To my utter relief, my mate immediately nodded her assent.
“I would be grateful for it,” Elenis said. “Your reputation precedes you. Many of my fellow Inquisitors have sought your services following particularly challenging missions that left them cursed or severely impaired.”
“Yes, I have indeed treated many of your peers. I’m glad to be able to do this for you now. We can do it with you lying here on the couch, unless you would prefer more privacy.”
“Here is fine,” Eleni said.
I hastened to her side when she rose to her feet. For a split second, I thought she would bat my hand away when I reached to pick her up. But then she relaxed and allowed me to carry her to the couch. As much as she zealously protected and asserted her independence and autonomy, my mate was wise enough not to allow misplaced pride to needlessly burden herself.
I watched my sister-in-law perform an extensive healing over my beloved. She mixed potions, incantations, and various spells to achieve her goal. Even where I stood by my brother’s side, I could see visible improvements take place. It had changed in such a subtle fashion that until now, I had not realized how dull Eleni’s skin tone had become. She was glowing, her eyes sharp, and her movements more vigorous and asserted.
Sensing the emotions overwhelming me, Asheron gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. I gave him a sideways glance, my throat constricted.
“Thank you,” I said in almost a whisper.
He winked at me and gave my shoulder another squeeze. Moments later, Ronika completed her task. She then retrieved a handful of magic candles from the bag.
“Burn one of these every night while you sleep,” she told my woman. “They will further fortify you and slow down your soul’s decay.”
“What kind of candles are these?” Eleni asked, curious.
“The type of candles nearly impossible to find except when made by your mate’s friend Amara. She’s my greatest supplier of all the most potent candles,” Ronika said warmly.
“That’s amazing. But why are you doing this for me?” Eleni blurted out, immediately looking embarrassed.
Ronika cocked her head and gave her a slightly confused look. “Because you’re family. The moment you entered Lyall’s life, you became my sister-in-law.”
“And family stands by each other whenever we can, in spite of the Covenant. It may limit the extent of the help we can provide. But whatever workaround can be achieved, it will be.”
To my shock, I caught myself drawing my brother into my embrace and giving him a bone crushing hug. The genuine affection with which he reciprocated moved me to my core. Still, I felt a little embarrassed as I released him. However, he didn’t immediately let go of me. Instead, he kept both his hands on my shoulders before boring his gaze into mine.
“Fix this, Brother. And then we can all have dinner together and exchange stories about how Mother tortured us every step of the way to our happily ever after,” Asheron said teasingly.
I snorted and Ronika chuckled. A truer statement had never been spoken. While I didn’t think for one moment that our mother deliberately set us on the most horrendous and painful paths in order to reach true happiness with our mates, we couldn’t deny that we all went through the ringer.
“Will do. Pharos and Kali will undoubtedly want to join,” I replied.
“Deal!” Asheron said. “May the Gods walk by your side for the remainder of your journey, Sister,” he added for my mate.
“Thank you, for everything,” Eleni said with sincere gratitude.
We escorted them to the main balcony, and they both shifted into their Wraith forms before flying away towards one of the portals back to the Mortal Realm. It was bittersweet to watch them leave.
“Asheron loves you, just like Pharos. You have an amazing family,” Eleni said wistfully.
A dull ache constricted my chest as I thought of my brothers. “So I’m starting to see. It is sad that I should have been so blind to it for so long.”
“You need to stop doubting yourself, Lyall. You are beautiful and worthy of love. Accept it, and stop fighting it,” she said gently.
“I believe those exact words also apply to you, my love,” I retorted tauntingly.
She snorted and made a face of me. “Fine. Then we must both pledge to accept it, and to stop fighting it.”
“Deal,” I replied before kissing her.
Chapter 14
Lyall
