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Soleil squirmed in the chains as she struggled to keep her mouth shut. Ultimately, she failed and yelled, “The land of the mortals!” She dropped into the chains holding her and sobbed harder than before.
Tempest could feel the truth in Soleil’s words. She turned away to leave. “I’m sorry, Soleil. Truly, I am. I hope someday you can forgive me.”
Aiden placed his hands on Tempest’s shoulders as she teetered towards the wall. “You need to rest, Tempest.”
She shook him off. “We need to get Aloysius before he causes more trouble.”
“You are in no shape to face off with him. Rest first, fight later.”
Tempest tried to argue, but her vision went black before she could come up with a response.
Tempest awoke in a soft bed. It took her a moment to remember everything that had happened before she blacked out.
She recognized the walls lined with bookshelves that surrounded her. This was Aiden’s room in his palace under the mountain. Obsidian covered the arched ceiling, creating a luxurious glassy black dome above her.
Tempest rolled to her side and found Aiden bent over his desk, books and maps cluttering the surface in front of him. He looked up as Tempest stirred.
“You’re awake,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” she said, sitting up. “How long was I out?”
“A few hours,” he said. “You needed the rest.”
“We need to find Aloysius,” she said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. “He could be causing all sorts of trouble by now.”
“You’re in no condition to face him,” Aiden said. “You need to rest.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted. “Let’s go.”
Aiden walked over to the bed and sat down next to Tempest. He took her hand in his and stroked it gently. “You need to rest,” he repeated. “You are not in any condition to face Aloysius.”
“I’m fine,” she said again. “Let’s go.”
“No,” he said. “You need to rest. We’ll set off in the morning.”
He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Then he stood up and walked to the door. “I’ll have someone bring you some food,” he said. “Get some sleep.”
Tempest lay back in the bed and sighed. Aiden was right; she was in no condition to face Aloysius. But she had to try. She had to stop him before he caused more damage.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Aiden walked back into the room sometime later carrying a tray of dandelion shortbread cookies and ginger tea. He placed the tray on a table next to the bed and sat down on the bed.
Tempest stirred at the sweet smell of the warm cookies. A bright smile spread across her face as she saw Aiden gesture. “You remembered.”
Aiden brushed a lock of hair from Tempest’s face. “How could I ever forget? You have such an odd sense of taste.”
He leaned in closer, his lips inches from hers. “But that’s what I love about you,” he whispered.
He kissed her softly at first, but as their passion grew, their kisses became deeper and more desperate. Aiden ran his hands through her hair and down her back, pulling her closer as they kissed. Tempest ran her hands over his chest and around his waist as she returned his kisses.
Suddenly, Tempest could think of a few ways she could pass the time before morning came.
Chapter 25
Thestreetswereeerilyquiet as Tempest, Aiden, and Kirata made their way through Monstrap. It was as if the entire city was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
They’d left at first light, spiriting to the temple gate to travel to the land of the mortals and make their way to the emperor’s palace as quickly as possible. Tempest had almost forgotten how much quicker she could travel without a mortal tagging along.
