Tavrik froze, but after a beat, he nodded.Theo shot me one last lingering look before following him out.
The door shut with a soft click.
I stepped into the bathing chamber, pausing as tendrils of scented oils curled around me.It no longer smelled like him.No trace of oud, no lingering warmth of fire kissing the air.The absence struck sharp and deep.
It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did.Heavens, it mattered more than I could bear to admit.
Steam billowed up in thick clouds as I submerged my entire body into the scalding water.I hissed as the burn crawled across my rapidly reddening skin.I welcomed the pain, letting the fierce heat strip away the torment clinging to me.
I pressed my head back against the rim, staring at the ceiling.I refused to close my eyes because every time I did, his face materialised in the darkness.
His disappointment.His fury.
Zaheera’s warning about my mother echoed in my ears, a persistent whisper of dread.
She needed me.More than ever.
Yet here I sat, trapped in this cursed place.Tangled in a game I never wanted to play.
I climbed out the bath, water dripping down my limbs as I reached for the linen wrap.I fumbled, barely managing to clutch it around my damp skin as I padded across the cold floor.
Mira had already set out clothes for me, folded with meticulous precision, but wasn’t there herself.Relief washed over me, the last thing I wanted was to force my features into a mask of composure while she fussed over me.
I dressed quickly.The garments bunched awkwardly at the waist where Mira would have normally tied them for me.My thoughts churned like turbulent waters, and my feet carried me to Theo’s door of their own accord.
I rapped my knuckles against the wood in three sharp taps.
A second later, the door creaked open.Theo’s face appeared in the gap, eyes heavy-lidded but brightening at the sight of me.
“No Jinn in my bed, if that’s what you’re checking for.”
I shouldered past him, neck craning as I scanned every shadow and corner for unexpected company.Satisfied, I shut the door softly behind me.
I perched on the edge of his mattress, hands curled in my lap.My fingers twisting and untwisting as I tried to form words that were too heavy for my mouth.
Theo settled beside me, his usual teasing demeanour replaced by quiet concern.His brows drew together as he searched my face.
“What’s wrong?”
The lump in my throat was like swallowing broken glass.
“Imissher, Theo.”
His expression softened.He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, gripping firmly as he pulled me into his warmth.I nestled against him, his steady heartbeat thrumming against my cheek.
“I just wish I knew if she was okay,” I choked out.“I would die if something happened to her.She’s all alone, Theo.”
I searched his eyes, desperate for some kind of reassurance, but only found a reflection of my own sorrow.He didn’t offer hollow promises.Instead, he held me close, threading his fingers through my damp hair.Tears spilled hot and fast down my cheeks, soaking into his shirt.
He became my shelter, letting me break against him without trying to piece me back together.
There were no words that could get rid of the ache in my chest, but Theo’s presence—his quiet comfort, was enough.
He spoke softly against my hair.“She loves you more than anything in this world.I know she’ll be there when we return.Safe and waiting with open arms and that smile that makes even the sourest of merchants crack a grin.”
His lips brushed the crown of my head, the gentle press guarding my heart like armour.
Theo, in an effort to lighten the mood, started reminiscing about all the times we had gotten in trouble with my mother.Laughing about the ridiculous punishments and scoldings we’d endured.
