Page 152 of Heir of Illusion

“Drains him,” I whisper. The words scratch my throat on their way out and I immediately regret trying to speak again.

“Shhh.” He gently brushes his soft lips over mine. “No talking, remember? Just try to get some rest.”

I have every intention of staying awake, but somehow, my eyes drift shut as I slip away.

I wakeup gasping for air, my gaze flying around the room, searching for danger.

Strong hands grab my arms, and a deep voice whispers in my ear, “It’s ok, Angel. You’re alright.”

I find him in the darkness, sitting on the stool next to the bed.

“You’ve only been asleep for half an hour,” he whispers. “You should try to rest more.”

While you can.

He doesn’t need to say the last part. We both know it’s true.

The door creaks open, and Della appears at the top of the stairs, another steaming cup of tea in her hand.

“I thought you could use this,” she says as she makes her way down to us. “Darrow said to tell you he’s much better at removing pain than preventing it.”

I pray he’s telling the truth because I’m not sure how much more I can take.

She hands me the mug, and I take a sip, savoring the flavor on my tongue. The warm liquid coats my throat, and I can feel it working immediately.

“He mentioned it would start healing the internal damage right away.”

It does. The worst of the pain begins to ease. It still hurts, but it’s much more manageable now.

“I believe some friends of yours have arrived,” Della says to Thorne. “A man and a woman. They’re waiting for you upstairs.”

“Griffen and Fia,” he explains. “I summoned them earlier.”

My brows pinch together.

“Through the tattoo,” he explains, lifting his wrist to display the burning rose etched onto his skin. “It’s why everyone on my council has one made from the same enchanted ink.”

Distantly, I realize that’s how Griffen was able to summon him the night we were trapped in the alley. A frown pulls at my lips. I probably should have put that together earlier, but to be fair, I’ve had a lot on my mind.

“I can stay with her if you want to go say hello,” Della offers, glancing back and forth between us. “I believe they’ve already begun interrogating poor Nolan.”

Thorne shakes his head. “I’m not leaving her.”

It’s fine, I mouth.Go.

His gaze turns skeptical, and I roll my eyes. Eventually he relents, rising from his seat at my bedside and offering it to Della.

“Do not get out of this bed,” he orders as he pulls his gloves from his pocket and slips them on. “You need to rest.” His stern gaze lands on Della next. “Come get me if anything changes.”

She nods.

He disappears up the stairs, and Della and I are alone together for the first time since I said those awful things to her. Shame burns in my gut, and I wash it down with another gulp of tea.

“I added honey,” Della says, her tone shockingly gentle. “I remember you always refusing to drink your tea unless it was sickly sweet.”

I’ve thankfully outgrown that habit, but I can’t deny that it tastes delicious.

Thank you, I mouth.

---