“Nyleeria,” the voice came again, sharper now, commanding.
“Let go of me!” I screamed, struggling harder. His hands only tightened, and he shook me once, hard.
“That’s enough.”
The command cut through the haze, and my vision snapped into focus, finding Caius staring back at me. Power hummed around him, sharp and contained, as if he’d wrestled it back under control just to meet my gaze.
I blinked at him, dazed, my breath ragged as I tried to piece together what was real.
“Breathe,” he ordered—quiet but absolute.
“Caius.” His name on my tongue was like an answered prayer I hadn’t known I’d asked for. My arms darted out, my hands franticallyfeeling the truth of him, needing to confirm he was solid. Real. Here.
The heat radiating through the soft fabric of his stark-white shirt warmed the frozen tips of my fingers. A relieved sob escaped as I slumped forward, my forehead resting against his chest, fingers clinging to him like the lifeline he was.
“It was a dream,” I rasped.
“Yes,” he said, the deep, familiar rumble of his voice running through me.
As if conjured by the sound, Endymion, Artton, and Summer’s third—Sidrick—appeared.
Like the sun chasing the horizon, the instant my eyes found the autumn fae, my body moved around Caius toward him.
Endymion’s gaze swept over me, assessing in an instant as he closed the distance. Emotions flickered across his face faster than I could name them. Like I’d done with Caius, I gripped the corded muscles of his forearms, needing to know this was real. Thathewas real. A deep sense of relief washed through me as my power vibrated the way it always did in his presence.
“Are you hurt?” he demanded, eyes hard.
“I…” I croaked, swallowing as I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
His sharp gaze searched mine, as if weighing the truth in my words. After a moment, his features softened. Without looking away, his voice firm as he said, “Get them back up.”
Caius’ commanders bristled at the order clearly meant for them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw them glance toward their High Lord, who gave a single nod before they vanished to do as bidden.
“Endymion,” Caius said, his tone careful, “why don’t we get her out of here?”
“Get me out of—” My words were cut short as I finally took in the carnage that had once been a bedchamber.
Ash drifted through the air, settling over the remains of furniture—if the rubble could still be called that—like snow dusting the mountains.
Scorch marks marred the walls, the scent of char heavy in my nostrils.
My gaze snapped down. My night shift was untouched—not a single mark marring the fabric. Whirling toward the bed, I found it pristine amid the chaos, as if someone had outlined my sleeping form and cast a protection spell over it.
The theory I’d once shared with Tarrin was holding true;that I couldn’t be harmed by my own power.Had I not known the devastation around me was at my hands, that truth alone would have confirmed it.
I surveyed the damage beyond the layers of ash, my focus snagging on the framed windows that adorned the far wall. The now windowless walls.
Eyes wide, I shifted to Endymion.
He lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “It’s nothing magic can’t fix,” he said, echoing his words from before.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, lowering my gaze to my feet.
“It’s of no consequence,” Caius said, waving away my apology. “What matters is that you weren’t hurt. Come—let’s go to the sitting room.”
Endymion gestured toward the doorway, and I followed Caius through the archway. Thankfully, the only damage it had suffered was a charred door lying across the tile and a faint haze of smoke clinging to the ceiling.
I sank onto the long sofa while Endymion, as before, perched on the table across from me. Caius pulled up a chair, pausing only to pour a glass of water and offer it. I accepted with a small smile and tried for a sip. The instant the liquid bottomed out, I regretted it—the knots in my stomach were too tight.
