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In the Living Realm, I pressed the ashflower to her heart.

“Shade’s Brand, leave and let Ayla be.”

I didn’t speak alone. Ninti joined me, her raw power adding to my command.

In the Underworld, I stepped between the Brand and Ayla, coming between the ghost and the soul. Spreading my arms, I pushed them apart.

My hand crushed against the Brand’s chest. I pounded it, shoving it. The ghost lurched away, but tendrils of darkness remained, tied to Ayla’s soul and the jar.

I reached for Ayla, finding the core of her soul and pulling it closer to me. I lifted her from the jar. She rose, still caught in the Brand’s web.

Ninti’s power faded as the command ran its course. We made progress, but Ayla was not yet free.

“More ashflower,” Ninti ordered me.

I swam to the surface of the Underworld, returning fully to the living.

The ashflower was half-gone. I should have hesitated, but I didn’t. I couldn’t, not until Ayla was free.“You will have enough,” Teyr had promised. I hoped he was right. I grabbed another dose.

In the Underworld, I had seen improvement. I had sent the Brand away and lifted Ayla from the jar. Here, her skin remained completely gray.

I pressed the ashflower against her chest. “Ayla, come to me,” I commanded her.

I bid her soul to rise, to fight the Brand’s curse. Ninti backed my effort, fueling it with her power. The Firewolf called Ayla to return.

Together, we broke more tendrils linking the Brand to Ayla’s soul. We directed the Brand’s power into the ashflower, allowing it to absorb the darkness.

Ayla blinked. Her eyes glinted green. It was working.

We finished the surge, releasing only when the ashflower was gone, turned to dust.

I lifted my hand to examine the freckle-sized Brand. It looked small again, secure, I hoped.

Then I remembered Ayla’s breasts were exposed. She remained shirtless. She realized it too, her body tightening, a sudden blush coloring her cheeks.

I looked away and pulled two tunics from the closet, tossing one to her and tugging one on myself. In the rush of it all, I had forgotten how bare we were.

Ninti shook, shaking her entire spine, growing smaller at the same time. Dog-sized, she cocked her head, staring at Ayla. “I’m glad you’re okay, but no need to be so modest. I’m a canine.”

I found my pants and pulled them on.

“We all have itches to scratch,” Ninti continued. “But to be honest, I’m not sure you two should trythatagain. Not while Ayla has the Brand.”

Ayla crossed her arms over her covered chest. “Whatdidhappen?”

“The Brand took over,” Ninti replied.

“How?” I asked.

Ninti sat on her haunches. “The Brand has a mind of its own, especially when facing ashflower. It’s become creative in its methods—this time, it delayed, saving energy until you were vulnerable.”

“Do you think… Will it happen again?” Ayla sounded haunted.

“It’s possible,” Ninti admitted. “But now we can prepare ourselves.”

“Is it even safe to sleep?” Ayla rubbed her forehead. She was collapsing again. The intensity of her day, of our conversation. Of our…attraction.

Everything added to the weight of her burden.