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The murmurs from the women had settled some as Auntie Mo and Auntie Toru pulled up chairs to sit next to their sister. Killian felt a weight settle on his chest, and the group quieted.
Auntie Mo’s eyebrows pinched together as she wagged a piece of bread toward Auntie Shou. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving again.”
Auntie Shou’s face crinkled without fully smiling as she sipped her third mug of tea slowly. “Raela must awaken.”
Auntie Toru whimpered.
“Of course she must,” Auntie Mo said, “but you can’t go out there again, not just yet. You are all bones, and you stink. And what are you wearing?”
She speaks the truth.Jax contributed through the open window. Killian cast him a glare.It was a tough competition between her and the Shadowbeast. Rotting, moldy …
“Then I will bathe first, if only to spare our more sensitive guests.” Auntie Shou winked at Jax, who bristled.
“I’m coming with you when you leave.” Auntie Toru pouted and folded her arms much like Auntie Mo. “You cannot run around the castle alone. I’m coming.”
Auntie Shou closed her eyes. “If you must.”
“I’m coming too!” Auntie Mo leaned forward. “I won’t lose you again. And you will not leave again in such a way.”
Auntie Shou reached for her sister, clasping her hand. “I am sorry.”
Auntie Mo rubbed her eyes vigorously. “And I forgive you.” Glancing at the men, she nodded toward the couches. “Rest. You must be at your best to save our Raela. No reason to rush to death so tired.”
Killian stood, fatigue causing his muscles to shake, but all he could think about was Raela. Zalina couldn’t kill her, but … would she hurt her? And what about the others in the castle? What about his father? If the fairies had put them to sleep, too, they were sitting ducks under Zalina. Not really a threat, but so easy to dispatch. His knee started to bounce again. He needed to return. To save them all. To apologize to his father … to …
Auntie Shou came to stand beside him, taking his arm and pushing him back into a chair. “Rest, Killian. I will wake you soon, and we will go together. But you, even more than the others, need a moment to recoup. From what the future shows me, I see that Zalina will not hurt the others. Not yet. Not until you are there and can be threatened.”
Killian scoffed as he sat in the chair. “Not very reassuring, Shou.” Worries flooded his mind. He wouldn’t sleep. This was a waste of time.
And then his head lulled back with a thunk.
“Princeling,” a voice called, echoing and distant. “Princeling, it’s time to wake.”
Killian leaned forward on the chair, his mind suddenly whirling with thoughts of Raela and Zalina and the nightmarish battle of the slick forest. Auntie Shou stood beside him with a glass of water. “The time is now,” she murmured as she patted his shoulder. Moving toward the others, she woke them as well. She was no longer wearing her muddy blanket but looked nearly human in her dress, apron, and shoes.
Killian rubbed his eyes and straightened in his seat. Scratching his chest, he gasped as he faced off with a scowling Auntie Mo. She poked his chest. “Do you love our Raelametanashi?”
He raised a brow, but this answer was easy. “Yes.”
“Will you fight for her with your breath.”
“With yourlife, Mo,” Auntie Shou corrected from across the room.
“Will you fight for her with your life?” Auntie Mo repeated.
“Yes.”
“Will you be kind to her mistakes? Risk … Shourentameta’il, what iscorrent?”
“Embarrassment.”
Auntie Mo turned back to him. “Will you risk embarrassment for her?”
Killian pondered her words for only a moment. He loved Raela, he would do anything, even protect her from embarrassment or shame, even if protecting her caused others to judge him. “I will.”
Auntie Mo slowly eyed him up and down. Then she reached up. Tugging on his shirt, she pulled him low enough that she could pat his cheek. “Good. You may seek her hand.”
Killian fought off a wry smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”
