And yet, I continued to lie limply in Xae's arms. I let him carry me up to our suite, through the sitting room where Nex stopped to wait, and then through the bedroom. He came to a stop in the bathroom, before the giant bathtub. Rath hurried to the taps, kneeling on the steps that led to the tub's platform, then turning the golden knobs. Water rushed forth, and I sighed as I watched it. The sound was comforting. Like an audible hug.
“Let's get you undressed,” Xae said as he sat me on the bench across from the tub.
Xae removed my belt and shoes, then I lifted my arms for him to pull off my sweat-soaked, dirt-stained tunic. That's right, I'd been training before I went to Fress. I really did need a bath. I stood up and got out of my pants and underwear on my own, then climbed the steps to the tub. Xae followed me with hands outstretched.
“I'm fine, Xae,” I murmured as I sank into the water. “Oh, this feels good.”
Rath soaped up a cloth and started washing me.
“Thank you,” I whispered and closed my eyes. “Thank you both for taking care of me.”
“You're welcome, sweetheart,” Rath said. Then, “Xae, why don't you let Nex know that we're all right, and he can go down to the meeting?”
Xaedren grunted and his footsteps announced his departure.
Rath started humming. It was soft and sweet, and yet it summoned tears to my eyes.
“Fuck,” I hissed and swiped at my eyes. “I don't know why this has affected me so badly.”
“It's horrible, that's why,” Rath said, running the cloth over my chest. “No one thinks less of you for reacting as you did.”
“I do.” I shook my head and growled, “Fuck! I'm supposed to be a Wraith Lord.”
“You are a Wraith Lord.”
“A Wraith Lord wouldn't have to be carried back to the citadel because he found a few empty graves.”
“You found your village graveyard almost completely empty, including the graves of your parents.” Rath dropped the cloth and took my hand. “You've been through a lot since I found you. And that wasn't so long ago, Ember. It has simply caught up with you tonight.”
“I need to train harder. I'm supposed to be a warrior.”
“No, you're not.” His hand left mine and went to my face. “Look at me.”
I shifted my stare to his.
But it wasn't Rath who spoke next.
Xae, who had returned but was standing by the door, came forward and said, “You're the strongest person I know, Ember.”
I snorted. “Sure.”
“You are,” Rath said. “You have faced the Corrupter, died at his hands, and came back to us with a smile on your face. You astound me.”
Xae sat down on a step beside Rath. “It's you who makes us stronger, not the other way around. Remember that. And you don't have to lift a sword to do it. You are far more than a mere warrior.”
“That's just magic,” I mumbled.
“Magic is power,” Rath said. Then, with a teasing look at Xae, he added, “Otherwise, a Ladrin might be Emperor.”
Xae glared at Rath. “Magic or not, I can still kick your ass.”
Rath snorted. “Hardly.”
Xae growled.
“Seriously?!” I smacked the water. “This is me-time! Can the alpha crap!”
Rath's lips twitched as he shared a look with Xae.
