Shadowborn

Chapter Eighty-Seven: Jailbreak

To my surprise, my time in Stella’s workshop flew by. Like Rhallani, once she was engrossed in a project, her focus was unshakable. It helped that my time in Esther’s shop during the war gave me enough knowledge to know just what questions to ask to prod her along in her musings, and it wasn’t long before she was so invested in Nell that she no longer had the capacity to tease me.

Thank the gods. With how hard I spent most of the night, I was going to make Rhallani a very happy Arelim when I got home. Her and whoever else wanted to join in, because Stella quite literally flaunting her naked body in front of me all night was really making it hard to stay focused. I was just lucky she was forced to don her apron once again since she apparently refused to tie the front of her coat closed. Something about the constant flashes of the creamy skin underneath my coat was so much more erotic than her simply being nude that I started to consider her jab to get naked myself.

It especially helped when I started using my storage to transfer materials from our manor to the workshop. I could tell she hadn’t fully believed I was willing to provide her with so many valuable magic components, but the happy tears that welled in the corners of her eyes when I did was extremely worth it.

Another thing that caught me by surprise was how quickly my Soul Essence started to regenerate. Just spending time with Stella, guiding and prodding her genius mind as she inhaled everything there was to know about the golem in front of her, not only put me at ease in a fashion I hadn’t experienced in a very long time but it also got me up to nearly one hundred thirty Soul Essence.

But, all too soon, her alarms signaled someone approaching. In the time it took for her to get dressed her demeanor had shifted completely. Gone was the flirty, slightly awkward, bright little Elf girl. She donned her mask expertly, shifting into a much more serious, much darker version of herself that once again made me want to scoop her up and take her somewhere she’d never have to hide herself away again.

But the enchanted mark on her side meant that wasn’t an option. If I was going to do this, I had to do it right. That meant taking my time and making sure she didn’t end up paying for any of my mistakes.

We were waiting in her main workshop when Letty arrived, pale and out of breath. “It’s time. She’s awake.”

I’d felt a tremor through our Link briefly a few minutes ago, so that made sense. I’d been monitoring our connection closely, but so far it was still considerably weaker than most of the Links I’d forged so far. I took that to mean she still didn’t trust me fully, which was completely fair all things considered. Still, that meant I was limited in what I could sense through our Link.

I slid Stella’s magicloak on and immediately it absorbed my shadows. They writhed and pulsed initially, but I’d spent some of my time in her secret workshop experimenting. It was only a few seconds before I managed to calm them, shaping the darkness until it just looked like a really dark cloak.

Stella and I exchanged a glance. There was worry in her eyes, even if she was doing her best to hide it. Suddenly it was painfully difficult to walk away from her. To leave her here, alone, in what my brain insisted was enemy territory. I couldn’t shake the sensation that if I left her now I might never see her again.
Before I could find the words to say anything, she threw herself into my chest and wrapped her arms around me. “Please be safe,” she said, her voice muffled by the cloak she’d given me.

I wrapped one arm around her while stroking her hair gently. “Don’t go worrying about me. I promise I’ve walked out of more dangerous places than a brothel.”

She nodded, but it was still a few beats before she pulled away. “See you next time?”

“You know it.”

She offered me her best smile, and I did my best to return it. I could feel her eyes on me as I followed Letty out of the workshop. I pulled my hood low and Letty latched onto my arm so it looked like she was my escort. Sure enough, just as she’d promised, the halls were filled with other men and even a few women with hoods pulled low.

Nobody batted an eye in our direction while Letty guided me through. It wasn’t until we were almost at our destination that I realized I was far more aware of her trembling fingers clutching my arm than her nearly naked body pressed up against mine.

There was some comfort in that. At least I wasn’t painfully horny for every woman that came along. Just my women. Now I had to figure out why my dick was convinced that label extended to women like Stella and Karina, who I’d only just met.

“She’s in here, but I don’t have a key. I saw her awake when one of those poor girls with a collar went in,” Letty said in a hushed tone.

I patted her hand. “You did good. Wait out here for me, I shouldn’t be too long.”

