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But perhaps I’m wrong. I’m not myself right now.

I am the radiance of a star, burning away. And as the energy fades, I glide back toward the tower. The power is gone before I find my footing, and I collapse, not quite on solid ground. I reach to grab the edge.

Someone grabs me first.

Strong arms pull me close.

“I’m here,” he says, his warmth seeping into my body. “I’m here.”

And I drift away.

And dream of nothing.

Chapter 18: The Fire

Through love,burning fire becomes pleasant light. ~ Rumi

My consciousness comesand goes in waves. I'm aware only of strong arms carrying me through the streets of the Otherworld, of Liam's voice alternating between chastising me for my foolishness, cursing himself for leaving me, and offering words of comfort. All of this comes in fragments, until it’s as if I’m with a different man altogether each time I awake.

Liam is a man at war with himself.

There is no winner in a war against yourself.

The storm around us grows in fury and hail the size of snowballs falls from the sky, the temperature dropping dangerously fast.

I shiver, my body convulsing without guidance from me in its attempt to warm itself.

Liam curses and a warmth spreads through me, blazing through his skin and into mine, fighting the chill that's settling into my frigid body.

When darkness overtakes me once more, I see Jerry's face, his anger and hatred, his desire to see me suffer even at his own demise.

And when I open my eyes again, I see the golden eyes of Liam studying me thoughtfully, his expression unreadable.

This time I feel more-clear headed, better in control of myself. Like I can actually keep my eyes open for longer than a few seconds, despite the pounding in my skull.

"Where are we?" I ask, trying to sit up and failing miserably.

"Move slowly," he says. "You've been through a lot."

He offers the support of his arm to prop me up, and I see we are in his bedchamber. A fire warms the space, dancing in shadows off the walls.

A familiar purr brings a smile to my face as Moon nudges against my leg and then curls up next to my lap. I pet the fur ball. “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I tell my cat.

Liam snorts. “The beast wouldn’t shut up. Howled outside my door for hours on end until I finally let him in. He can’t stand me, but he wouldn’t leave your side.”

I give Moon extra love for that level of loyalty and devotion.

"What happened?" I ask, my mouth dry and thick.

Liam hands me a goblet of water and I sip it gratefully. He’s sitting on the bed next to me, his arm still supporting me, our bodies pressed closely together, the heat between us tugging at my gut, sending a tingle up my spine.

Our fingers brush against each other on the bed, and his pinkie covers mine. We both studiously avoid looking at our fingers, but my every nerve is focused on how his finger feels brushing against mine.

"What happened?" he asks.

I search my memories, but it's all a bit fuzzy. "Jerry. He…he tried to kill me."

Liam's jaw clenches, and he nods. "He must have followed us from the courthouse."