Page 35 of Mirror of Vanity

“Better,” he admitted with a hint of surprise. “The pain is already starting to fade.”

I nodded in relief. “Good. I’ll apply the next two ointments, then figure out our next steps.”

I finished applying the Lunar Luminance and turned my attention to the glass bottle filled with shimmering pink liquid. The Dawn’s Delight ointment reminded me of something I might find in a whimsical apothecary. As I removed the stopper, a delicate floral scent filled the air, soft rose petals and soothing chamomile. The aroma was different from the crisp, invigorating scent of the Lunar Luminance but no less enchanting.

I soaked a fresh cloth with the pink liquid and gently applied it to Justice’s superficial wounds. To my relief, he didn’t wince or show any signs of discomfort. Instead, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his features.

“This one feels different,” he remarked. “It’s cool and soothing, like a balm.”

I smiled, pleased to see him experiencing some relief. “The servant said it’s good for surface wounds and can help reduce scarring.”

Justice chuckled softly, a rare sound that warmed my heart. “As if I need to worry about scars.”

I rolled my eyes playfully, appreciating the moment of levity. “Well, maybe it’s a nice bonus, then.”

As I continued to apply the Dawn’s Delight, I marveled at the way the pink liquid seemed to shimmer and dance on Justice’s skin, as if imbued with a touch of magic.

Justice’s gaze met mine. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect the Unseelie to have something like this. It’s almost as if…”

“Our worlds aren’t so different, after all?” I finished, echoing his thoughts.

He nodded. At that moment, the divide between the Seelie and Unseelie courts seemed to blur, replaced by a shared sense of humanity and the universal need for healing.

I finished applying the Dawn’s Delight and set the cloth aside. “One more to go.” I reached for the final ointment, the rich purple Nocturne Nectar.

When I opened the purple bottle, an enchanting fragrance wafted into the air, a combination of rich and earthy scents. It reminded me of jasmine and dark violet, the aroma as sensual and calming as a luxurious bubble bath.

I held up the bottle. “It smells wonderful, but the servant said it’s supposed to be used at night. He mentioned it would still work during the daylight, though.”

The lines around Justice’s eyes and mouth tightened, his expression hardening. “Never trust the Unseelie. What smells wonderful is probably tainted.” His crisp, dry voice echoed with bitterness, a testament to the deep-rooted mistrust between our kinds.

Undeterred, I applied some of the ointment to the wet rag. “Are you ready to do this one more time?”

He shrugged, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion. “Just do it, please.” The weariness in his voice went beyond physical pain.

There was one more thing I could give him. One more way to ease his suffering.

With utmost care, I gently dabbed the deep scratches on his chest, my touch as light as a feather.

Justice tensed, and a sharp hiss escaped his lips.

I stopped immediately, my heart clenching with concern. “I’m sorry.”

He held up his hand. “It’s fine. It stings a little.”

I wasn’t sure what “sting” meant for a vampire, but I hoped these ointments would work their magic, erasing his pain and healing his cuts and bruises.

With each gentle touch, each whispered word of comfort, I poured my heart into healing not only his physical wounds but the invisible scars that ran deep within. After I finished, I placed the rag on the counter and knelt before him.

Slowly, deliberately, I moved my hair to the side, exposing the smooth skin of my throat. “There’s one more thing I can do for you,” I whispered.

Justice’s eyes darkened. A flicker of hunger and longing danged in their depths.

“You need blood.” My words were a gentle reminder of what we both knew was true.

He stiffened, his body going rigid as if I had struck him. “Sawyer, no.” I heard the fear in his voice. The fear that he wouldn’t be able to stop.

But I trusted him with every fiber of my being.

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