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“Idiot.” I watch his skin fall off in blackened chunks. I wasn’t done with him. I’d intended to keep him in a perpetual state of half-drowned for at least the next hour. It seems my fun will have to wait for the next arsehole who tries to touch my mate, though.

“Thank you,” I toss at Castor, who flexes his hands casually. I’ll never understand how the flames don’t burn him. When we were children, I used to wet his hands after he used his magic, at least until they stopped smoking. I don’t think he ever needed it though, just liked the attention I gave him.

Eden flinches as Phillion’s head rolls off, and I curse under my breath.

“You shouldn’t have to see this.” Holding her tightly, I turn away. But the damage has already been done. All the colour has drained from her face and she’s barely breathing.

“Damn it.” I cast a wave of water to put out the last of the flames, then whisk her into the hallway. “Eden, look at me, sweetheart.”

Her eyes are glossy and fixed onto the ceiling.

“Eden,” I whisper. What was I thinking? I should’ve dealt with Phillion outside, found a clearing in the woods. The bond would’ve punished me for being so far away, but at least she wouldn’t have found us. She shouldn’t have to see me like this. This dirty, wicked part of me. The part that has absolutely no place around an untainted, sweet-natured soul like hers.

Brushing my thumb over her thigh, I shoot Castor a desperate look.

“Shall I call for the healer again?” he offers.

I shake my head. “No. Let’s take her back to her room and give her some wine. Alcohol will help.”

“Are you sure?” He frowns when he notices her tiny, panicked breaths.

“Yes. Wine will help.” At least it helped me the first time I watched Castor burn someone alive. We were ten years old when it happened. Two brothers staring at the charred body of a prisoner who’d broken free of his cuffs.

“Actually,” I add. “Have the healer bring us more herbs too.” I lower my voice, whispering something else to Castor that Eden doesn’t need to hear.

My mate will not run away again. Especially not while her ankle is like this.

Even if I have to do something she really won’t like to keep her here.

19

EDEN

His skin peeled from his face. I suck in a breath. He looked like a dripping candle. Another breath. A human, dripping skin candle.

Tears blur my vision, but I can still see him. His melting face. His black crumbling skin. It won’t go away. Won’t go away. Won’t go away⁠—

Wine trickles into my throat, and I choke.

“Drink,” a soothing voice says. “It will help you.”

My hands dig into something soft. Bed sheets, I think. The silky texture is nice, distracting as the wine pools on my tongue.

I swallow the biggest gulp I can manage. “That’s it,” the voice says again. “Good girl.”

Warmth flutters in my chest, more than just from the wine as I down the entire glass. I’m vaguely aware of the sound of the glass refilling before someone passes the goblet back to me, and I down it once again, hugging my knees to my chest. My damp knees. Oh Stars.

Lux was trying to drown that man before Castor…

“It’s alright, Eden.” A hand rubs my back. “We’re not going to hurt you.”

The fog in my head clears a little, and I lift my gaze to find myself seated on my bed while Lux kneels beside me. Castor sits at the edge of the bed, watching me with a concerned expression.

My gaze drifts between them. “Y-you killed Ph—” I can’t even bring myself to say his name. If I do, I’ll think about his charred skin, his face, his screams, his…

“Ugh.” I dig my palms into my eyes.

“Hush,” Lux soothes. “Have more wine.” He brings the refilled goblet back to my lips, but I push it away. I already feel sick enough, and my head is starting to spin.