Page 38 of Soul of Fire

“Gods, you’re so pale.” Branka’s face was a mask of worry. “Are you sure we can’t help?”

Jorgen groaned from the door. “Love, I beg you.”

“Maybe send for a healer.” Arik’s hand returned to my back, and blessed soothing heat eased the pain another fraction. “Just in case.”

Branka nodded as she stood. “I’ll fetch the servants, too. She’ll need rags and towels, and the bed will need to be stripped. And she’ll need to eat if she’s losing so much blood.”

“Thank you.” Arik’s eyes were on me as he said it, but Branka nodded anyway, offering me one last weak smile as she followed Jorgen out.

He stroked my hair again, and I suppressed a shiver.I know you’re still cold, Kjære. As soon as the bed is stripped, I’ll get you warm again, I promise.

Is the cold normal?Even mind to mind, talking was a challenge between the waves of pain.

I know little more than you, Kjære.Arik turned the hot water back on to add some more heat to the still-steaming tub, his voice apologetic.We’ll have to figure it out together.

I nodded again, closing my eyes against my knees as I weathered the storm raging in my body. It felt like Idunn’s claws were trying to scratch their way out of me, but she was suffering just as much as I was, her soul thrashing violently.

Baldur wrapped his mind around hers in an attempt to offer comfort.

We should shift,she suggested.My body will not bleed.

The relief would be temporary.Baldur’s voice was anxious.If it is her human body that bleeds, then it would begin again as soon as you shifted back.

Then we should stay in dragon form forever,Idunn whined.

I was half inclined to agree with her if it would end the torture.

You would break the tub,Baldur countered.

Worth it,she hissed.

More sounds of shuffling came from our room. I heard Branka’s voice ordering around servants and making demands as if she, rather than Arik’s mother, were the queen of Stormhold.

“You’re lucky to have her,” Arik murmured, his lips pressed to the top of my head. “She’s a good friend.”

I’m glad she’s with Jorgen.Speaking aloud was too difficult with my teeth clenched against the agony, and I felt wholly pathetic. Of course my cycle would decide to return after years of nothing at the most inconvenient time, when Arik was counting on me to save face before his parents and his father’s court and act like I wasn’t made of glass for once.

I don’t need you to act in any way, Kjære.I could hear the frown in Arik’s voice as he added some more hot water to the tub, drowning out the sound of the small army of servants Branka had commandeered to our room.And it’s not inconvenient. It’s natural. I’m guessing that’s why Baldur can’t heal you.

You know what I mean,I insisted, too focused on my pain to care about my unguarded thoughts. You’re the one having to deal with the misery of being in this place. The least I could do is not—

Kjære.Arik’s voice was firm as he tilted my chin up to meet his eyes. They were the usual stony gray, but a hint of silver at the edges of each iris told me Baldur was near the surface.I need you to believe me when I say I’d abandon this entire mission and fly you back to Ironholm right now, if that’s what you needed.

I blinked as my eyes burned, and his hard gaze softened.

I don’t care about my father or his court or the damned Book of Chaos right now.He swiped a tear that had escaped unbidden, brushing my cheek gently with his thumb.You are the only thing that matters. Let me takecare of you.

You did that last night. I’m not sure I’m up for another round.The joke came out weakly, but I caught the telltale twitch of lip that told me it had landed.

He pressed a gentle kiss to my lips.You’re a menace.

A knock at the door interrupted us, and I adjusted my arms over my breasts lest I scandalize a servant.

Arik growled protectively as Branka poked her head in.

“It’s just me, you overgrown watchdog.” She rolled her eyes as she entered the bathroom, her arms full of linens. She was fully dressed in her drage leathers as if ready for battle. “I have dry clothes and towels, and some rags for the bleeding. Ready to get out?”

“I can help her,” Arik insisted, standing to take the linens from Branka.