Page 189 of Lady of Darkness

“I don’t hate you.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I know, Love, but you will.”

CHAPTER 48

SORIN

Sorin breathed in deep as his magic filled his veins, his soul. He had felt his body shift back to his Fae form the moment he’d crossed the border. The elongated canines and pointed ears and the Marks that had been glamoured now adorned his chest and arms. His senses had sharpened to their full Fae glory, and the tang of Scarlett’s blood, of her life force seeping from her, had sent him into a panic he could barely control. He clutched her to his chest as he stepped through that portal of flame and into his own rooms.

He was home.

“We are safe,” he whispered into Scarlett’s hair. “You are safe. It is going to be okay.”

He laid her gently on the plush red sofa in his sitting room, dropping to his knees beside her. He pushed hair back from her too pale face. She had shifted too and her own pointed ears peeked out from under her mass of silver hair. He lifted her tunic from her abdomen and sucked in a breath. His magic was holding the wound together, but the dagger had been another shirastone one. There were black lines spiderwebbing out from the wound. He sent another wave of heat through her trembling body.

“Scarlett!”

At the sound of the mortal prince’s voice, a growl ripped from Sorin that was savage and primal.

“Shit,” a male voice muttered. Cautiously he continued, “Sorin, my friend, it’s time to fill us in.”

Sorin looked up. Callan and his guards were standing across the room. Finn and Sloan had their swords drawn and were standing in front of Callan. Sorin’s own Second had his arms crossed against his broad chest, looking as menacing as ever.

“Where is Briar? I told you to have him here,” Sorin demanded.

“He is here,” another male said softly as he entered the room. Smoke and ashes swirled around his Third like the shadows swirled around Scarlett.

“Where the fuck is Beatrix?”

“I am here, Prince,” came an older voice. A female with dark hair streaked with gray swept into the room, her violet eyes full of concern and her black dress swishing along the floor.

“Prince?” Callan blurted.

Sorin snarled again, and Rayner stepped in front of the mortals. “I would highly suggest not saying another word right now.”

Sorin’s eyes were back on Scarlett as she drew in another rattling breath. “The Healer is here. She is here, Love.”

Beatrix was beside him a moment later. “Pull your magic back, Prince,” she murmured.

As he did, blood poured from the wound, and Scarlett’s entire body tensed in pain. Sorin smoothed his hand over her forehead, stroking her hair. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “Just a few more seconds.”

He could see the moment the Healer’s magic started to work. The tension in Scarlett’s face eased some, and her breathing became deeper. Steadier.

“This is deep,” Beatrix murmured. “She was stabbed with shirastone?”

“Yes. Twice,” Sorin replied, not looking at the Healer. Something was wrong. Scarlett’s eyes were changing color as he watched her.They weren’t going gold, though. Shadows weren’t swarming in them. They were turning silver. “Scarlett?”

“Where are we?” Her voice was cold and distant.

“We are at my home,” he answered.

“I’ve been to your apartment. This isn’t it.”

“My real home,” he said softly. “In the Fire Court. We crossed the border. We made it. You are safe.”

Those silver eyes narrowed on him. Amaré let out a soft coo from the perch he’d been resting on in the room. Sorin looked up, relieved to see the phoenix. “Go fetch Briar, Amaré. Quickly.”

The phoenix clicked its beak and was out the open window to carry out its orders. Scarlett was trying to sit up, and Sorin gently pressed her back, but she struggled against him. “Lay back, Love. Let Beatrix work.” She was slowly taking in the room, the elegance, the finery.

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