She swallowed hard once, then nodded. She stepped away and I pressed a hand to the door. I conjured a shadow, then focused my will through it until it was thin enough to slip into the keyhole. I felt around for the lock mechanism and carefully undid it, then reached into my storage and pulled out one of Rhallani’s early prototypes. One of the silencing runes she’d used on the bed.

I channeled some magic into it and opened the door. The bubble kept me from making any noise, and since the only hostile occupant was facing away from me, my entrance went unnoticed. Valith sat tied to a chair in the center of the room facing me. Her eyes didn’t so much as flicker in my direction, but I felt the change in our Link. Surprise and relief. She knew I was here at least.

Between us was one of the collared. The Seelie, Seven. Short gold and red hair and clothes that barely covered the bruising that trailed up the entire side of her body. She was pacing back and forth, her attention locked on Valith. As I slipped in, she was shaking her head.

“You were out, Fourteen,” she said, despair heavy in her tone. “You were free. Why would you ever come back? Why would you risk it?”

“You really think I’d leave you behind, Sev?” Valith asked grimly. “I saw a chance to save you, and I took it with both hands. I’m not leaving you to this life.”

Seven shook her head angrily, running her hands through her hair with enough force that they tore out a few strands. “Forget about me! The only reason I could even get out of bed these last few weeks is because I knew you’d shucked your collar. Now that they’ve got you again… Fourteen, I—”

“Valith,” she responded with a smile. “That’s my name now. Valith.”

Seven stopped her pacing. “That’s a good name, Valith.”

Whether by intention or not, Seven stopped in the perfect place for me to approach. I left the silencing charm on the door to make sure we wouldn’t be disturbed and pulled the Jailer’s Blade out of my storage. While still in the silencing bubble, I flipped the latch open.

I don’t like this place, Ash said immediately. Her voice seemed to grow clearer every time I pulled the blade out. There’s so much sadness here. Can we burn it down?

Working on it, I thought back, hoping she could understand.

Ooh, neat! Can I help?

I couldn’t suppress a smirk at the sudden shift in the emotions burning through the bond. Sure. First things first, we need to help the Seelie in front of us.

Got it! First question, what’s a Seelie?

Oh boy.

“Do you trust me, Sev?” Valith asked, her voice raw with emotion.

Seven’s shoulders stiffened. “As much as I can with this thing around my neck.”

I don’t know what a Seelie is, but I vote we get rid of that nasty collar first, Ash said in a chipper tone. Enslavement magic is super gross, especially the stuff like that. It’s way too close to this stupid prison for my liking.

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I paused. That was valuable information to file away later, it seemed. Can you stop the magic without destroying the collar?

Depends, can I borrow a bit of your soul and use this cool ass cloak you’re wearing?

I sent a pulse of affirmation through our Link, and she responded immediately with a wave of excitement. That was followed by a pull that nearly knocked me off my feet as Soul Essence was sucked into the blade. The magicloak, which had a second ago been inert, started shifting and undulating across my body, streaks of crimson weaving through the shadows and thickening them until it looked like I was surrounded by a cloud of red and black shadow.

“Close your eyes, Sev,” Valith said softly. “Please?”

Seven hesitated, then stepped forward and placed her hand to Valith’s cheek. “Alright,” she said, her voice equally quiet. Only then did Valith’s eyes flick to me, widening slightly at whatever she saw.

It was all I needed. I surged forward, trying to strike at the collar on her throat and end things in one fell swoop. I was mere feet away when it glowed an angry yellow, then Seven’s whole body went stiff. She whirled, her eyes wide with confusion, and something shot off her right bicep.

Swirling blue twisted and expanded until it was a long, winged serpent hurtling towards me fang-first. Seven’s confusion turned to fear as I hurtled towards her, but she was powerless to stop more of her tattoos from coming to life. The serpent swirled and twisted around the tip of my blade. I caught it about halfway down, slicing it in two, but since it wasn’t a real creature with organs it didn’t seem to care too much.

