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She had to think.
Having the ghost give her instructions, then making sure Rez didn’t see his daughter, had affected her profoundly. So had seeing all the captives. They had no worth at all except the pleasure they would provide those who purchased them.
She dropped to sit on the cool tile floor. She slid her stilettos off, minding the pretty red bows on the back of each.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned her head against the wall.
She felt as though everything she’d experienced over the past two nights converged in this moment and that her life would never be the same again.
She was a blood rose and part of her would always be given to taking care of her vampire mate, whoever that proved to be.
Her thoughts turned to Rez and her eyes flooded with tears. She couldn’t believe how much she’d grown to care for him in such a short space of time. Love had come to her unexpectedly. She had no doubt that Rez was the one she wanted, no other mastyr would do. But he’d made it clear repeatedly he had nothing to give her.
Like Isobel had done, she covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
~ ~ ~
“She’s a woman.” Oregis levitated in the air. “Of course, she would be upset. I could use a drink myself. Got any thimbles around here?”
Rez had appropriate glasses for gremlins. He found one and poured him a scotch.
Oregis took his mini-tumbler, sipped, pursed his lips and groaned. “My favorite thing next to my wife’s honey-glide. I think it’s the best thing earthlings make.”
He could barely hear the gremlin. His entire being was tuned into the painful sobs coming from the bathroom. He grew very still. He didn’t even breathe.
“Why did you go into statue mode? She needs a release, is all. Sometimes females have to bellow.”
He ignored Oregis. There was something he needed to understand. Holly had been right with him until the very end, in the time-path. He wondered suddenly if she’d had a vision.
He broke his stillness and went to the door. He knocked gently. “Was it a vision, Holly?”
“No.” He heard her blow her nose. “I’m sorry. It was all the captives. I’ll be all right. Just … just give me a minute.”
“Okay.” He didn’t believe her. Not entirely, though she had every reason to be distraught over the nature of Underworld.
He was shaken himself.
He returned to the small table by the fireplace and this time poured himself a drink.
Oregis scratched one of his long, pointed ears. “I don’t know if I was much help.”
“What are you talking about? You saved our asses in there. I didn’t see the shifters coming. I was too focused on Cruce and seeing if Isobel was among the captives. No, you did good tonight.”
“Guess I did.” He lifted his small tumbler. “Here’s to me.”
Rez’s lips curved as he held up his own glass. “Here’s to you.”
He took a hefty swig. He didn’t know which was worse, though, seeing the depravity in the crystal-encased cavern or hearing his woman weep.
Sweet Goddess, did he just mentally think of Holly as his woman?
A few minutes later, she emerged and looked as lovely as ever. Her eyes were a little damp and she’d lost some of her make-up. Otherwise, her fae healing had no doubt eased what should have been a pink nose and red-rimmed eyes.
He set his glass down and went to her. He did the only thing that made sense. He took her in his arms and held her.
“Thank you for going out there with me. You have a lot of courage.”
“You do, Holly.” Oregis came around behind her. He made a circle with his thumb and forefinger then ran his other finger through it. To Rez’s mind, he pathed, She needs a good lay. That’ll make her feel better.
