When Jade’s light entered Rell’s body, it burned away most of the aches and fatigue, but didn’t touch the desolation being in Vile’s presences had left in her. “That will have to do for now.” Jade removed her hands. “It will last us until we get home and can fully heal.”
“Thank you.” Rell smiled and rotated her wrist, amazed that the ache where she’d been struck by a chunk of falling stone was gone. “That feels much better.”
…
Siban led the small mare to where Rell and Jade sat. Jade’s glare cut to the animal. A sigh heaved from her. “Will this torture never end?”
Rell gave her a sympathetic pat on the back. “No.”
“Thank you, Esmeralda. Your empathy is underwhelming.” Jade’s eyes darted around the clearing, as if looking for a place to hide. “Here comes Luc with my mount.”
“You just faced down several Summoners, the Demon King, and rode a dragon. I think you can handle a horse,” Rell said.
Jade scowled. “You’re beginning to sound like Mother.”
That made Rell smile. “I will take that as a compliment.”
Rell mounted her horse, taking the reins from Siban.
“If we’re ready, let’s mount up.” Gregory pulled his horse to the front of the line. “I think it best if we go as far as Illuma Grand today.” He glanced at the sky. “We’ve probably four hours of sunlight and I’m sure we could all do with a rest before pushing on to the manor.”
When nobody disagreed, Gregory urged his stallion forward and back along the path they had traveled. They felt no hint of the Bane, nor did they meet another person on the trail. The hum of bugs and the song of birds indicated their only companions. The farther they traveled from the Shadow World, the more relaxed Rell became. Though the battle was nowhere near over, at least tonight she’d be able to sleep peacefully. Grabbing every precious moment in life was a lesson being thrust at her more and more.
Just when she thought she understood the workings of her life, something would change. It was a chaotic existence, where friends became foes, cowards became heroes, and a demon could become a king.
The time seemed to pass more quickly than when they had traveled toward the Shadow World and they arrived at Illuma Grand just after nightfall. Once again they were received in front of the palatial structure by several men dressed in gray. The Bringers gave their horses over to the stable hands, with instructions to feed and water the animals well.
Rell couldn’t help but notice that the gazes from the mixed bloods had changed. No longer did they look upon their arrival wide-eyed, as if the group was some exotic and strange animal prowling the halls of Illuma Grand. Now, respect and eagerness burned in place of fear. Beatrice had obviously been spreading the word.
Inside the hall, an older woman, dressed not in gray but blue velvet robes greeted them. Her gown was conservative but still spoke of wealth. She executed a graceful curtsey. “Sir Gregory.”
He returned her welcome with a low bow. “Lady Tobin, you are a sight for weary eyes.”
Her worried gaze traveled over the group. “I can see things are not well.” She folded her hands in front of her. “And that you were not able to rescue my grandson?”
Gregory gave a slow shake of his head. “No, my lady, we were unable to locate those taken by the Bane.”
“Well—” She blinked quickly a few times and sniffed. “I’m sure you did all you could, and from the looks of you, it was no easy journey.”
“That, my lady, is an understatement,” Rhys said. “May we beg lodging for the night?”
“Of course.” She waved a young man to them. “See to rooms for our guests. Put them in my wing.”
“Yes, Lady Tobin.” The young man’s gaze skated over them, his mouth silently moving as he counted each one of them. “Right away.”
With that he turned and jogged across the hall and down the west corridor.
“After you freshen up, I hope you will join me for dinner.” She lowered her voice. “I would very much like to hear of your adventure and your opinion about the rising danger of the Bane.”
“We would be honored, my lady.” Gregory gave a quick bow and held her gaze. “I trust Lord Bagita will not be in attendance.”
“No, he will not.” Lady Tobin’s mouth pinched in a sour expression. “I think it’s time somebody put that man in his place.”
“My lady, I believe you are just such a person,” Gregory said.
The young man Lady Tobin had sent to prepare their rooms returned. “Your chambers will be ready in a few minutes if you’d like to follow me.”
“We will dine in my private dining room at eight o’clock. My chamber is the last one at the end of the west hall.”
“Thank you, my lady. I look forward to our talk,” Gregory said.
“As do I,” she replied.
“If you’ll follow me,” the young man said again.
Lady Tobin watched their departure. Though Rell had never met the woman, her heart went out to her. With her missing grandson and the problems brewing within Illuma Grand, life for the woman could not be easy.
Exhaustion swamped Rell, a yawn pulling at her. Suddenly she was very tired and wanted nothing more than to lie down. The young man indicated a group of rooms and then left, letting the group divide the chambers between themselves.
Siban opened the closest door and pulled Rell inside. She went willingly. The furnishings in the room were sparse and utilitarian, though after her time in the Shadow World, she would never turn her nose up at a comfortable bed.
“Lie down.”
Rell waved him away. “I’m fine, Siban. You don’t have to hover over me.”
He walked to her and gently grasped her shoulders. “I’m not hovering, I’m tending.”
She smirked. “Is there a difference?”
“Most definitely.” He eased her toward the bed. “Hovering implies unnecessary worry.” The back of her knees butted against the bed, setting her off-balance. She sat and Siban knelt in front of her. “Tending means that I am doing what needs to be done to make sure a member of my party stays healthy and unharmed.”
It was impossible not to laugh at his serious expression. “All right, comrade, I’ll let you tend to me.”
“That’s a good soldier.” His fingers glided down her arms and he laid his palms against hers. “After I finish, you may tend to me.”
She tipped her head toward him. “You’re very generous.”
“I know,” he said. “Now close your eyes.”
“But I want to watch you.”
He smiled. “All right.” Siban stood and picked up a pitcher. Tipping it, he let the water pour into the matching basin. He set the water beside the bed and dipped a linen cloth into the liquid, squeezing out the excess.
The rag was cool against her head. With gentle swipes, he cleaned the grime from her face. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. Thick black lashes rested against his cheeks and his skin had darkened from the sun. He was beautiful inside and out. What he had seen in her when she was a demon was still a mystery to her. But now she understood how the strength of one person’s love could save the other from near death. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. No risk she wouldn’t take. No foe she wouldn’t battle to keep him safe. When they practiced using their Tell, they had glided side by side, connected but still separate. Now they were one, their souls merged.
When he was finished, Siban tossed the rag into the basin and lifted her fingers to his lips. He gently kissed their tips. “I want to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
Several seconds passed before he spoke. He seemed to struggle for what he wanted to say. “I love you.”