Page 63 of The Blood Crown

In that moment, Aurelia wondered if he’d drain himself dry trying to keep the female alive.

Her eyes snagged on Ven, standing at the edge of the room.

She knew what she’d be willing to do if she were in the same position. Even now . . .

Valea’s breathing had eased, her skin no longer tinged with violet and gray.

Embra claimed the worst was over, and now she just needed time to heal and rest. Heavy drapes had been found in one of the unused bedchambers, hauled and hung at Karro’s command, swallowing the usually bright space in darkness.

He sat in the chair beside the female, forearms braced on his thighs, still speckled with her blood. Concern drawing his dark brows together.

He’d refused to leave her side even for a moment, and Aurelia wondered if it was only a sense of duty that kept him there.

Feeling useless in the tight space, she backed into the greenhouse, the smell of blood and sulfur less pungent here.

She didn’t bother turning as warmth flooded the back of her neck—already knowing Ven had followed her. Nira detached from the doorframe, saving her from being alone with him.

Ruby eyes flicked to the darkened room beyond the greenhouse. “Who was the female?” Nira asked.

Was.

It wasn’t said with callousness—only a statement.

Even with Embra’s healing magick, Valea’s injury had been far gone. If she managed to survive, it would be a miracle.

“My sister—half-sister,” Ven amended, fatigue etched into his face.

Nira’s dark eyes flared, but the female held back whatever questions were on her tongue with a nod. “We realized something was amiss when you didn’t return. I sent Wraiths out to find you, but they discovered their magick useless once they were outside of our wards. So I sent more on foot—but by the time we found you . . .” she trailed off with another glance toward Valea’s sleeping form.

Ven’s mouth tugged into an exhausted smirk, “You worried.”

The dark female lifted her chin. “I just wanted to know if my title as Commander was permanent or temporary.” Niraanswered bluntly, her lips curving into a rare smile. “It’s good to have you back.” Ruby eyes slid to Aurelia. “Allof you.” She turned back to Ven. “I imagine you could use some rest and a meal.”

Ven’s shoulders fell as he offered a grateful smile, casting a glance over his shoulder toward Aurelia. “It seems things were in good hands.”

“You think just because the Commander was lost in the woods for a few weeks, I’d let this place go to shit?” Nira replied.

Ven chuckled, “Not for one moment.”

“Go—” Nira jerked her chin toward the North wing. “Rest. I can handle things a while longer.”

Ven laid a hand on her shoulder, the female patting it affectionately in return.

Aurelia couldn't help herself as she smiled at the interaction. So familiar. So . . . normal. And yet everything had changed.

They’d survived Mountveil. They’d escaped two princes of the Void and their demons. They’d finally made it back.

But nothing felt quite like she’d expected it to.

It seemed less complicated if I bore this burden alone.

Aurelia pushed through the glass doors of Embra’s tower, the low lilting melody of Karro's voice fading as she descended the steps into the corridor below.

“Aurelia—” Ven called after her.

Anger flared. She wasn’t ready to have this conversation—not yet. Not when she couldn't think straight around him.

Her head snapped up, finding the corridor filled with dark-haired Blood Folk.

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