I buried my head in the mattress, hiding my tears. “Please come back to me, Baylis. I need you. I can’t do this alone.”
The amulet burned hot in my hand, pulling it away, the jewel clunked onto the floor. “What the?”
Soft fingers touched my hair.
“Aelia?”
Baylis stared at me, her gray eyes full of life.
“Baylis?” I asked, unable to believe my eyes.
“Where am I?” She looked around the stark room.
A wave of relief washed over me. “You’re in the Alder Palace.”
Her eyes blinked rapidly. “Where?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain it later. For now, let’s get you something to eat. You must be starving.” Tears streamed down my face. For the first time in a long time, my body felt light.
“I was having the most terrifying dream,” she said, taking my hand in hers.
“It’s alright, I’m here now,” I said, sliding into bed next to her.
She laid her head on my chest like she did when we were young.
Two satyrs brought in silver trays filled with food. The aromatic scent of stew wafted through the air. Caiden, Roderick, and Lucius lingered in the doorway.
“Caiden!” Baylis’s face lit up at the sight of the Lord of Lightning.
“Baylis! I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” Caiden said, embracing my sister.
A piece of my heart cracked.
Seeing my pain, Lucius returned a knowing glance.
“Please, all of you, join us.” Baylis sat up, making room for the three large men on the bed.
“Leave room for me,” Amolie said, climbing into the bed. “Eat, everyone, before it gets cold.”
We did as we were told. Looking around at my friends, laughing and drinking, I could not believe my luck. A couple of months ago, I was a lone mercenary at the edge of the world, running from my past, slowly killing my future. Somehow, I still felt incomplete.
“There’s something I need to do,” I said, jumping off the bed, sending some of the rolls flying into the air.
“Where are you going?” Baylis shouted after me.
“I’ll be back shortly. There’s something I need to do.”
My heart beat wildly in my chest as I climbed the stairs to Tharan’s study. Each step brought me closer to something I had been afraid to admit. Tharan helped me. He saw me for the person I was without the titles forced upon me.
Heaving open the heavy doors to the study, I found Tharan sitting cross-legged on the floor with his two pups. Their tails thumped on the floor wildly at the sight of me.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” Tharan said, getting to his feet. “I wasn’t cuddling them.”
“Yes, you were, but that’s not why I’m here.” I rested my hands on my hips.
He cocked his head in concern. “Is something wrong with Baylis?”
“No, she’s fine. Well… she seems to be.” I moved closer to him. The scent of the forest radiated from his glowing skin. “I need to tell you something.”