It wrapped around my blade as a bipedal creature made of vivid green and violet vines hurtled at me out of nothingness. I cut straight through its middle while tendrils ripped the serpent to shreds. The vine man’s halves fell to the sides, but the plants it was made of immediately started writhing until I was facing two vine men half the size of the original. In the time it took me to hack them into pieces small enough not to matter, Seven was facing me with a fearful, if determined, expression.

She crossed her arms, touching her fingers to either of her inner elbows, and came away with two long curved swords that looked like they were made of silver ink. She hesitated, then Valith said, “Your only chance is close combat. Trust me, Sev.”

Seven’s jaw clenched, then she was hurtling towards me while birds with wings made from blades erupted from her upper back and launched themselves at me. I conjured two empowered tendrils and they erupted from my shoulders, knocking most of them away. Several slipped past, apparently sentient enough to weave through my defenses. Rather than the pain of blades slicing into my flesh though, I felt dull thuds and heard the impact of metal on metal.

Though my curiosity was piqued, I didn’t waste time looking down. Valith was right to goad Seven into close quarters. The longer the fight went, the higher the chances of discovery. If Seven spent the fight hiding behind her living tattoos, then depending on how much more ink she carried this fight could drag on for far too long.

The only problem? Seven was very good at close quarters combat. If I didn’t have Ash and my shadows to keep her creations at bay, I’d be in trouble. As it was, I couldn’t manage to get my blade close enough to her collar for Ash’s destructive magic to take hold. Not without running the risk of any accidental decapitations.
Pretty sure [Shadow Stitching] wasn’t going to do much to fix that.

She was quick, but the Jailer’s Blade gave me an advantage. Every time our blades crossed, it ate away at the animated ink that much more until finally one of her blades gave way. I stepped in close, not giving her time to try and tap into another of her tattoos. The collar started glowing brighter and brighter, but her movements were sluggish. She was fighting its control.

I got it! Ash called in my head.

She lunged and my blade pulled itself out of the way of her strike. It went past my guard, slamming into my ribs, but once again all I felt was a dull thud. It hit hard enough that the already damaged blade snapped, and the tip of the Jailer’s Blade just barely nicked the edge of the collar.

I felt shadows twist and condense until they were pinpricks. They weaved through the collar, and I was aware of them brushing up against layer after layer of magic I was vaguely aware of. I felt their general purpose through Ash. She bypassed enchantment after enchantment, each written in layers upon layers of iron in a language I’d only ever seen in one place.

Inscribed upon the Jailer’s Blade.

She skipped over the enchantments that took in commands. Ignored the magic designed to force the wearer to protect themselves. Past all the different inscriptions that stripped away the will of the wearer until she found a single thread of magic. The one that transferred all that the collar did to its wearer. With pinpoint precision, she eradicated that one single line, leaving the rest of the collar and its magic intact.

All at once, the fight fell out of Seven’s body. She collapsed, falling to her hands and knees. I threw myself backwards, struggling for a moment to reign in all the shadows that were still trying to lash out and destroy anything and everything that came into their range. Now that I finally had a moment, I looked down. My cloak was gone, replaced by a literal set of armor unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Interlocking plates of metal as black as my shadows marbled with red covered my torso and upper legs. It was light and flexible enough that they didn’t hinder my movement, but I’d already felt how effective it was at blocking damage.

But, just because Seven was free, didn’t automatically mean she was an ally. I turned my attention back to her, weapon raised, waiting for her next move.

At first, she didn’t move a muscle. She sat there on her hands and knees, eyes wide, with a look of shock on her face. Tentatively, she reached up and touched the collar still at her throat. For all intents and purposes, it appeared unaffected. Then, violently, she brought the blade still remaining in her hand to her arm and sliced deep into her flesh.

She looked at the line of crimson like it was a miracle, then let out a laugh filled to the brim with disbelief. “Fuck. Fuck. You…” she looked up at me, then her expression hardened. She jerkily pushed herself to her feet and moved to stand between me and Valith. “Who are you?”

