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My dead brother.
Tears well in my eyes as I fight to hold them back. I need to stop crying. I need to pull myself together and get back out there to help the lost travelers. They need my help, and I shouldn’t be hiding away in here crying over my brother who died nearly a year ago.
A soft knock on the door makes me jump, dragging my eyes away from the reflection in the mirror.
“Miss Adeena?” Revna’s soft voice travels through the door.
I inhale deeply, sucking in my trauma as I breathe. “Yes?” I manage to say barely above a whisper.
“Is there anything I can get for you?”
Revna knows I don’t need anything, but she has made a habit of knowing the exact moment I begin trying to pull myself together after a mental breakdown. It happens almost daily, but I do my best to hide it, especially from Dreyden. He already worries about me enough to drive any sane person crazy, and he has enough going on in Tartarus.
“No, thank you, Revna. I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“I’ve left a chocolate muffin on the table for you. You haven’t eaten all day and I thought you’d enjoy one of my muffins.”
I smile through wet eyes, looking down at my hands braced against the countertop. Revna is so thoughtful, and I don’t deserve her motherly comfort. She keeps me fed and tries her best to pick me back up after I’ve had a breakdown, but I always lock the door behind me so that no one can get in. Neither of us speaks of my unstable mental state, but I know she worries.
Pushing through my shaky voice, I say, “Thank you. I’ll be out soon.”
“Let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you, Miss Adeena.” I hear Revna’s hand slide from where it rested followed by the click over her short heels as she exits my bed chambers.
I sigh in relief as soon as I hear the door shut behind her, falling to the floor as my back slides down the cabinets behind me. A few deep breaths do me good as I hold my hands over my face, covering the outside world.
I can do this.
I can get up. I can pull myself together and get back out there.
I have to. These people need help, and I’m feeling a pull almost as strong as my mating bond to help them. It feels like it’s written in my destiny to protect these lost travelers… like they’remine.
Rising to my feet, I quickly find a soft towel to dip in water. A cold compress on my puffy eyes will help the swelling and redness, dissolving evidence of my mental breakdown. I’ll just need to avoid Dreyden for a little while, which will be next to impossible.
The ice-cold water takes my breath away as I press it to my face, making my teeth chatter for a few seconds before my body adjusts to the frigid towel. It feels nice against my skin, almost instantly reducing the swelling in my eyes.
I can’t wait for a time when I don’t cry my eyes out every day, where I can live free of my trauma and embrace my past. I know it builds character, and I know it makes me who I am, but it’s hard. Losing my entire family and village has been devastating to my mental health. I work through it one day at a time, and I know I’m making progress, but it’s slow progress.
Once I’m semi-satisfied with the relaxed state of my eyes, I leave the bathing chambers and make my way back outside to help the legion and travelers.
I just need to avoid Dreyden.
The sun is shining brightly, and it nearly blinds me as I step into the morning light. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the rays of sunlight assaulting my tired eyes, but eventually, I see the progress the legion has made since I’ve been inside.
They’re nearly done now, and the lost travelers are settling into their tents.
The field is covered in forest-green tents. We constructed more than we needed in anticipation of more travelers. I don’t know how many will show up, or why, but something tells me we’re in for something big.
Dreyden was extremely reluctant to set up extra tents. He was worried the travelers would feel too “at home” and wear out their welcome, but I like to be prepared. After a quick conversation earlier this morning, Dreyden agreed to over-preparation as opposed to under-preparation. I couldn’t help but smile as I won the disagreement.
Never in a million years did I think I would win an argument with the deadly high lord of Fire Court.
Yet, here I am, mated to the “deadly” man himself.
I make my way into the field, in search of something to do. There has to be at least one person who needs my help.
Izan is the first face I recognize, and I immediately turn away from him, heading in a completely different direction as I avoid eye contact. If he sees that I’ve been crying he’ll run straight to Dreyden. So, now I need to avoidtwopeople this morning.
I look behind me as I walk away from Izan to be sure he hasn’t seen me and isn’t following.
