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W hy is Devrix here? Has he been waiting for me? He would be crushed when the driver showed him my body wrapped up in the back.

Devrix! , I tried calling. He couldn’t hear me, of course.

There was so much I wanted to say. So much I would never get to tell him …

how thankful I was for his kindness … how distraught I was to lose him.

I wanted to let him know I wasn’t upset that his plan had failed. Instead, I loved him for trying.

Yes—I love him . Perhaps that was what hit me hardest, that I would never get to utter those words for him to hear.

He and the driver walked around to the back of the carriage. I braced myself to hear his wails.

“Would you mind helping me carry her inside?” Devrix asked—not struck by the sight of my body wrapped tight in a blanket—but composed as ever.

“Of course.” The old man happily obliged, grabbing my feet as Devrix secured my shoulders. The two carried my body up the steps and into the cabin.

My spirit was pulled along.

Inside, the cabin was one rectangular open room, with a sink and wood stove off to the left, a large table in the middle, a bed set up in the back right corner, and two gray cushioned chairs arranged before a large window in the front.

The men shuffled over to the bed in the corner and laid my body down.

Devrix tucked a pillow beneath my head, then paused, softly brushing my cheek before he turned back to the driver.

“Thank you, Hank,” Devrix said, escorting the man to the door.

“Ahh, not a problem, Lord Embers. Happy to help.”

Once the man was gone, Devrix returned to my side. He pulled up a wooden chair and settled in beside me. Smoothing a hand over my messy hair, he leaned in and placed a kiss on my forehead. “You’re safe, my love.”

Floating above, I watched in bewilderment. What is going on?

Devrix opened a drawer from the small side table and pulled out a glass vial with a dark blue liquid inside— some sort of elixir? The cork made a ‘pop’ as he wiggled it off.

Gently lifting my head, he brought the bottle to my lips and poured. “Just a few sips,” he urged. “We’ll start with a little at a time.”

I couldn’t believe what was happening. Will this really work? I watched in awe as Devrix tended to my lifeless body, slowly serving me the mysterious liquid.

Once the vial was half empty, Devrix set it aside and picked up my hand, running his thumb across my skin—although I couldn’t feel it.

“Nova, come back to me,” he whispered.

Within moments, my tether tightened, pulling me toward my body—pulling me into my body.

The world went black.

I felt my heart kick—excited to be revived. My skin tingled and veins pulsed as every inch of my body awakened—an uncomfortable and intense sensation.

My eyes cracked open, blurry shadows slowly came into focus. For several moments, I was confused about what I was looking at … wood beams crossed the ceiling above me—not cold, hard stone. While I remembered the cabin, a large part of me had thought it was a dream.

Wiggling my fingers, I attempted to lift my arm. The movement took much more effort than usual, but I was in my body— alive, and in control! A laugh bubbled up at the realization, the air scratching my throat as I let it out.

Then Devrix appeared. He leaned over me with a look of anticipation.

It wasn’t a dream; I was in his cabin.

“There you are,” he said, voice soft and soothing. His face lit up as our eyes met. A radiant smile spread across his lips and lifted every corner of his handsome face. “My beautiful, brave, Nova. You made it.”

I strained, attempting to talk … but all that came out was a terrible grating sound, which then triggered a long fit of coughing. My throat burned like it was full of ash.

Devrix instantly brought forward a glass of water. “Here, drink this.” He gently lifted my head. “Sorry. I know, the dissolving solution tastes like cinders. It can’t be helped.”

“The what?” I managed to rasp after taking a few sips.

“The dissolving solution. It stops the effects of the paralysis stone Jarrett gave you. You are going to be tired and lethargic for a bit, but it should pass in the course of a few days.”

I still couldn’t believe what was happening. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t find enough energy to sit up. From the corner of my eye, I saw Devrix reach for the vial of blue liquid. He brought it forward. “Do you think you could take one more sip? I want to make sure you get the full dose.”

I did as he asked, finishing the remainder and washing it down with more water. I still felt partially numb and fatigued, but I was also in shock—I was back in my body and alive! Thrilling as it was … I was so very tired. I scarcely had enough energy to stay awake.

Devrix caught the strain in my eyes. “Easy,” he said, cradling my face.

My eyelids drooped, and my body ached as if I had been trampled by a carriage several times over. I had so many questions, but not the energy to ask them. “Where are we?” I managed.

“Outside the Ashloran city of Ohmlora.” He looked down at the soiled gown I was wearing. “I would like to get you out of these clothes. Do you think you have enough energy to sit up?”

I managed a subtle nod, hoping that I could.

“Good. I’ll be right back.” I could hear Devrix move about the open room, pouring water and gathering supplies.

His footsteps returned to my side. “Ok, let’s get you into something clean.

” He wedged an arm beneath my shoulder and helped me into a seated position.

With one broad hand he braced my back, then used the other to work off the filthy smock.

I felt like a child’s doll being helped to lift my arms, but I didn’t care. I knew it would feel better to get rid of the gown I had been wearing since the night I was thrown into the dungeon.

Stripped down to my undergarments, Devrix ran a warm, wet cloth over my arms, shoulders and legs. The action was so tender and caring, it was a shame I was too tired to enjoy it.

Weary, yet overflowing with questions, I asked the next thing that came to mind, “Is this your home?”

“No, it is just a place I visit from time to time.” He slipped a clean gown over my head and helped pull my arms through the holes. I was too tired to ask where he got it from, but it felt amazing to be wearing something fresh and clean.

“There. That’s better for now. Once you get a little more energy back, you can take a long soak in the tub.”

That sounds nice— the thought didn’t reach my lips.

He laid me back down and tucked layers of soft blankets up to my chin.

The bed was so comfortable, softer than anything I felt before, or maybe it was my exhaustion making it seem that way.

I was about ready to doze when my eyes shot open— is this real?

Can I really be so lucky? What if this is a dream my mind created to deal with my passing?

“Am I really here?” I called, fear lacing my voice. “Will you be here when I wake?”

Devrix’s face reappeared. “Of course, my love.” He ran a hand up and down my arm. “Don’t worry, Nova, you are safe.” His touch soothed me. Easing the flood of panic. “I will be here in the morning. You have nothing to worry about. Just sleep.”

I let my eyelids drift closed, and felt Devrix’s soft lips brush my forehead as sleep pulled me in.