“Relax, Sev,” Valith said, the relief in her voice evident. “That’s my boss. He’s the one who save me. Nine and Seventeen, too.”

Seven blanched. Her arms fell to the side and she actually staggered a step. “Seventeen’s alive?”
“Alive and well,” Valith said with a laugh. “Shit, the pipsqueak even smiles every once in a while. You can trust him, Sev. You can also untie me whenever you feel like it.”

“Shit!” Seven cursed, letting her sword fall to the ground. She turned her back to me and darted towards Valith in a rush to untie her. “Sorry!”

Ash trilled in my head. Alright! Collar neutered! Now, let’s go take care of this Seelie thingy.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. The girl is the Seelie, Ash. Mission accomplished. Now, I can’t exactly go running around a brothel with a giant scary sword, so I’m gonna have to put you back.

No problem, as long as you promise to take me out when you get home. Things are clearer these days, even when I’m locked up, but your pocket dimension is too quiet. It reminds me of… things.

As much as I wanted to expand on just what exactly that meant, now wasn’t the time. I returned the blade to its scabbard and banished it to my storage. When I returned my attention to the other two girls, they were embracing tight enough that I felt the need to avert my gaze and give them a moment.

When they pulled away, Valith’s hand went to the collar still around Seven’s throat. “Let’s get this off you and get you home,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

But Seven pulled away. “Not while they still have Four. Six and Thirteen are supposed to return from their mission soon as well. I can be your inside man, give us an edge when its time to save them. You’re not the only one allowed to risk your freedom, Valith.”

Valith looked like she wanted to argue, then her shoulders slumped. She turned to me. “Gotta say, I wasn’t entirely sure you’d spring me. Thanks, boss.”

I just shrugged. “I don’t leave men behind. I take it your infil was a bust, then?”

She grinned. “Hardly. I made out like a bandit, but I wanted to cover my tracks. Snuck back in to make it look like a common robbery. Didn’t expect to get blasted by a sleep spell, though.” She threw her arm over Seven’s shoulders. “Sev, this is my boss, the infamous Zaren Nocht.”

Seven’s body locked up. “You’re the Shadowborn?” Her gaze flitted to where the pieces of her animated tattoos were dissolving on the ground. “Fuck, thanks for holding back on me then.”

I inclined my head. “Thanks for not making me kill you.” I stepped closer, reaching for her collar. “May I?”
She glanced at Valith, who nodded encouragingly. As I examined the collar close up, I couldn’t help but marvel at that fact. Just like Stella before, Valith was vouching for me. Once upon a time, it was Rolar who had to do the same for just about everyone we came across. Now I seemed to have collected a whole host of people who trusted me implicitly.

It was mildly terrifying.

The collar itself was just as I remembered, but with all I’ve learned I recognized the style of magic unique to the Jailer’s blade. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I’d never seen anything remotely like Karn’s collars in the years since I’d escaped them. I’d always had the feeling that the Jailer’s Blade sat at the center of his machinations, and this was just further proof of that.

“How much time do you spend here?” I asked her.

She avoided looking at both of us. “Seelie make a lot of money. We’re rare and alluring, after all. I’m here more often than not.”

I had a feeling the bruises that ran the length of her body, as well as those mottling the side of her face I hadn’t had a chance to look at until now, were the result of that. I nodded curtly, then stepped back. Valith looked like she wanted to commit murder, but I put a hand on her shoulder. “You still in touch with Lizard—er, with Samsol, I mean?”

It took her a second to unclench her jaw. “I can be, yeah.”

“Tell him we’ve got a Ramadi situation. He’ll know what I mean. I’ll foot the bill.” Then, to Seven, I said, “that’ll be the code word. If they say Ramadi, then you know we sent them. We’ll occupy your nights so you have a chance to keep us informed and we can keep the Swallow’s guests away from you.”

Her relief was visible. “That won’t be cheap.”

“Maybe not, but it’ll be well worth it. Now, you know the Swallow’s artificer?”

“Estellise?”

I chuckled. I could tell why she might prefer to go by Stella. She simply didn’t strike me as an Estellise.

