Avery felt hot and itchy all over as she realized how she’d blamed Savine and ran into an angry mob without thinking things through. “I’m so sorry. I was an idiot for hitting you with my magic and bolting like that. And I know you weren’t trying to get rid of Morgan. I just feel so bad that Rylo took her and Susan like that. I shouldn’t have left them behind when I ran to you.”
“You can’t blame yourself for what happened, and don’t blame yourself for Morgan choosing to leave with Rylo either.”
“She chose to?”
“From what Raikin has extracted from certain individuals involved, yes. She attacked a Latian shifter, then killed several other Latians before fleeing with the Sun King.”
A tight knot twisted in her stomach. It couldn’t be true that Morgan would attack so indiscriminately. But she didn’t have time to think about what happened to Morgan before Hyacinth entered the room.
“I’ve prayed all night that you would pull through, and look at you! I couldn’t have hoped for better results,” Hyacinth said as she leaned in for a hug, the branches in her hair snagging on Avery’s own unkempt waves.
“Savine, I hope the bath is prepared. Let’s get the cloth off the girl and give Avery a good scrub.”
Avery looked at Savine, suddenly feeling slightly self conscious. He’d stayed by her side while she was sick, but now that she was feeling better, she wanted to retain some privacy as she had these festering plants scoured off her body.
“Savine, you haven’t left this room in days. Why don’t you go check in on your nation? I think Hyacinth and I can handle the bath.”
Savine scowled as he moved protectively closer to Avery. “No. I should stay by your side.”
Avery gave him a soft smile. She might never get used to having a protective, bordering on possessive man around her at all times. She never would have tolerated this kind of behavior from any human man she’d dated. While part of her loved the primal need he had to protect her, she also wanted to maintain her own autonomy in Latiah. If they were going to make this work, she’d need to still feel like she had a voice in her own choices.
“It’s okay, old man. I’m just getting cleaned up. Come back later when I’m looking more human again,” she said, trying to keep her tone light.
Savine sighed, looking like he wanted to refuse her gentle orders. “Very well. I’ll leave you two alone.”
He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on her forehead before he walked out of the room.
Avery felt a sense of relief that Savine wasn’t in the room when she glanced at her naked body in the mirror. Covered in pungent plants, she looked part swamp creature, part human.
“There were showers in Bayberry. Surely they’ve got them here too?” Avery asked Hyacinth as she looked at the clear water in the tub. “This is just going to make a huge mess.”
“You’re to steep in the tub until I say so, child. I’ll be using my essence on you to extract the last of the illness clinging to you.”
Avery didn’t argue as she slipped into the water, instantly turning the fresh water a deep tannin brown. Hyacinth submerged her hands into the water, slightly brushing against Avery’s arms as she began chanting. The water and Avery’s skin began to glow, but Avery just tried to lean back against the tub, relaxing as much as possible as Hyacinth worked.
As Hyacinth worked, Avery thought of Kyla’s goal to find out what the Divine Five were. Maybe Hyacinth knew what that meant.
“Hyacinth, have you ever heard of the Divine Five?” Avery asked as Hyacinth’s essence slipped across her skin.
Hyacinth paused, her nut brown skin losing some of its luster. “That’s something I haven’t thought of in a long time—but yes I have. Why do you ask?”
Avery shared the instructions Althea had given Kyla, and Hyacinth’s face tightened as she talked. Finally, Hyacinth took her hands from the water.
Avery could feel the clarity in her lungs as the last congestion disappeared. Her aching bruises were gone too, and before long Avery felt like herself again. Starving, but healthy.
“Do you remember when I told you that you must never use yourself as a vessel for deep magic again? It’s volatile, dangerous, and you could easily become overwhelmed by its power.”
Avery nodded and stretched, feeling vitality return to her body. “Yeah, and I haven’t tried it since. Why?”
“The Divine Five are five objects imbued with deep magic at the time of The Cleaving. The witches who separated the realms used them, but they were all that remained of them after The Cleaving. From what I understand, fae nations took them for themselves, but what has become of them from there is only legend.”
A fucking quest.
Unbelievable. They now needed to recover some lost relics for this deity.
“Thanks for sharing. Kyla will be happy to know what they are finally.”
The worry lines on Hyacinth’s face faded as she assessed Avery. “Of course, dear! And I must say, that went better than I’d hoped!” Hyacinth said as she dried her hands with a towel. “You may not have remembered it, but Savine sent for the only Bayberry healer in Orofine. She had no such luck healing you, but your body responded quickly to my essence.”
