“I guess we’ll find out. The only way to know for sure is if I get another vision.” I shuddered at the thought.
“Caius seemed certain the wisp was gone,” Nevander challenged.
I shrugged, still not exactly sure what happened.
“Either way, we need to get you cleaned up and let Thaddeus know you’re back,” Tarrin said and started walking back toward the summer palace.
I followed them in silence to my guest suite, pausing at the threshold as they walked through.
“Nyleeria?” Nevander asked as he turned back to face me, voice laced with concern.
I willed my feet to move, but my body simply refused to go any farther.
“I…I can’t,” I whispered.
“It’s okay, Nyleeria,” Nevander coaxed, motioning for me to come into the suite.
I shook my head and took a small step back.
The two exchanged a questioning glance before Tarrin met my eyes. Seeming to recognize something in them, he said, “Okay, Ny. You don’t have to come in.”
Looking at Nevander, he said, “Let’s take her to our villa. She can stay in Thaddeus’ quarters for now.”
Nevander looked behind him, as if assessing the perfectly good suite, unable to see the horrors that kept me from reentering.
“Please,” I said.
Brows furrowed, he looked me up and down before giving Tarrin a half-nod, then walked past me, leading the way.
With them calling it a villa, I’d expected to leave the summer palace and walk the grounds; instead, we weaved our way through countless hallways before making it to a set of heavy wooden doors. The soft white wood was beautifully carved with a mural that poetically captured summer’s essence. I stepped through them, notprepared for the vastness I encountered on the other side. My accommodation at the king’s palace, and the guest suite here, paled in comparison. It was more like a small manor, and at least ten times the size of the cabin.
I took in the space with mute interest, but suddenly felt too exhausted to even admire the exquisite bouquets of flowers or catalog anything beyond the basic details. Adrenaline had sustained me until then, and a deep weariness was threatening to take over at any second.
I followed Tarrin into the open living space, focusing on his back to keep me moving. Within a few steps, he faced me, soft concern in his eyes.
I looked up at him, not sure what expression was on my face, and said, “Sleep.”
Kind understanding filled his eyes, and without question, he turned to my left and led me into a massive chamber off the main area. I threw him a grateful smile, and he closed the door behind me.
As I went to drop into bed, I caught sight of myself in a full-length mirror in the lavatory to my right. Tarrin had been kind to say I looked like hell—I looked like a child’s rag doll that’d been dragged everywhere for the past year, or longer.
I was filthy. Splattered in dried, black oil. More hair had escaped my braid than remained in it. The skin that did show was covered in what I hoped was dirt. And there was even grass in my hair and green stains on my clothing—which was stretched beyond recognition, now more tatters than anything.
I sighed, forcing myself to open the wardrobe. As I did so, Thaddeus’ familiar, rich scent wafted out, and I breathed a tiny bit of life back into me.
His clothing was hung and pressed neatly. I shucked off my dirty rags and slipped into one of his shirts. I closed my eyes, holding the necklace in my hand, and soaked in his scent, feeling the soft fabric against my skin.
Stepping from the pile of clothes at my feet, I padded to the bed, pulled the covers back, and collapsed into it.
I awoke to soft caresses on my tangled hair and saw Thaddeus kneeling at the side of the bed. A piece of me cracked at seeing him before me, his gaze harboring countless emotions.
“Hi,” I said in barely a whisper.
“Hi,” he whispered back to me, his smile almost imperceptible.
He placed his forehead against mine, then kissed me deeply, as if reassuring himself I was there.
I pulled the covers away and sat up, dangling my legs off the side of the bed. He moved forward, his torso filling the space between my thighs, then knelt before me. Leaning into me, he rested his head on my chest. I curled into him, lacing my fingers through his soft curls. His arms wrapped around me, hands splayed, and held me tight.
