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She just smiled back at him, letting her crown of darkness and starfire take shape atop her head. “Be a good lackey and deliver my message to Alaric, Mikale,” she purred. “Tell him our game continues.”

* * *

“Love?”

Scarlett groaned. Fingers slid gently into her hair. Lips brushed softly against her temple. Her eyelids were heavy as she forced them open, and her eyes locked with ones of muted amber. Relief flashed through Sorin’s features, and she reached up, smoothing away the crease between his brows.

“Are you all right?” he murmured.

She nodded, then winced. Her hand went to her throat, fingertips running over raised skin.

“It will scar,” Sorin said quietly, pulling her fingers away. “It wasn’t deep, but the poison in the sword…”

“It’s fine, Sorin,” she whispered. “I’m fine.”

“Truly?” he asked, pressing his brow to hers. “Mikale? Cethin said…”

She pushed up onto her elbows then, searching for him. They were back in her suite at the castle. She was on a sofa in the sitting room, Sorin sitting on the edge beside her. Cassius was hovering over the back of the sofa, his eyes shifted and glowing. She reached up, brushing her fingers along his that were clenched on the back of the fabric.

Cethin was in an armchair. He was pale. Tired icy blue eyes were locked on her, and he smiled weakly. Kailia was perched on the arm of the chair, and standing off to one side was Tybalt. His warm, kind eyes watched her.

“How are you feeling?” the Avonleyan Commander asked.

“Hot,” she answered. Her clothing was sticking to her, and she noted the cloth on the floor.

“Is that normal?” Cassius asked, eyes flicking to his father.

“It is,” Tybalt answered. “You did well, Cassius.”

Sorin helped her sit up more, shifting so she could lean against him. “What happened?”

“You were cut with the sword of one of those beings,” Cethin supplied.

“I remember that. And Kailia showing up. Where were you?”

“They have only ever been interested in me,” Cethin said. “Until tonight.”

“And you do not know what they are?” she asked, taking the glass of water Tybalt handed to her.

“No,” Cethin answered. “Creatures created by Achaz. That is all we know.”

She looked at Tybalt. “You do not know? Or Saylah?”

Tybalt shook his head. “I have been with Saylah since Arius and Serafina hid her and Temural away. We, admittedly, do not know as much about the more recent beings created.”

“Then how did they get here?” Scarlett asked between gulps of water. She was still so damn hot.

“I unknowingly let them in,” Cethin answered.

Scarlett slowly lowered her glass. “How?”

He pressed his lips together. “I will tell you, Scarlett. I swear. But I do need to rest. Walking into your dreams and working against Mikale’s power drained me, and that is a conversation I want to be in a better place to have.”

She didn’t like it, but she nodded. “When I return from the continent then.”

“Are you sure you should still go today, Love?” Sorin asked, picking up the cloth and pressing it to her brow. It was cool against her sweaty skin, and she leaned into it. “Maybe take a day to recover—”

“He is with the Sorceress, Sorin,” Scarlett said quietly, sneaking a peek at Cassius. Her Guardian had stiffened, fingers digging into the sofa again. He exhaled a long breath, smoke spilling from between his lips.