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Eliza fell silent as Scarlett rose from the bed, pushing down a cry at the pain, and came to her side. “You cannot bear children? Sorin told me it is very difficult for Fae to conceive. Are you sure?” But she trailed off when she saw the look on Eliza’s face.

“I cannot bear living children,” Eliza corrected. “I have conceived children three separate times. After enduring that pain three different times, I will not attempt it again. I never told my partner. It was my burden to bear alone.”

Scarlett wrapped her arms around the female and pulled her into an embrace. “No one should have to bear that alone.”

Eliza stiffened at first and then returned the hug gently, careful of her ribs. When Scarlett pulled back, tears glistened in Eliza’s eyes. “I share it because…” Eliza trailed off, looking out the window. Scarlett let her gather her thoughts, waiting for her to continue. “I share it because you watched your mother be killed in front of you. I share it because you’ve experienced hell, a different sort of hell than me, but a hell nonetheless. I share it because you were to be given to another simply because of the power that courses through your veins. I share it because you went up against Talwyn, for all of us, not knowing what power you would face. I share it because I want you to know you are not alone.” Then she added quietly, “No one else knows. Of the losses.”

Scarlett understood the request in her words. “It is not my tale to tell, and it will not leave this room,” Scarlett replied simply. After another beat of silence, she asked, “Your lover was not your twin flame?”

“No. I don’t believe so. The connection could have maybe settled into place eventually, but he was killed by Night Children many years ago,” Eliza said, bringing her eyes back to Scarlett’s. There was something on her face that Scarlett couldn’t read as she said tentatively, “Finding your twin flame is extremely rare and taking the Mark is a test few dare to do.”

“Sorin said it is an offering of the soul,” Scarlett recalled vaguely from that night on the beach.

“It is indeed.” Eliza paused, seeming to want to say more, but then deciding against it.

“How did you meet Sorin then? How did you become the general of his armies?”

“A soldier on patrol found me the day I was dumped over the border and brought me to the palace. I worked as a kitchen assistant for years, but I would sneak out whenever I could and watch the soldiers train. I studied everything they did. Not just weaponry but war strategies and battle formations. As my power grew, I was taken up to train with the other neophytes. Sorin caught me in the training ring one night with a sword I had swiped from discarded weapons that had been deemed no longer usable.He told me if I wanted to swing a sword, I needed an opponent who would swing back. He sparred with me that night. The next morning, I was summoned to the training pits beneath the palace. I clawed my way through every training ring to the top, and Sorin had been watching, keeping tabs on me apparently. He eventually asked me to be the General of his armies.

“This Mark is my Mark of Loyalty to him and the Fire Court,” she said, pulling back the collar of her tunic and pointing to the Mark on the left side of her chest near her shoulder. It was a flame with a sword through it. It was in nearly the same spot as the one on Sorin’s chest and looked identical. “Cyrus and Rayner bear one as well.”

“Most of the other Marks enhance my abilities, and allow me to do things like summon weapons from my flames, among other things.”

Scarlett tried not to stare at the female before her. She had faced her own battles. Alone. She had clawed her way through piles of shit to get to her position. Alone. She had even watched her mother murdered in front of her. Sorin had been right. They were kindred spirits.

“Eliza,” she ventured slowly. Eliza merely cocked her head to the side slightly, and Scarlett tried not to squirm as those ash grey eyes seemed to see right through her. “Sorin told me that if I wanted to continue my own physical training, I should ask you to train me. Would you be willing?”

“Training with me is grueling and hard,” Eliza replied, warning in her tone. “My strongest warriors curse me on a daily basis.”

“I imagine it’s similar to training with Sorin when he’s being a cranky prick,” Scarlett scowled. Memories of running for miles and getting knocked on her ass flashed through her mind.

Eliza laughed. “At least you’ll know what to expect.”

“Thank you,” Scarlett said. “For sharing with me.”

“Thank you for coming,” Eliza replied. “The others will not say it to you, but I hope you decide to stay.”

Scarlett felt her cheeks heat at the compliment. “I don’t remember much after Callan carried me here from the Courtyard,” she said, “but I remember being woken and told Sorin was in danger. Did that happen, or was it a dream?”

“It happened,” Eliza said gravely.

“He is all right?” Scarlett asked, her heart skipping a beat.

“He is fine, Scarlett. He told me to summon him when you woke, which I can do when you are ready.”

“No,” Scarlett replied hastily. “He has responsibilities here. I do not need to monopolize all of his time.”

“I think he’d prefer if you did.”

“When you are a prince you do not always get that choice,” Scarlett answered. “He has been gone for three years. He needs to tend to his people.”

“Then let’s have some tea,” Eliza replied with a small smile.

The two were still sitting together on the chaise, sipping tea, their shoes off, feet tucked underneath them, when Sorin entered the room a couple of hours later. He stopped short, looked them up and down, and brought his fingers to his brow with a groan. “How long has she been awake, Eliza?”

“She’s sitting right here. Ask her yourself,” Eliza replied casually, as though she were speaking to a sibling and not a powerful prince.

Scarlett merely smiled sweetly up at him over her teacup as his eyes went to her with an unamused glare. “How is your arm?”