“I was trapped.” He studied the layers of his prison, memories flooding back to him.
“Your soul bounced from dimension to dimension over the three hundred years you were gone. You have a symbol for every bounce. Avery only has one because we pulled her back from that place.”
He looked down at himself, at the symbols covering his torso. “I didn’t bounce. I worked for every transcendence.” Marius paced around the chamber. “When you’re there, you’re hungry. Not like a natural hunger, a soul-grating hunger that drives you. Not every place is as beautiful as the one you just showed me.” He rubbed his temples. His head pounded, his mind filling with flashes, images.
“Maybe that’s enough for today. You look like you’re going to be sick.” Raven strode to his side and placed a hand on his back. “I’m going to keep studying this, Marius, but I think we’re close to solving the problem of your nightmares. If this theory is true, then perhaps your nightmares are just lingering memories from the thirteen dimensions. They should abate the longer you’re among the living. Maybe they’ll even eventually fade as you heal inside and out.”
It made sense, and the more that Marius thought about it, the more a sense of peace settled over his heart. With one arm, he pulled her into an embrace. “Thank you, Raven. By the goddess, thank you.”
Chapter Sixteen
By the time Harlow reached the practice arena the following day, she was mentally and physically exhausted. Not only had she had to forgo the apartment she desperately wanted the night before, she’d spent the entire morning applying for positions around Hobble Glen. With any luck, she’d be employed before sunset. Goddess, she needed a bit of luck.
She tossed her bag onto a bench, suddenly aware Adradys’s ring lingered inside. She’d put off giving him her answer for far too long. As soon as practice was finished, she must return it and tell him the truth.
“How did the apartment work out?” Marius’s grin held all the expectation it had two days ago. He was probably still thinking about fitting into that tiny bed with her. The sheer wanting almost made her cry. She’d loved that fantasy.
She rubbed her forehead and forced a smile. “Didn’t work out. I’m going to stay with my parents a little longer.”
He frowned. “But you were so excited about it. Did something happen?”
She slanted her head to the right. “Unforeseen expenses. I need more time to save. I’m working to find a second job.”
“You don’t make enough here?” He looked genuinely concerned.
“Not enough to pay off my parents’ debts and move in to my own place,” she said softly. It was too much. Unprofessional. It was one thing to get personal outside the ring. Another entirely when they were here to work.
“I can lend you money if you need it.”
She shook her head once. “No. That’s kind of you, but I’ll handle it.”
Thankfully, Brantley showed up then and interrupted any additional attempt Marius might have made to find out more about her situation. She clapped her hands together. “Okay, time to get serious. Take your places.”
She stepped up on the platform and raised the flag. “Ready? Fight!” The flag dropped and Marius and Brantley collided, but unlike before, Harlow studied every nuance of the match. “Marius, pay attention to the placement of your wings.” She stopped the match, jumped down, and adjusted them for him.
She was pretty sure he shivered when she touched the webbing. Her gaze met his and she smiled. “Try now.”
Again, she watched carefully. After a week of letting him be Brantley’s punching bag, she needed to make up for lost time. “Stop!” she yelled when it was clear Brant was one move away from slamming him to the stones. “Marius, you aren’t low enough. He’s going to knock you on your ass because your center of gravity is all wrong. Bend your knees.”
To his credit, Marius took her advice without question. By the end of their practice, he was holding his own. “Good work. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Brant gave her a wave and headed for the locker room.
Marius hung back. “Walk you home again today?”
She lifted her bag onto her shoulder, feeling the weight of the ring inside. “I’m sorry. Not today. There’s something I have to do. Another time?”
He nodded but looked deeply disappointed. She didn’t blame him. She felt the same way. A cloud passed behind his eyes. She knew that feeling too. Self-doubt. Self-loathing.
She grabbed his forearm before he could even think about leaving. “I enjoy spending time with you. I just have something… personal… I have to take care of. It’s important and it can’t wait.”
His gaze traced up her arm and settled on her mouth, his lids heavy. “Another time, then.”
She let him go and headed for the exit.
Twilight had fallen over Paragon by the time she arrived at Adradys’s house in the Firedrake district. She straightened her best gown before knocking on the oversized and gaudily ornate door. A butler in the most pretentious uniform Harlow had ever seen answered. It was dark purple and trimmed with gold thread and buttons. Gold was exceptionally expensive these days. The uniform must be worth a fortune.
The man ushered her into a parlor that could have swallowed her entire house. “Tea?”
