“Sure,” I agree, and he sweeps into the room like he’s floating, the door clicking shut softly behind him before he takes a seat beside me on the bed.
His black curls are damp, falling over his forehead as his dark eyes settle on mine. He’s wearing black pants and a matching tee, his biceps accentuated by the material as he curls his fingers around the edge of the mattress.
“It shouldn’t hurt,” he states, and I shrug, instantly wincing at the discomfort it causes.
“You’ve healed me before,” I mutter, feeling as if I’m reassuring him instead of the other way around.
“It’s about all I seem to do when it comes to you,” he states, his words soft, and I huff.
“Well, you drive me insane, too,” I add, mentally flicking through the catalog of times he’s gotten under my skin and pissed me off.
The corner of his mouth twitches, but he doesn’t respond to my jibe as he lifts his hand to my head, heat slowly radiating from his proximity as my body leans into him, seeking his warmth. His hands slowly track down my body, spreading his glow through my limbs.
“Do you remember?” he asks when his hands reach my ankles, and I grimace. Not at the pain that still lingers, but with the understanding of his question.
“A little,” I admit, and he nods, his hands slowly returning to my face as his dark eyes bore into mine.
“Do you want me to erase it all?” he asks, and my eyes widen in surprise.
“You can do that?”
He shrugs, offering no further information, yet not denying it either. There are clearly layers to this man that I can’t even begin to comprehend. Now isn’t the time for that, though. Right now, I need to give him an answer.
Clearing my throat, I smile, relieved when my jaw doesn’t ache from the movement. “No.”
“No?” he repeats, eyebrows gathering in confusion as his hands remain on either side of my face.
“No, thanks,” I reiterate, and he shakes his head.
“I wasn’t looking for your manners, more like an understanding as to why not,” he explains, and I offer a tight smile.
“Because my pain is my driving force. I’m here because I know how to survive, and that means remembering every piece of it.”
Something passes in his eyes before he nods, and his touch at my face radiates with warmth that intensifies, bleeding through me as he leans forward and presses a kiss to the spot on my other cheek.
All too quickly, he’s gone again, standing beside the bed with his hands stuffed in his pockets as he clears his throat three times.
“Thank you,” I muster, taking inventory of my body and realizing every ache and pain is gone.
He nods before turning for the door at the exact same time it opens to reveal Kael leaning against the door frame. His eyes are searching, raking over me from head to toe to assess my current state, so I stick my middle finger up at him, making him roll his eyes. At least it does the job of confirming I’m okay.
“I told them you needed rest. They won’t listen.” Kael’s jaw grinds with irritation as Thorne exits the room without a backward glance a moment before Ocean charges in, shoulder barging Kael as she passes him with Rion hot on her heels.
“I’m so sorry I left,” she blurts, hurrying to take a seat on the bed beside me, right where Thorne had been a few moments earlier, and I shake my head.
“It’s not your fault,” I insist as Rion comes to a stop beside her, rocking back on his heels as he smiles at me.
“Petal.”
“Rion.”
He leans forward, planting a kiss on my forehead. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he breathes, and I try to muster a smile, but it falls flat.
“I wouldn’t say I’m okay, but I’m here.”
He grimaces, but it’s the truth. There arewounds that haven’t been healed by the shadow fae, despite his efforts.
“What now?” he asks, tilting his head at me, and I frown.
