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"Let's get back to the city." I pushed myself up, but the moment I put weight on my left ankle, pain shot through my leg where a deep cut remained. I stumbled, the room tilting dangerously.

Aether was there in an instant, his arms steadying me. But even after I found my balance, he didn't let go. The heat of him seeped through the thin shirt, and I became acutely aware of how close we were.

"I'm sorry," he said finally, his breath warm against my ear.

"It's not your fault." The words came out barely above a whisper as moisture formed in my eyes.

We stayed like that, neither moving away, and I realized it was the first time since entering this realm that I felt truly safe. The first time the constant weight in my chest had lifted, even just a little. I didn't know how long we stood there, but I knew that something had shifted between us—something I wasn't ready to name.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Our boots hitthe worn stone path as we left the stables. Vexa burst through a side door, looking nothing like herself. Her violet eyes were glassy from lack of sleep, and she was missing several of the piercings that typically dotted her features—something I'd never seen from her before, even at her most casual.

"Where have you two been?" Her voice came out hoarse, as if she'd been shouting. "Urkin is furious."

"Well, he's about to be even more furious once we speak to him." Aether was already striding toward the Citadel.

"You can't right now, he's been called into a Council meeting in Stravene. He left an hour ago." The words tumbled out as she tried to match his pace.

Aether stopped and we shared a knowing look as my stomach twisted. The Council already knew.Fuck. Aether trudged back over to us and I noticed how he positioned himself closer than before, his tensed forearm grazing against me.

Vexa's tired eyes darted between us. "Did something happen? In Draxon?" She lowered her voice. "You were gone way longer thanwe agreed on. And Aether, you could have let us know you were going with her."

I tugged at my sleeve, trying to cover the bandages that wrapped my arm, suddenly aware of how exposed I felt. "There were, erm, complications."

Her gaze locked onto the movement, then shot to Aether. Understanding dawned on her face, followed immediately by rage.

"What did he do?" The words came out as a growl, her hands curling into fists.

I opened my mouth, but how could I even begin to explain? The feeding, the darkness, the way Aether had torn them apart? The political chaos we'd just unleashed?

"We can't discuss it here." Aether's tone left no room for argument. "Later."

Vexa's fingers tapped against her weapon belt, but she nodded, though the anger didn't leave her eyes.

"What happened at the rip?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

Her expression shifted from fury to something that made my stomach drop.

"That's the other thing." She gave Aether a pained look before turning toward the medic's wing, her steps dragging against the path. "Come with me."

The infirmary doorcreaked open to reveal two occupied beds. Effie and Theron sat propped against pillows, their faces drawn and pale. I rushed to them, questions tumbling out before I could organize my thoughts.

"We're fine," Effie managed, but her eyes darted past me, exchanging a look with someone I couldn't see.

I turned to find Mira and Rethlyn seated in an alcove near the entrance, both looking like they'd been dragged through something unimaginable. Rethlyn met my gaze and gave a slight nod, but something in his expression made my stomach clench.

My eyes swept the room again, counting faces, and understanding hit me like a physical blow.

Aether's dark form cut through the room toward the back. I followed without thinking, my feet carrying me forward even as dread built in my chest. He reached a privacy curtain, yanking it back with enough force to rattle the rod above.

A lanky figure lay face-down on the bed, a white sheet draped across his lower half.

Lael.

Aether knelt beside the bed, his shoulders rigid as he examined the boy. The skin across Lael's back was raw and blackened, split open in places where something had torn through flesh. Some areas had begun to blister and weep, while others remained blackened and tight. The damage continued down his arms, disappearing beneath the sheet.

Aether shot to his feet, pacing back to the center of the room. "What happened?" The words came out as a growl.