“That’s the one. Get with her, tell her I sent you. I’d like her to learn everything she can about that collar you’re wearing, see if she can find a way to neutralize it that isn’t me and my blade. Hopefully with Rhallani’s help they can figure something out.”

She nodded. “I can do that. But for now, you should go. Gallow will be here soon, and we can’t risk him recognizing Valith. As far as they know, she and Nine are on the run somewhere to the north.”

Valith grimaced, but then her expression softened. She grabbed Seven’s hand. “Nine took the name Safina, and Seventeen is Noelle. You could choose a new name now, too, if you wanted.”

Moisture filled Seven’s eyes, but she blinked it away. “I’ll think on it. Now, we need to sneak Val out of here somehow.” She put her hands on her hips. “What kind of underwear are you rocking?”

Valith groaned. “It’s always something.” With a heavy sigh, she asked, “What are the odds you’ve got something slutty in there for Rhallani? We’re about the same size.”

Trying not to feel ridiculous, I handed her a corset and garter belt. Rhallani was going to be thrilled she’d been so much help tonight. While Valith started to strip, I worked on returning my cloak to it’s former shape to hide my profile. “Samsol should be able to get his man in place by the end of the day. Until then, leave whatever info you already have with Stella and she’ll get it back to us. The more you can tell us about their base, the quicker we can plan a hit to rescue anyone else with a collar. See if you can’t find when the other two will be arriving as well.”

Seven nodded. “Right. I can do all that.”

Valith handed me her clothes, which I banished to my storage. “Zaren…” she started. The fact that she used my name caught my attention immediately. “I know this is a big ask, but will you Link her? I’d feel a lot better sending her back into hell if we at least knew when she got into shit. Plus, I figure you can track her with it.”
At Seven’s confused glare, I gave her a brief summary of what the Link entailed. Even after the fight, I still had nearly a hundred Soul Essence in the tank. I’d already confirmed she didn’t have a shimmer, but I could afford the thirty Essence it would cost.

She bit her lip, then nodded. “If Valith and Nine are Linked to you, then I’ll Link as well. It’s not a sex thing, right?”

“Definitely not,” I promised. “No sex required. Valith and I are perfectly platonic, and I have no issue keeping it that way.”

Seven looked skeptical, which made Valith laugh. “He’s not kidding. His girls keep him plenty drained, so he wouldn’t have the energy to force you into anything. And if he did, they’d probably kill him.”
She still looked unsure, but she just nodded. “Right. Guess it’s time for you to go, then.” They pulled one another close, pressing their foreheads together. “Be safe, Valith.”

“Pretty sure that’s my line, Sev,” Valith whispered back. “If you get busted, know that there isn’t a damn thing that’ll keep me from coming for you.”

“And I’ll be right behind her,” I agreed. I held my hand out and she took it hesitantly. When I activated [Forge Link], it felt like it had in the early days before I’d fully expanded my pool. Like it was ripping the essence straight out of my chest to create the connection between us. I bit back a groan and magic sparked between our palms, then it was done. I could feel her faintly on the other end of the Link, which would have to be good enough until I could earn her trust more.

“Play it safe, don’t take any crazy risks,” I told her, pulling my hood up. “Trust only Stella and Samsol’s man. Valith will be in charge of monitoring the Swallow, so I’ll leave the rest up to her.”

Seven nodded, then walked up to the door. I pried the silencing charm off the wall next to the entrance while she checked outside for anyone nearby. When she waved us on, there was only Letty.

As soon as they saw one another, both Letty and Valith gasped. Letty threw her arms around Valith, and after a moment Valith did the same. “Shit, Let, when did you grow tits?” Valith asked tearfully.

“Long story,” Letty said back, wiping her eyes, “and most days I wish I hadn’t. But enough about that, we need to get you out of here. Remi’s here, too. She’s watching one of the side doors, so that’s where we’ll go.

Valith nodded with a grimace. “There’s a painting on the second floor. A collared Seraphim surrounded by two muscled up Erinyes. You know it?”

