“Where are we?” I blink tearfully over the barrier of his muscled arm, trying to identify our location. We’re in the mortal realm, of course—butwhere?
“These are my quarters,” he says.
“Wait—Nocturis sent us to your place?” I frown. “Why? How could he know—”
“How could he know where to transport you?” croons a male voice. “How could he know where you would be safe?”
We both whip around as Nocturis stalks from the shadows of a corner, inspecting his dark green claws.
Ravager snarls with fury, pulling me close and covering as much of my nude body as he can. “You’re the bastard responsible for all this.”
“You mean the bastard who got you off the island before you were blown up? Yes. That would be me.” Nocturis gives him an icy smile. “The Stewards will believe you died in the inferno. You won’t have to worry about them coming after you for revenge. It all turned out very neat and tidy, I must say.”
“This was a very messy and unnecessarily convoluted way to blow up a fortress,” I snap.
“We discussed the reasoning behind it, little thief. If your human mind is too primitive to comprehend the intricacies of Fae politics and the delicate affairs of the god-stars, is that really my fault? Honestly, you should thank me for placing the final touches on this little love story of yours.”
“Thankyou?” I exclaim. “After you silenced me?”
“Keeping you quiet about our conversation was a test for the rogue, to see if he was sincere in his affections and worthy of you,” Nocturis replies.
“What about your cruelty in condemning him to death?”
“Little thief, I left you the loophole on purpose. I wanted to see if you would live up to my expectations, and I was rewarded. Your moment of glory, carrying him to safety on your back—it was a sight worth seeing.”
I glare at him. “You’re a piece of shit.”
Nocturis shrugs. “I’ve been told that before, by far more powerful beings.”
“I thought you and the god-star never intended us to fall for each other. Why would you have any stake in our happiness?”
“It was indeed an unforeseen occurrence,” Nocturis admits. “But I happen to find a certain delight in such things, and when I saw it unfolding, I couldn’t help myself. I designed those little tests to make things interesting, and you both proved your devotion.”
Ravager disentangles himself gently from me and rises to his full height, which is nowhere close to the Faerie’s. Still, he stands his ground. “Thank you for our lives. But I think it’s time you step out of them for good.”
“Manners? From you, Ravager?” Nocturis smirks. “Perhaps youhavelearned something through this little experiment. I wish you joy with the pretty thief. There’s something ineffably charming about her courage and spirit. I’ll admit I considered keeping her for myself, and that’s a temptation I haven’t felt in years.” He touches his chest, a thoughtful expression shadowing his features. “I’ve made several successful matches lately, and I think perhaps I’ve been altered because of it.”
“How fantastic for you.” Ravager’s smile is brilliant, his eyes violent. I have no doubt he would attack the Faerie outright if Nocturis made a move toward me, and I love him for it, even though it would probably get him killed. “Why don’t you take your eyes off Devilry and go find yourself another charming human to terrorize?”
Nocturis tears his gaze away from me and focuses on Ravager, frowning slightly. “Perhaps I will. Fuck it all… perhaps I will.”
And then he’s gone, without so much as a breath of wind to accompany his passing.
“What an obnoxious tool,” Ravager says flatly.
Maybe it’s the relief of being back in the mortal realm, of being safe, of surviving yet another encounter with a powerful immortal being—but I start to laugh, helplessly, joyfully, tearfully.
Ravager joins me on the floor, hugging me close. He laughs, too, and when my laughter melts into tears, he holds me until I’m finally quiet again.
“Could you do something for me, sweetheart?” he asks. “Could you write a note to Witch? As the best healer for the Consortium, she won’t look twice at a newcomer like me, but if she sees a message from you, I have a feeling she’ll come here immediately to fix you up.”
He passes me the writing supplies, and I craft a quick note, along with a fervent request for Witch not to tell anyone I’m back. I desperately want to check on Candle, but I can’t do that until I’m healed, and I won’t send Ravager to the Hearth alone, just in case the Javelins are in a vengeful mood, which they’re likely to be.
I lie on Ravager’s bed while he fetches the healer. At first I think my mind is too busy to find real rest, but the next thing I know, I’m waking out of a dead sleep.
The windowed doors leading to the balcony have been closed, and the air holds a chill, but there’s a warm orange glow in the small fireplace at the end of the room. I prop myself up on both elbows and see Ravager crouched by the hearth, tending the fire with a poker. He’s wearing a fresh pair of pants. The skin of his back gleams damply, and his wet hair curls around his ears.
Blinking, I lift the sheets covering my body and take inventory of everything—an easy enough task, since I’m still naked. There’s not a bruise, a wound, or a twinge of pain left anywhere. I’ve been healed thoroughly, from head to toe, and I feel amazing. Warm and whole and refreshed.
