"But that would mean…" she exchanges a look with Helios.
I tilt my chin a bit higher. “My name is Aurelia Basilius Sol. I'm Enver Sol's heir.”
"They come with us,” Helios says matter of fact, scooping me into his broad and muscular arms.
"What of the Beast?"The woman crows, pointing at Bastian with the tip of her knife.
Heliosstaresinto mypleading gaze and then back atBastian bleeding out.“We will bring them all with us, Hagar. Let father judge the Beast.”
Forty - Two
Shaye
The screech of a hawk snaps me upward. My eyes flash open, half expecting to be trapped in a cage in Malvolio. But I'm not in Malvolio. At least, I don't think I am. The ceiling is a vibrant blue with gold and red trimming. I push myself up on my elbows to scan the room. The walls are the same blue but there are several arched windows where a dry desert breeze wafts in, causing the white drapes to dance. This isn't Malvolio, but it's not Midori either.
I drag my aching body from underneath the white linen sheets and shuffle to one of the windows. Rocky, brown mountains varying in size and cut surround the city made entirely of mudbricks and terracotta. Most buildings have domes or vaulted roofs and blend in with the natural color of their surroundings. Spying inside windows of nearby houses, there are vibrant colors inside.
Where am I?
A slight ache draws my attention to my head. Throbbing pain forces me to retreat from the bright sunlight. As I make my way back to the bed, I catch sight of myself in a gold framed, full-length mirror. My white hair and grey eyes have returned, but my skin. I press a hand to my neck where a dark burn bubbles and is attempting to heal.
I'm no longer wearing Bastian's shirt. I'm in beige flowy pants with a matching cropped blouse. There's also an overlay I wear like a coat that stretches down to the floor. Someone has changed me. The idea of someone else's eyes and hands roving over my naked body drags me back to Drogon's lair and what he did to me. I'm flooded with shame and embarrassment.
I have to see for myself. With some difficulty from the pain and itchiness of the burns, I slip the top over my head and drop my pants to the floor. I stare wide-eyed at my body, stifling the tears welling.
Every inch of my skin is red, some spots more severe than others. As if just looking at them floods me with more pain, I'm suddenly feeling every single burn. Tiny pricks like ant bites erupt across my flesh and I want to shed this layer of skin like a snake.
With my magic back, I can begin to heal myself. But when I healed Thrane's injuries in the Northern Crest he still had a scar. I'm not sure I can rid myself of the markings completely, but I'll do my best. The effort to send healing power through my body is exhausting. I'm not sure how long I've had my power restored, but it can't have been long. I'll need to rest and recoup my strength to do this much healing.
There's a knock on my door and I have enough time to snatch the overlay and cover myself before the visitor enters. She pauses, her curious brown eyes meeting mine. Her gaze darts from the bed back to me.
"You're up." Her sweet voice catches me off guard. My suspicious gaze must be obvious because she then says, "Your white hair is beautiful. Are you a Frost Elf?"
I shake my head, tucking strands behind my non-pointed ears for her to get the picture. "I'm half," I say with a voice that doesn't sound like it belongs to me. It sounds like I've been screaming for hours and all I'm left with is a slight rasp.
"I would give you some privacy to redress, but I was here earlier drawing you a warm bath so you can freshen up. I also brought ointments to help with your burns."
I stare in the direction of the on-suite bathroom and sure enough, there's a terracotta tub with steam rising above the top. I slide my attention back to her, clutching the fabric tighter against my chest. "Who are you? Where am I?"
Realization sparks across her brown face. "Forgive me! You must have so many questions." She sets her tray down and marches toward me, her olive overlay billowing behind her. When I back up a step, she halts her approach. Sadness flashes in her gaze before a warm friendliness takes its place. "I'm Hani Naziri. You're in Vashbehtan."
"Naziri?" I sputter. "Do you know General Naziri?"
She tilts her head curiously. "I'm his youngest daughter."
Wonder and relief flood me. "So, he survived the Great War."
"You seem to know a lot about my father," she says cautiously. "My siblings said you called yourself Aurelia Basilius-Sol. Is that your true name?"
"Siblings?"
"Hagar and Helios. They're the ones who found you," she explains kindly.
I nod, vaguely remembering the sand wielders from the desert. Though I couldn't tell you what they looked like. "Yes, my name is Aurelia Basilius-Sol. I'm the daughter of Enver Sol and Sylvane Basilius."
She bobs her head. "Your blood opened the portal, didn't it?"
I lower my head, my eyes sweeping the wood floors. "It wasn't by choice."
