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“It’s good to be back,” Sorin admitted. Then he added, “I’m locking them out until she wakes up. They will not be happy.”
“I will take care of it,” Briar said as a portal of water appeared.
“And make sure they don’t torture the mortals too much,” Sorin said with a grimace. Cyrus was going to be outraged to learn he had to babysit humans for a time.
“Done,” Briar said. He stepped through the water portal, and it snapped shut behind him.
Sorin took a deep breath and took it all in. He was finally home. His magic, although nearly depleted, simmered in his veins. He walked to his bedroom, found Scarlett hadn’t moved, and continued on to the bathing room. His bathtub was more of a bathing pool. It was ten feet long and three feet deep. It was already full, and he had just enough magic left to heat the water. As he passed a hand overthe top of the water, steam began to rise. He was still in his fighting leathers from their two-day trek to the border. Those events seemed as though they’d happened weeks ago. He peeled his sweat-laden clothes from himself and eased into the pool. Benches lined the edges of the tub, and he collapsed onto one.
A half hour later, he was so relaxed he could hardly keep his eyes open. He slid on loose pants and walked out to his room.
And stopped short.
Lying at the foot of the bed was a panther as dark as the shadows that swirled around Scarlett. The panther lifted its head as Sorin came into the room, a low growl escaping from it.
“Shirina,” he breathed, bowing low. The goddess Saylah’s spirit animal had not been seen in… Sorin actually had no idea when the goddess’ panther had last been seen.
The panther cocked its head to the side, her silver eyes glowing as they studied him. Then, with a slight nod of her head, she settled back down, closing her eyes. Sorin slowly made his way to Scarlett, giving the panther a wide berth. She had shifted slightly in her sleep, and the color had left her cheeks. He grimaced as he pushed through the biting shadows to feel her forehead and found it icy to the touch.
“Shit,” he muttered under his breath.
As if in answer, there was a soft knocking on the bedroom door. He turned to find Beatrix standing in the doorway. She was older, her hair with more grey than not, but being an immortal, she did not look her age. She looked past him to Scarlett, and a frown formed.
“You must be exhausted,” Sorin said quietly.
“As are you, Prince,” she replied with a curt nod of her head.
Beatrix came to Sorin’s side, unfazed by the panther sleeping at the foot of the bed, and held her hands over Scarlett. White light flowed from them as she passed them over her body. The light pushed through the shadows, and he could see the effort Beatrix was having to exert to do so. She paused for a moment and reached for the bowl on the nightstand—just in time for Scarlett to lurch forward and vomit. His very soul ached for her. His twin flame.Sorin reached into the shadows once more and held her hair back. When she was done, she settled back into the pillows. Her eyes were half open, but they locked onto Sorin. She studied him, her eyes seeming to search his. Beatrix muttered a spell low under her breath, and her eyes fluttered shut once more.
“She should sleep for a few hours again,” Beatrix said, pulling Sorin from his thoughts.
“Good,” Sorin mustered, not taking his eyes from Scarlett, an idea forming in his mind.
“Summon me if needed. Do not let her get up if she wakes,” Beatrix warned.
“If she wakes?” Sorin repeated, his eyes snapping to the Healer. “I thought you were keeping her asleep until the withdrawal is over.”
“I am trying, Sorin,” Beatrix replied. “She is strong. I cannot say how long I can keep her in this state.”
Sorin nodded in understanding, his eyes going back to Scarlett. If he could communicate down the twin flame connection…
He felt a delicate hand on his arm, and he turned to find kind, violet eyes studying him with tender understanding.
“Do not go into her mind right now, Sorin,” Beatrix said softly. “Her mind and body and soul are in great turmoil. You must not add to it.”
“But I could help her through it,” Sorin argued, his eyes returning to the female in his bed.
“No,” Beatrix answered, shaking her head. “You do not know what you will discover there. It would be a great breach of trust. She has not yet accepted the bond. And with her magic? I do not know if you would come back. She could unknowingly trap you there.”
Sorin did not respond. The twin flame connection would give him access to everything she was feeling and experiencing right now. If he could go in for just a moment, see where she was struggling, he could take a little of the burden.
“Sorin Aditya,” Beatrix said, her voice more authoritative and commanding than it had been a moment ago. He turned again to look at her and found her violet eyes severe with disapproval. “I maybe a dominant Healer, but I can still access the crafts of my sisters. She will change the course of history.”
“No,” Sorin interrupted. “I know Talwyn wants to use her. She cannot have her.”
“We will need her, Sorin.Andyou,” the Healer continued. “We will need what you two will become together, as well as what she will become on her own. Until she can control her magic and we know the extent of her power, you must act with diligence.”
“I hear you, Beatrix,” Sorin conceded. “Thank you. For everything.”
