I dipped my chin and turned to Nadra, but she looked less than thrilled. Less than any emotion. Her face was blank, apart from the red circles below her eyes from crying. I would have to make this as temporary and comfortable for her as possible. “Do we have another room to spare, Rook? I’m not sure she would be comfortable in mine.”
Nadra squeezed my hand, and I turned to her. “Don’t leave me alone,” she said.
Something in that simple phrase, mixed with my protective nature of her, roared to life, and the bond between us vibrated in response. I wanted her. I couldn’t control that beast.
“I’ve got one room with a double bed and that’s about as much as I can offer. We are working on expanding, but it’s still much better than what we had.”
“That will be fine.” He led us down the stark white hallway and into a simple room. Just as he was about to shut the door, I paused. “One more thing, I’m going to need some rebels. Nadra’s mom is in the dungeons and I intend to save her.”
“I’m not sure I’ve got them to spare,” he said.
“The king imprisoned her for being a rebel, Rook. Even if she isn’t, I’ve got to try. She’s a seamstress with magic. She could be helpful.”
“A seamstress? What’s her name?” He looked back at Nadra.
“Megere.” His face lost all color. “Do you know her?”
“We’ve met,” he said curtly and walked out the door, agreeing to nothing.
I watched Nadra carefully as she sat on the edge of the bed. The small room was plain. A bed, small chest of drawers and a covered lamp. I set my loaded bags down gently and began pulling out the items I’d retrieved and covered the top of the chest with pungent herbs and essential elixirs. I lined the wall with the small number of books and journals I’d managed to save and I filled the drawers of the chest with all the materials I could bring to make as much truth serum as possible.
“You did not pack clothes?” Nadra asked as she watched me.
“Books were more important.”
“My mother would disagree.” She turned her head, staring off into nothing.
“I believe she would.” I smiled. Crossing the room, I sat beside her on the bed. “Would you allow me to heal you, Nadra?”
I held out my hand and waited.
She looked down to it for several moments before she rested her own within.
I called my magic forward and gently moved it toward her. The moment the magic coursed through her, she gasped, and I continued until she looked less pale, less gaunt. I knew it would not heal her heart or her mind, but the lack of proper nutrition would be gone.
Her beautiful red hair began to shine, and the circles below her honeyed eyes faded away. As I pressed my magic deeper into her, I sent feelings of happiness and encouragement. Nadra’s eyes drooped. She needed sleep. I pulled my hand away and helped her lay down. I slipped off her shoes and covered her with the blanket.
Mine. She was mine, and my baser instinct told me to take her. To make her mine in all ways. I had to pull back. I had to remind myself that her pull to me was not as strong as mine was to her. That she was still fragile and would need time. If I forced it and she refused the bond, my soul would be ripped in two, and I wasn’t sure how anyone could survive that. I lifted the second pillow from the bed, turned off the lamp, and found a spot on the floor. I listened to her soft, slow breathing until I fell asleep. I woke to Nadra nudging me. “What’s wrong?” I asked, bolting upright.
“I’m hungry.”
My heart leaped for joy at those beautiful words. Eating meant she had found a will to live, and I’d doubted that would happen several times the day before. “Let’s go see what we can find around here.”
“Thank you, Temir. For everything.”
We scoured the underground building until we found a small kitchen. There wasn’t a lot, but there was enough to make eggs and toast. Watching her eat was pure satisfaction. To know I had fulfilled a simple need for her caused the mating bond to vibrate. We went back to our shared bedroom, and as soon as we entered, I double checked to make sure my bags were still there and then set down the pitcher of water I’d brought from the kitchens. I sat on the floor and began the tedious process of making an abundance of serum.
Not a single person knew the rebel compound held one of the king’s most sought-after possessions. I had to believe that if he would send two of his prized wielders after something that even the creator had asked me not to hand over, then it really was as powerful as I felt it was.
I felt the void of Gaea’s absence more acutely now. I trusted her with my life. I knew her. Nadra had admitted she would have given the king my secrets, and for that reason alone, I could not trust her. I could protect her, but right now, I had to keep my secrets close.
She had been quiet all through breakfast. Withdrawn. I became more and more consumed with the thought of her and the mystery of who she really was as I worked. I’d mixed the ingredients I needed and closed my eyes, infusing my magic into the plucked leaves before starting the oil extraction.
She tugged on the bond, and my world stopped. I looked up to meet her curious eyes.
“You can feel me?” she asked.
“Just as you can feel me.” I set my work to the side and moved to sit beside her on the bed. “Close your eyes.”
