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“A little,” Rayner deadpanned.

Scarlett winked at him.

“You saw other worlds?” Sorin asked while they waited for Cethin, trying not to worry about Eliza. Why hadn’t she wanted them to know she was back?

Scarlett nodded, worrying her bottom lip. “It is an odd thing. I just…know where they all are now. If I wanted to go to one, I could. I caught glimpses of them. It was as if the Chaos couldn’t decide where to go.”

“Are you going to be able to alter the mirror gates?” Rayner asked.

“We will go see Eliza,” Scarlett answered, the shadows in her eyes swirling a little faster. “Then we move forward with our plans.”

Chapter37

Eliza

She was waiting for them all outside the cave. Razik was still sleeping. He hadn’t woken up yet.

Then again, that wasn’t entirely true. Kailia had informed her he had been awake once while Eliza had been sleeping. She’d woken plenty of times, but apparently not when he did. Kailia had told her that Razik had insisted they let her sleep. In fact, he’d gone so far as to threaten them if any of them attempted to wake her.

Males and their godsdamn overprotectiveness.

She had been awake more and more these past two days. The Avonleyan King and Queen had filled her in on everything that had been happening, and she hadn’t needed Sorin worrying about her while Scarlett still slept too. They had agreed that when Scarlett was awake and fine, they would tell the others that she and Razik were here. Kailia had sent a message that she had done just that. They would be arriving at any moment.

So she’d quickly dressed in loose pants, a sleeveless undershirt, and a tunic, slid on some silk shoes the queen had brought her, and climbed the steps to the cave entrance.

She tsked under her breath.

Cave.

Sure, it was inside a mountain, but this was nothing like the cave she’d spent time recovering in. The entrance to Razik’s cave was hidden among rocky cliffs and ledges. How he’d even found it, she had no idea. He had wards all around it, and there were steps that led down into the belly of the mountain. The large main room was only the beginning. The steam she’d glimpsed towards the back was a large hot spring. There were a few other passageways leading off the main room as well, but she hadn’t wandered down them, not wanting to pry into his personal space.

Eliza wasn’t sure how he was going to react to her taking the twin flame Mark. Yes, he’d made it obvious he wanted the bond, but to make the decision without talking to him felt…wrong. She didn’t like people making decisions for her, and she didn’t particularly like making them for others.

Niara had been pleased her wound was healing faster than last time. Likely because she actually stayed in bed curled up next to Razik and gave her body the time it needed. It would be another day or two before Niara cleared her, but she could move her shoulder without issue.

Her hands were curled in her sleeves as she paced back and forth on the ledge, her unbound hair fluttering in the mountain air. She had slept more than enough to fill her reserves, and her fire kept her plenty warm; yet she still felt slightly chilled. She scowled. Damn dragon fire.

“Eliza.”

Her name had her spinning to find Sorin, Rayner, and Scarlett standing there, the Fire Prince’s eyes sweeping over her. He was the one who had said her name, but Eliza’s eyes were fixed on Scarlett.

She was different.

Eliza couldn’t place it, but she could feel it.

“What happened to you?” she demanded, sweeping her gaze over her queen the same way Sorin was eyeing her.

“What happened to me?” Scarlett retorted, stepping forward. “What happened toyou? Kailia said you’ve been up here for days.” Her eyes darted to the cave entrance. “Is there a reason you are staying in a cave instead of the castle? Or estate? Or anywhere else, really?”

“The cave is deceiving,” she muttered defensively.

“Where is Razik?” Rayner asked. His ashes were roaming around him, seeking out whatever they could learn for him.

“Sleeping,” she replied with a dismissive gesture behind her.

“In a cave,” Scarlett deadpanned.

“It’s not—” She huffed out a sigh as she pulled a hand from her sleeve and rubbed at her brow.