Liam arrives with the ointment and smiles when he sees the babies. "They've been like that since the moment they met," he says.
"It looks like the fire proofing has worked," I note. We've been trying a lot of spells over the last several weeks to keep Alina from burning down everything she touches, and nothing has worked until now.
He nods. "I think adding the phoenix feather to the spell really helped," he says. "Good call."
I grin at the compliment as he begins applying the ointment to my skin.
It burns a bit, then creates a cooling sensation that sucks the pain away. By the time he's done, I feel as good as new, and I know my skin will heal in no time. Magic medicine is the best.
Sebastian arrives next and pulls me into a bear hug that heals a much deeper part of my soul. Everything about this man makes me feel safe and cared for, and yet there is still a wall between us I don't know how to break down. But I'm determined to. Something always seems to get in the way of us being together more… intimately. That's going to end. Soon. I need this man. All of him.
As if sensing the direction of my thoughts, he tilts my head up and looks down at me, his forest green eyes full of so much unspoken longing.
"We should talk soon," I say softly. "Privately."
His pupils dilate and I feel how ready he instantly is for our 'talk.' "Just name the time and place, and I'm there."
But of course we are interrupted again when Elijah and Derek join us.
"Are Matilda and Lily coming?" I ask.
"Matilda is getting Ana to bed," Derek says. "And Lily is out with Kaya still."
"They haven't come back yet?" I ask, surprised. I know Lily went off to find the coroners, but I assumed she'd be home by now. Then again, Lily is home a lot less since she started dating Kaya, and I don't blame her. Being in a forest with her lover is likely far more exciting than being in a stuffy old castle.
"I'm sure she'll be back soon," Derek says. "Now please, share with us where you went. And how you suddenly learned to fly."
Oh right. Forgot about that.
That says something right there about how much has happened today, that learning to fly doesn't even register as worthwhile mentioning.
We take seats around the fire while the babies continue to play with their magic. Elijah brings me a glass of wine and he and Sebastian claim the spots to either side of me.
"Before I begin, I need you to all promise to zip your lips until I'm done. No matter what. Got it?" I glare at them each sternly until they all reluctantly agree.
And so I begin with the vision I saw of Cole in possession of a unicorn dagger heading out of the Otherworld.
"That puss-filled rodent," Sebastian seethes, and I shush him with a pinch to his arm.
"I said zip your lips."
He glowers but stays silent as I continue.
I finish my wine just as I finish my story, and Derek rises to refill my glass before pacing in front of the fire.
"The situation is escalating," Derek says. "We need to consider all our options. Having Ana and Zara here could backfire spectacularly."
"And where do you propose we send them?" I ask.
He glances away, because there's no good answer to that. "Anywhere that does not put you at risk and compromise our investigation."
"Ana is a potential witness," I say, "if you want to be so bloody pragmatic about it. And Zara is a potential victim in need of protecting. Since we don't know who to trust outside this room, that leaves few options."
Derek, who is usually the even tempered one, snaps. "Damnit, Eve. You're thinking with your heart and not your head in this one!"
I stand, tired of this discussion. "Maybe this world needs more damn heart. It seems too many of you immortals get far too callous as the years tear out your emotions in favor of greed and self-serving nepotism."
And with that I storm out, too worn down to fight anymore.
Once in my room, the weight of the day adds a decade to how I feel, and I slough off my clothes and sink into the hot bath that's already waiting for me complete with scented oils. "Mable, did you do this?"
I look around for any sign of the ghost that looks after this castle and see my towel float to the edge of the bath.
I smile. "Thank you. It's much appreciated."
Moon takes his spot at the foot of my tub and proceeds to dip his paws into the water, splashing at things only he can see. I ignore him and close my eyes, content to let the heat soak out the exhaustion I feel.
I'm one giant prune and my limbs feel like noodles by the time I crawl out of the bathtub and dry myself, then slip into a silk robe and head to my room.
The sexy Fire Druid is sitting at the foot of my bed with a vial of liquid in one hand and a jar of ointment in the other.
"This," he says, holding up the ointment, "is for the rest of those cuts."
I glance down at where he's looking and see my legs are pretty scratched up.
"And this," he says, indicating the vial, "is for the headache you have."
I raise an eyebrow. My head started pounding while I was in the bath. But… "how did you know?"
"It's a natural byproduct of pushing yourself too hard. You used some really advanced magic today and didn't give yourself time to recharge. There's going to be consequences."
I take the vial and down it in one gulp, cringing at the fowl taste. "Why do these always taste like ass? Can't you make something that tastes like strawberries?"
"Sure, I can, but it won't be medicinal. It's the rule. The worst it tastes, the better it works," he says with a wink.
"That's a terrible rule. By the power vested in me by the Mother of Dragons, I petition a change to this rule."
Liam laughs and pats the bed. "Settle in and I'll rub the ointment on you if you'd like."
By the gods I would like nothing more than to feel his hands all over my body, though I'm still too bloody pissed at Derek.
Still, I nod and let my robe fall to my feet. He studies my body with clear desire, but doesn't move until I'm lying on my stomach, eyes closed. Then he proceeds to massage out all the cuts and bruises, as well as the sore muscles that a day of intense—everything—has left. By the time he's done, I feel more relaxed.
"Thank you," I say, turning over to look at him. "I needed that."
He nods and heads to the door, then pauses. "I know we are all a pain in the ass at times. But know that Derek is just trying to protect you. We all are."
I sigh. "I know. But I'm not a broken little girl in need of protecting. Ana is though."
"I think Derek knows that. It's a complicated situation and he feels lost. He's used to being in charge of things, and he doesn't feel in charge of this. It scares him."
Damnit, I wanted to stay angry longer, but his words are softening my resolve.
"He's at the lake," Liam says. "In case that matters. He feels badly about the fight."
Well, shit.
Liam closes the door softly behind him and I sit in my bed stewing and trying to decide if I should go to the Water Druid or try to fall asleep, but thanks to Liam's words, sleep seems impossible now.