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“You never have to ask,” Hedda said, sad and quiet.

“Thank you.” Lunara hiked her chin at Pet and summoned a robe from her pocket of the ether. “You, too. Come on out. The more the merrier.” She held it out, waiting for Magnus to shift back to himself.

And waiting.

“Bastard’s been like that all day.” Faldir cleared his throat, looking away. “I think the wolf is ruling him.”

Sisters save all of them if this became a thing with the Imperial Sons. Honestly.

No matter. You’re the Keeper. You’ve fed from your mate. You feel bleeding fantastic. It will be fine.

She practically felt her inner self ticking off fingers. All good points. She was probably still scarred from the last time Fern was in such a state.

“This is going to be a bit bumpy.” She rolled back the wide sleeves on her gown. “Araxis is with Brand, so don’t worry about him, but if it’s bad enough that I don’t rouse with the usual gifts, you’ll need to find Cordelia. She can guide you to my cottage. That’s only as a last resort if I’m quite literally dying, which I won’t be, so think long and hard before you make that choice. He needs this time without worry. Are we clear?”

Look at you bossing everyone around. You’re starting to sound a bit…Realm Ruler-y.

Sisters save her.

She climbed into the bed and got comfortable, her hands hovering an inch from Fern’s scorching skin. “I’m going to need your word and agreement on that.”

Everyone mumbled, Pet huffing.

“Excellent.” She made eye contact with Hedda, the Demon nodding. “Shall we?”

Hedda hopped up and scooted in close, laying a hand on her shoulder. With a steadying breath, Lunara freed both the well and Illamiata⁠—

Right before contact, Fern roused enough to turn her head and glare, lips peeling back. “Not my mind. Not ready. Kill you, if you do.”

O…kay…

To her shame, Lunara wasn’t thinking at all about the wall of shadow blocking Fern’s memories. It had been one thing after another since she figured out how to fix it. Now, though, it apparently didn’t matter. She wouldn’t do anything without Fern’s consent, even if she thought it might be good for her friend.

Not yet, anyway. Not unless she took a turn that couldn’t be denied.

Another breath, and she sent her threads of iridescent power into Fern’s⁠—

Shitting stars and arses, what the fuck!

Lunara gagged, instantly devoured by the suppuration when she connected with the fractures. It twisted her stomach until it was naught more than a pit of boiling acid threatening to spill over. She swallowed the saliva that flooded her mouth, gritting her teeth, barely staying upright.

When she retched again, a bucket appeared courtesy of Faldir, and tears sprang to her eyes—whether from the care of her friends or the sheer fucking agony, she wasn’t sure. She thought of Brand helping her the first time she healed Fern, holding a pail just the same. Braiding her hair back. Drawing cool cloths across her forehead.

Somehow, this might be worse than that initial healing, and she ached for his company.

Still, having the others was a balm.

Lunara pushed more magic through, searing away the ill particles being pumped with every weak beat of Fern’s heart. She cried out against burning rot, her fangs dropping, cutting into her lip and tongue, as they so often did when the healing was particularly horrific. When her body perceived the threat of something that didn’t belong.

Another push and she entered that mindless place, where her soul fused to the creature in her care. Where she absorbed the suffering and offered relief at the expense of herself, their shared torment twining together.

Sweat dropped from her forehead and she heaved again, finally losing what little was in her stomach. Fern loosed a weak sob, spasming and arching. Lunara fought against it, holding her as still as she could.

“You’re doing so well, Fern,” she whispered. “So very well, my darling friend. Try to breathe and follow my voice. Just a little longer.”

It wasn’t until Pet nuzzled his face into Fern’s neck that her thrashing stopped, replaced by wheezing, shuddering breaths.

“Good. That’s wonderful. Try to relax, you’re almost there.”