I tug off Soren’s boots and unclasp the greaves from his legs.
I leave his leggings and breast plate on as I don’t want to move him, but I loosen the top of his tunic, allowing my hand to glide across the top of his chest.
Soren takes up most of the bed, but I cuddle up next to him. I gently rest my head on his chest, calmed by the steady beating of his heart.
“We’re not allowed to be apart ever again. Do you hear me?” I snuggle closer to his body, closing my eyes.
“Yes, ma’am,” a voice gravels. I startle from the vibration against my cheek. My eyes flash open, and Soren’s amber eyes crack open to look at me.
“Soren!” I crash my lips to his, forgetting for a moment he is recovering from an injury.
He groans and I pull back. “I’m so sorry!” I trace my thumb over his lips.
“You will always be worth the pain.” His crooked smile nearly shatters my heart.
My palms cradle his face as I search his eyes. “How are you feeling? Do you need me to get anything?”
He exhales. “The only thing I need is for you to lie with me, My Flame.”
I smile and kiss him gently. I desperately want to part his lips with my tongue and show him exactly what I want. But that will have to wait. I settle back against his chest. “Always.”