Page 34 of Mirror of Vanity

With a final bow, they turned and left, closing the door behind them. I set the tray on the dresser next to the bathroom, then knocked gently, my heart fluttering.

“Justice, can I come in? Are you okay?” I called, trying to keep the worry from my voice.

For a brief moment, panic set in at the thought of him falling in the shower, his injuries getting the best of him. Before my imagination could run wild, the door opened, revealing a sight that stole my breath.

Justice stood before me, dressed only in a towel, the white fabric slung low on his hips. My cheeks heated like hot plates, a fierce blush spreading across my face.

“Come on in,” he invited.

His long, damp hair curled at the tips, the dark strands flaring over his wet shoulders. Droplets of water clung to his skin, tracing the contours of his muscles like glistening jewels. Even beaten and scratched, he was a damn god, his beauty both raw and ethereal.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry as I stepped into the bathroom. The steam from his shower still lingered in the air. His scent filled my senses, making my head spin with desire.

“Garrick sent a tray of ointments,” I managed to whisper. “I can apply them. Please sit on the toilet.”

Justice’s tired eyes met mine, and a flicker of amusement danced in their depths. “Thank you, Sawyer. For everything.”

I nodded, unable to find my voice, still drinking in the sight of him. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to close the distance between us. To feel his skin against mine, to lose myself in the depths of his embrace.

Someday, I would tell him the depth of my feelings for him. Today, I was still a coward.

He was here, and he was alive. That was all that mattered to me.

For now.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Steam swirled around the bathroom, fogging the mirror and creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Justice sat on the toilet, his towel remaining securely in place. His gaze fell upon the tray, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“Do you trust him?” His voice was low and serious.

I paused, considering his question. It was true that Garrick had tricked us when we went through the portal, but he was a man torn apart by grief, desperate to save the woman he loved. Desperate men committed desperate acts.

“I don’t know if I trust him completely,” I admitted, my fingers tracing the edge of the tray. “But he needs us to save Maggie, and he wants to defeat Maci and her demons as much as we do.”

“You have more faith than me,” he grumbled.

I lifted the glass lid off the bottle, which reminded me of something I might find in a crystal shop. As I removed the stopper, the crisp scents of eucalyptus and mint wafted through the air, evoking memories of a luxurious spa. Beneath those invigorating notes, I detected a delicate bouquet of white lilies and gardenias. I marveled at how our seemingly different worlds could share such similar comforts.

“Garrick’s servant said this is supposed to help with pain,” I explained as I dampened the rag with the ointment.

Justice sighed miserably, his eyes filled with skepticism. “And you buy that crap?”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re such a pessimist.”

“When it comes to the Unseelie, I have every reason to be,” he countered.

I understood his reservations, especially after Garrick separated us while we were transported here.

My hand rested on his shoulder. “I know you have your doubts, but right now, we don’t have many options. Let’s give this a chance and see if it helps.”

Justice’s gaze met mine, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his guarded exterior. “I trust you, Sawyer. If you think this is the right move, I’ll go along with it.”

I smiled, touched by his faith in me. “Thank you. Now, take a deep breath.”

He nodded and inhaled deeply. With gentle touches, I applied the ointment to his wounds. The soothing scent enveloped us both. As I worked, Justice exhaled and gradually relaxed under my hands, the tension in his muscles easing with each passing moment.

“How does that feel?” I whispered.

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