Letty grimaced, then nodded. “I do.”

“I stashed some shit behind it. Think you can get it to the artificer downstairs?”

“I can, but after we get you two out of here. Come on.”

Seven and Valith exchanged one last lingering look, then nodded to one another. “Don’t you dare get yourself killed or re-collared, Sev. I’ll bring your ass back just to kill you if you do.”

Seven shot her a teary grin. “Same to you. Say hi to Safina for me.”

“Will do.”

They finally tore their gazes from one another and Seven headed further into the Silver Swallow at a brisk pace. Letty wrapped around my arm again, encouraging Valith to do the same to blend in. Valith shot me a glare, giving me a pretty good idea of what she’d do if I didn’t keep my hands to myself, and I inclined my head.

Between the low cowl of my hood and the Dark Elves on my arms, nobody so much as spared us a second glance. In no time, a tall Lycanine was ushering us out a side door. She exchanged a brief, crushing hug with Valith, leveled a few threats at me, and then we were gone. We stopped long enough for Valith to throw some clothes on, then we were on our way home.

About halfway, Nariko appeared out of the darkness to let us know she’d sent the others back as well. When we reached the front doors of the manor, Valith finally allowed herself to breathe. “Seriously,” she said, “thank you. It’s nice to know you’ve actually got my back. I know you promised before, but knowing it is different.”

I patted her shoulder. “I told you, I take care of my own. If you’re going to risk your life on my behalf, then you can be sure I won’t abandon you. The same goes for anyone in my household.”

She nodded, her throat bobbing once, then pushed ahead to enter. It was early morning, still a few hours from sunrise, so the house was mostly silent. The only people visible were three individuals taking up one of the couches in the main hall.

Safina sat in the middle, her head bobbing back and forth as she tried to fight off sleep. To her left, Noelle was curled up in the crook of her arm fast asleep. On her right, Rhallani was splayed out with her head resting on Safina’s breast and Safina’s hand pressed to Rhallani’s back. Rhallani’s eyes were half closed, but they shot open when they saw us.

“You’re back!” she cried.

Safina shot to her feet immediately, bringing both girls with her and looking around, startled. Noelle made a disgruntled sound, still wrapped around her arm and holding on for dear life, but Rhallani just looked thrilled.

As soon as Safina’s gaze locked on us, she stormed over with the girls still in hand. “Thank the gods you’re both safe. Val, I was so worried—” She cut off when she tried to step forward and hug Valith, only just then realizing her arms were still filled. She looked between them all, growling deep in her throat.

Valith laughed so hard tears started leaking out of her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Safina, resting her forehead on Safina’s chest. “Never change, Blue.”

“Stella’s thrilled you’re safe,” Rhallani said, waggling her brows. “You should probably know that I can look through Festus’s eyes, too.”

I sighed. “Figures. Well, before you get carried away, you should probably know Karn’s collars use magic I’m fairly certain is based on the Jailer’s Blade. For now, let’s put understanding them at the top of your priorities.”

She nodded, eyes wide. “I’ll get right on it.”

“She’ll get right on it after she sleeps,” Safina clarified. She still seemed annoyed she couldn’t scoop up all three of them at once, but Valith still leaning on her appeared to soothe her inner dragon. “You were barely staying awake a minute ago.”

Rhallani scoffed. “Hello, pot, meet kettle!”

Safina just frowned. “I don’t know what that means.”

“It means,” I interjected, “that we should all go get some sleep. I know I’m exhausted.”

“Not too exhausted, I’d think,” Rhallani said, fluttering her lashes at me.

Safina looked at the stairs, biting her lip, then down at Valith. “Stay with us tonight? My dragon is still freaking out a little that you were in trouble and I couldn’t get to you.”

Valith hummed. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

Safina’s shoulder’s hunched. “Good. That’s really good to hear.”

Soon enough, we were all upstairs in the big room. I went to the dressing area and grabbed some clothes to sleep in. “I don’t know about you all, but I really need to wash the smell of brothel off.”

