Page 237 of Lady of Starfire

“I will make sure one is sent to her.”

“Thank you. For helping her.”

Scarlett nodded, finally letting herself settle back into Sorin on the sofa. Food and drinks were brought in, Azrael joining them after a time. Talwyn apparently refused to leave the griffin’s side.

They did not speak of the battle that had just happened. They did not speak of future plans. They did not speak of the Maraans or the seraphs. They just…took the moment to appreciate that they had all managed to survive yet again.

Scarlett had swiped a third pear tart from the tray when a water portal appeared. Conversation ceased, and a moment later, Briar and Ashtine stepped through. The princess smiled widely, her hand clasped tightly in Briar’s.

“The winds whispered of victory,” she lilted, gaze sweeping the room. Then her sky-blue eyes met Scarlett’s. “And they spoke of power being reborn.”

“A story for another time,” Scarlett replied with a soft smile from where she was nestled into Sorin’s side. Her feet were tucked under her, her boots and weapons discarded on the floor.

“The entirety of the Wind Court is secured?” Briar asked, leading Ashtine over to the chair Rayner had vacated for her. She lowered into it, hands coming up to rub her swollen belly.

“We believe so,” Sorin said. “Ermir and Sion were sending scouts. If any of Alaric’s forces remain in the Court, they will be dealt with swiftly.”

Briar nodded. “Do you plan to stay here for now?”

“If that is all right,” Scarlett said. “We need to regroup and recharge. Figure out our next moves.”

“There is plenty of room,” Ashtine said.

“I have around three hundred soldiers here as well,” Cethin said.

“I will speak with Sion,” Ashtine said. “We will make sure they are given quarters.”

“Thank you, your Highness.”

Light conversation started up again, and before she knew it, she found herself being jostled awake as Sorin lifted her from the sofa. Apparently she’d nodded off.

She lifted her head as she murmured, “Nuri?”

“They took her to a room to be tended to,” he answered. “Mordecai is keeping his bands on so he cannot Travel them. Nuri’s were removed so the Healers could work.”

“Not in cells, though, right?”

His eyes softened as he carried her down some stairs. “No, Love. Not in cells. They are being given a room near ours. There will be guards outside it, but no bars.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. She knew it was him that would have fought for that while she had slept.

“Let’s get cleaned up, and then you can sleep.”

He was lowering her to her feet so he could open their door when she said, “Sorin?”

He paused, glancing down at her. “Yeah, Love?”

“The fire wings were…”

Gods, she couldn’t even say what that had done to her. To see him with godsdamn wings of flame? The blood and blades. She didn’t want to know what kind of person that made her, but her blood heated just thinking about it.

A soft chuckle rumbled from him as he ushered her inside. “I know, Love. I felt exactly what you thought of those fire wings.”

She felt her cheeks go red, and she turned away from him, hiding her smirk. His dark laugh followed her into the bathing room, where she shut the door behind her.

Chapter42

Eliza

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