Then he turned, melting back into the alley, the faint pulse of his runes vanishing into the dark.
31
Find Me
After the encounter with Zarrek, Kailorien opened a portal back to the Lattice and took Auryn to the Resh’Agar’s wing. The Cycle of Dark painted the world in endless pitch, leaving most unable to decipher whether it was morning or night. Only the Polis-lights, cued to light at certain hours with the help of Lattice Attendants, helped identify whether it was time to sleep or wake.
Those lights were dimmed now, signifying dusk. As he approached his wing, a great set of onyx, gold, and crimson-veined doors parted before him. The wards responded only to his, Auryn’s, and Lu’ma’s mana signatures.
He expected his suite to be empty, but the moment he stepped through the archway, a figure rushed forward dressed in violet and auburn robes. Her long pointed hood was pulled down, revealing a tight black bun fastened atop her head.
Lu’ma.
The Attendant’s robes flared with the motion of her signing. Hands fluttered, sharp and swift: 'Your Quintessence—she was not here—this Nameless searched—'Then she saw Auryn in his arms. Covered in blood. Bruised. Burned.
Her hands stilled. For the first time since he’d known her, Lu’ma froze. Paled. She’d seen Auryn in the throes of many Flares. Had even seen her sustain some minor injuries. But not like this.
Kailorien’s voice was low. Urgent.
“Run the bath, Lu’ma. Add Lustral runes. Suppression and regeneration class.Sut’remfor burns,Velin, andRuun’sefor shock. Keep the temperature lukewarm.”
Lu’ma blinked, snapped into motion, and signed without hesitation, 'Yes, Your Quintessence. This Nameless obeys.'
She spun on her heel and rushed to the bathing chamber, hands already signing magical commands into the Runewell embedded in the wall. The floor pulsed beneath them. The rush of enchanted water echoed off the walls, spiraling and flowing through the carved lion-maw spouts on the ledge. The room grew humid, thick with scented steam. The air shimmered as the runes activated, soothing pulses of white-gold mana curling into the mist.
He carried Auryn past the vestibule, past the velvet divans and empty Sahtra stations. Into the deeper chamber of his wing where he set her down on a low cushioned bench. He began to undress her, murmuring reassurances as he tugged the bloodied, torn garments off her still form. All the while, she looked at the floor, dazed. Lost. Her eyes foggy and distant as though she’d lost track of her thoughts.
By the time he entered the bathing room, thick steam was already coiling through the air, fragrant with amberroot and myrrh. A glowing green mist rose over the deep pool, the runes etched into the tiles pulsing in response to the Lustrals placed within. Designed to siphon pain, accelerate healing, and numb the worst of the body’s fire.
He shed his own garments then stepped into the pool with Auryn in his arms, sitting on the ledge under the water. Her lips were pale. Blood had dried in her hair.
Lu’ma reentered, sleeves rolled, a stacked pile of linens and bandages in her arms. She did not sign. She simply knelt beside them on theledge above the water and began working. Her touch was gentle as she untangled the mess that was Auryn’s hair, wiping blood from the strands and oiling the snarls to ensure she could brush them out painlessly. As the Lustral water surrounded her, something in Auryn’s skin began to change. A faint shimmer. A glow beneath the bruises. Golden light Kailorien had seen many times.
Her body’s mysterious healing had begun.
Kailorien held her as Lu’ma worked. One arm around her back, one beneath her knees, fingers brushing her hip in slow, grounding circles.
“It’s alright now,” he murmured, again and again. “You’re safe.”
Lu’ma’s hands paused. A flicker of emotion crossed her expression before she bowed her head in silence and resumed her brushing.
“She went to the Commons alone,” Kailorien added, keeping his voice steady and gentle so he wouldn’t startle Auryn. “To tend to the sick in the temples.”
Lu’ma’s signing, when it resumed, was slower than before. 'Her Radiance always goes. Without fail. For countless Cycles now. These injuries—what happened this day?'
“Her list of enemies only grows.” His voice was raw. “She was ambushed.”
Lu’ma glanced at him, her eyes wide, and signed, 'This Nameless apologizes. Lost Her Radiance’s trail near the Axis Hall. No witness would speak. This Nameless searched, but—'
Kailorien shook his head. “If she doesn’t want to be found, she won’t be.”
He kissed Auryn’s temple, his voice soft, coaxing, steadying her when the world tilted.
“Isn’t that right, starlight?” he murmured against her skin. “Look at all this fuss you’ve caused. Lu’ma was signing so fast when she saw you that her fingers will be sore for days.”
His fingers continued to stroke her back as Lu’ma kept brushing.
“I looked for you,” he went on, more gently now. “When the Reskala caught wind, they lined up to volunteer a search. You know they’ve taken a liking to their Sokâr since you mandated Lustral baths in the barracks.”
