Finally, Ever shakes her head.
“Ten, take me out of here. Please.”
Finally, something I’m happy to do. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and head right for the doors, ignoring everyone behind us.
As soon as we’re sheltered, I follow the passageways and corridors through to the Chamber apartments and my old residence.
Rigel will have got my mother back by now.
Ever doesn’t say a word, but she visibly sags, her whole body deflating as soon as the door to the apartment is open.
Rigel hurries himself from the sitting room but doesn’t pursue us as we disappear.
“What do you need?” I ask. I’d normally know. I’d feel it. I’d hear it, but watching her now, I’m a little lost.
She tilts her head up to me, the colour all but drained from her eyes. “A bath. A scolding hot bath. I think I’m still cold from all the ice.”
A bath. I crack a smile, my mind unable to think of the mundane and normal activity without picturing Ever, naked, dripping wet, and all mine.
“I mean it, Ten. I want to wash today off my skin. I want something normal. And then I want to go to bed, knowing that nobody is going to try and kill the people—” she stops.
“Nobody is going to kill you,” I remind her. Fenix and the Usher are dead, and Kamari and Rowan are in custody.
“I just left them.” Her eyes slide away from me. I know she’s talking about her family and friends outside. “They’re all out there still. We need to make sure—” her voice trembles, and I know this will haunt us. That fear of what’s happened, not old enough to be anywhere other than just beneath the surface.
I bend to steal a kiss from her. “They will be safe. But, if you want them here?”
“Yes! Please, Ten. I shouldn’t have just left like that. But the Maker, she made me so mad, I had to leave.”
“They’ll understand.”
“Lyle! After I pleaded with her to come with us, I have to explain,” she cries, and her eyes sparkle for all the wrong reasons as the tears swell.
“Ever, it’s okay. Everyone’s safe. You’re safe.”
We both cling to each other, the desperation and need for that reassurance getting the better of both of us, eating at us from the inside. But that pull I’ve always felt for Ever is there, even without magic, wrapping around us, binding us together.
Just a few hours ago, she was dead, and I bartered with everything in me to get her back.
And I have.
“Ahem, forgive me, Master Ciro. I heard Miss Hart’s plea for the company of Lyle and her friends.”
“Yes, thank you, Rigel.” I reluctantly let go of Ever, but keep physical contact with her. “Could you get a message to Calix Aster? He should be with our friends.”
“I’ll see to it, Master. Your mother has retired for the night, but I am happy to fix you food or refreshments. It is late, but I am happy to oblige.”
“A bath. Miss Hart would like a bath drawn. We’ll happily have breakfast tomorrow morning. If there’s anything else we need, we’ll see to it ourselves.”
“But—”
“Please, Rigel.” I nod to him. On any other day, I’d let him take over. But tonight isn’t any other night.
He gives a visible shake, as if he’d rather not comply, but then disappears.
“Come on. I can make you a cup of hot tea while we let Rigel do his thing. Everyone will be here, safe, when you get out of that bath.”
“I love you. I can’t remember the last time I said that to you, but I need you to know that. Not just for your sacrifice, but for everything you’ve had to do. For me.”
