Page 192 of Lady of Starfire

“Not as time sensitive as a bath and food,” he countered, pulling the clothing from her hands and setting it on the bed.

“Are you implying that I smell?”

“Six days, Love,” he answered, dropping a kiss to the top of her head before steering her towards the bathing room. “Not to mention you are covered in dirt and debris from falling through the sky. We could only get you so clean.”

She gave a disgruntled sigh but pulled the tunic over her head as she moved, giving him all that bare skin to look at.

By the gods.

She glanced over her shoulder, giving him a coy smirk. “Come tell me what has happened these last few days while I bathe.”

* * *

“I still think you should have given her some warning we were coming,” Cethin muttered as he led the way through the Elshira Castle. Sorin and Scarlett had really only seen the catacombs of the place, Scarlett having no desire to explore the building.

Scarlett waved a hand dismissively. “She’ll be fine. Shelovesit when I just drop in.”

Sorin and Rayner exchanged a look. They’d only had one experience with the goddess, and it hadn’t exactly been a pleasant one.

“What does she do all day anyway?” Scarlett went on, her shadows drifting around her.

“Guards the mirror gate,” Cethin answered.

“Hmm,” was her only response.

“If the realm is locked, what would she need to guard?” Rayner asked.

“It is the main way into the realm,” Cethin said. “If someone is going to find a workaround, it would be there.”

“And?” Scarlett pressed, lifting a hand and watching snowflakes drift above her palm.

“And what?”

“She speaks to others through it.”

Cethin stopped mid-stride, turning to face her. “You cannot speak through the mirror gates.”

“We did,” she countered.

“But we were in the same realm.” His eyes narrowed as he studied his sister. “What do you know, Scarlett?”

“More than she should.”

They all turned to find Saylah at the end of the corridor. Everyone dropped to a knee.

Everyone except Scarlett, of course.

“Saylah,” Scarlett said tightly.

“If you are here, I assume you have found the lock,” Saylah said.

“Or we just came to chat,” Scarlett replied.

Saylah leveled her daughter with a silver glare before her gaze shifted to Cethin. “I will meet you all in the council room.”

She was gone amidst her shadows as everyone got to their feet.

“She would be more amenable if you at least tried, Scarlett,” Cethin chided.

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