I nibbled on my lip and plated my hair into three strands, then began braiding it. In the bathroom mirror, I studied the slight smudges under my eyes again, the only remaining evidence of my venture to the Veiled Between this morning. But my green irises were bright and alert, and my chestnut hair now looked shiny and clean. The cozy emerald sweater Jax had gotten me weeks ago in Fosterton adorned my top, and simple black breeches covered my legs. For the most part, I felt good and strong. It was nothing like I used to feel when I ventured to the Veiled Between with a fully active collar, so I tried to take some comfort in that.
Behind me, Jax’s reflection suddenly appeared in the mirror. I started at his silent approach, which got a roguish grin from him.
“Scared you?” He raised his eyebrows.
“You wish.”
His lips stayed lifted in a crooked smile, and he leaned against the door frame. Casually, he crossed his arms and watched me.
The movement made his chest muscles press against his shirt. Strong biceps were visible when his elbows bent. Dark midnight hair swept across his forehead, and eyes so blazing that they always reminded me of sparkling sapphires regarded me.
My breath caught, and I quickly finished with my hair. Jax’s beauty and powerful physique still totally and completely took my breath away.
Clearing my throat, I tied a ribbon around the end of my braid. “How’s Bastian?”
Jax frowned. “Still sleeping.”
“What about food and drink? Were you able to get him to eat?” I’d been wondering since we took him if he’d consumed anything recently. Bastian certainly couldn’t feed himself in the state he was in.
“Phillen managed to get a cup of water down his throat. It took a while, but at least we know he’s had that.”
“What about food?”
His lips pressed into a line, the fleeting lightness on his face vanishing. “No, nothing yet. We can’t get him to swallow bites, so I’m not sure how we’ll get him to eat.”
I nodded and faced him, then placed my hands against the cool stone counter behind me. “He doesn’t look too thin, so he must have been eating at times.”
“You’re right. Maybe whoever’s controlling him”—a muscle bulged in his jaw when he clenched his teeth—“commands him to stay nourished.” Oscillating expressions of remorse and anger crested over Jax’s features, and I crossed the distance between us.
His arms were around me before I could finish enclosing him in my embrace. “He’s survived this long, Jax, and we have him now. He’s with us, and we’ll find a way to get that anklet off him. Wewill.”
“Do you have any idea how long that semelee’s magic on him will last? If he becomes agitated again like he did this morning...” He released a frustrated sigh and rested his chin on the top of my head. “I don’t think any of us are strong enough to keep him held down. That anklet’s magic seems to give him superior strength.”
My brow furrowed. I eased back enough to see him better, then trailed a finger across his forehead, gently pushing a strand of hair away from his eye. “I don’t know how long he’ll stay asleep, but I imagine it will be for a while. At least through the day, maybe even a few days. Or perhaps longer.” I shrugged. “Honestly, I’m unsure how much magic the semelee used on him. I’m not in-tune enough with them to sense that.” I brushed a finger along my collar. The gold choker-style necklace hummed slightly, and its gem released a tingle of energy.
“Has your collar been bothering you more?” His gaze settled on my throat.
“Only slightly. My magic is still mostly free.”
“We’ll have to work fast because I don’t want you risking yourself in the Veiled Between again if Bastian becomes animated once more.”
“Do you think whoever’s controlling him tried to get him to return to those caverns in the Wood? And that’s why he suddenly became so active this morning?”
He nodded. “That’s what we’re all guessing too.”
“Then you’re right. We don’t have any time to waste. His controller obviously knows Bastian’s escaped.”
Jax’s nostrils flared. “And he wants him back.”
In the living area,everyone was dressed and ready to go. Quinn still hadn’t returned, and none of us knew when he would, but the dillemsill had found him and reported our plans to the crowfy shifter. So at least Quinn knew we were venturing to the Solis continent.
“Have the Solis royals been notified of our arrival?” Lander asked, his eyes narrowing shrewdly.
Jax nodded curtly. “The dillemsill I sent returned while Elowen was sleeping. Nori knows our plans and approved them. He said he’ll try to meet with us, but he has a few council meetings he has to attend first. If he’s unable to join us, he said he’ll send his brother instead.”
Trivan chuckled. “Ah, Nuwin. I remember him. Cheeky bastard, that one.”
Already wearing a cloak and dressed warmly for the Solis continent, Phillen lumbered to the couch in the living area where Bastian slept. Jax’s brother lay lifeless again, his eyes closed, his chest rising in small, evenly spaced breaths.