But when I turned around, Safina was standing at the edge of the bed with a wide smile, her tail swishing behind her. Everyone paused, watching as she toed off her boots and stepped down into the pit. She took a few steps in, then lifted her hands straight out to her sides and fell forward. She hit with a bounce, sinking into the piles of blankets and mattresses. She made a delighted sound and rolled, eyes facing straight up, splaying her limbs out in all directions.

“It just keeps going…” she said softly. Then she rolled over again and started manically pulling blankets and pillows towards her.

Rhallani looked like she was doing her best to hold in her laughter. “Looks like you might have been onto something about that nesting. Maybe we should—eep!”

Safina’s tail shot out lightning fast, catching Rhallani’s ankle and yanking it out from under her. Rhallani barely hit the mattress before Safina grabbed her by the leg and abducted her into the pile of blankets and pillows she’d made. Rhallani squealed and flailed her arms, though she didn’t do anything that looked remotely like trying to actually escape.

“Zaren, heeeeelp!” she called.

“Yeah Zaren,” Safina said, her eyes glittering with amusement, “come help her.” She burrowed deeper into the towels, her tail flicking, daring me to get within reach.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I would, but there’s a nice hot bath calling my name right now. There’s plenty of room, though. Someone,” I looked pointedly at Rhallani, “made sure there was more than enough room for everyone, giant, pretty, muscular Half-Dragons included.”

Safina’s pupils narrowed. “A bath?”

I nodded. “You don’t even have to let go of Rhallani.”

She licked her lips. “And… you’ll be there?”

“If that’s something you’re comfortable with.”

She looked around at the nest she’d made, then came to a decision. She popped up, throwing Rhallani over her shoulder. “Bath it is, then.”

“Safina!” Rhallani pleaded with a laugh, “I don’t have any clothes to change into!”

Safina swatted her on the rear, shutting her up rather effectively. “We both know it won’t stay on for long anyways, I’m just saving time.”

Rhallani shot me a heated look, and after the day I’d had I couldn’t help but adjust my pants. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by Rhallani. Her switch was flipped, and suddenly she was putty in Safina’s hands. Shaking my head, I threw my clothes over my shoulder and followed. Valith patted my arm. “I’ll send the others on in when they get here. And…”

She stepped in close. “Take care of my friend, Zaren. She’s got a lot of love to give, and she’s been through far too much pain already. If you hurt her, then I will end you.”

“Duly noted. And don’t you worry either, we’ll have Seven free and clear before long too.”

She blushed, then cleared her throat. She turned on her heel and strode out of the room without another word, leaving me alone in the room with Noelle, who still hadn’t said a word. Silently, she walked over and pressed her face into my side, grabbing two fistfuls of my shirt. “I hate not being able to go in with you,” she said softly.

I ran my fingers through her hair and she hummed. “I know, Noelle. It won’t be like this always.”

She breathed in deep, and I knew she was inhaling my scent. “I know, but I am still frustrated. I hate being so different I can’t even walk outside.”

“We’ll get there,” I promised, “until then, I’ll just have to make sure you’ve got enough friends at the manor to never feel alone again. And, when the time comes to storm the castle, you’ll be right there at my side.”

“Yes,” she said firmly, finally looking at me with intensity in her crimson eyes. “I will.”

I smiled. “Let’s go see if Safina let Rhallani undress herself, shall we?”

The corners of her lips turned up. “And you can finally see Safina naked. I wonder how her dragon will react when she sees you wearing just as little.”

Apprehension and arousal warred within me, but I couldn’t deny I was at least excited to see Safina enjoying the bath. There was something so pure about how fully she enjoyed the little things like beds and consistent meals. I pressed a kiss to the top of Noelle’s head, then she took my hand and led me into the bath. We’d only made it a few steps before we heard Rhallani’s delighted squeals.

“Guess Safina got impatient,” I said, and Noelle’s grin widened.

“Understandable,” Noelle said with a shrug. “She’s already waited plenty long if you ask me.”

Rhallani squealed again, then there was a loud splash, and I felt my own smile widen. “I couldn’t agree more.”