Page 77 of Lady of Ashes

“Of course I do,” Sorin answered.

“Then this is the fastest way to achieve such a thing,” Juliette continued. “Although it will also be the most uncomfortable. But if we are to save her Guardian’s life, it is the only way.”

“He is still alive. We are doing everything the High Witch instructs us to do,” Sorin argued. “Is making her suffer even more truly necessary? Has she not suffered enough at this point?”

Juliette ignored him completely, bending down so she was on eye-level with Scarlett.

“You did well, Sister,” she said softly with a sad smile. “The children are here. You protected the innocent. You saved them.”

“She is not in any shape to discuss that right now,” Sorin interrupted, trying to shield Scarlett from Juliette somehow. “Let her godsdamn recover a bit before we start involving her in any of that.”

The softness in Juliette’s eyes shifted to wickedness, as Death Incarnate stared down the Fire Prince. “You and Cassius,” she chided, “always so intent on shielding her from uncomfortable things.”

“I am shielding her from nothing,” Sorin bit back. “She was chained to the fucking ?oor watching Cassius die in front of her less than a day ago. You can give her a fucking minute before demanding more of her.”

“They certainly do like to coddle her, don’t they?” came a voice of silk and honey, and another snarl emanated from the Fae holding her.

“Get the fuck out,” Sorin ground out. “Both of you.”

“She is the Oracle, Prince,” Hazel reprimanded.

“I do not give a single fuck.”

There was a long-suffering sigh from Nuri before she said,“Relax, ?re prick, you’re going to need us shortly. I suggest we move to another room.”

“I gave her my word I would not take her from his side.”

“If you do not do this, you will be taking him from her,” Juliette retorted sharply.

Scarlett tried to say something, not wanting to be taken from Cassius, but searing pain erupted along her limbs, her veins, her very soul. She felt like she was being ripped apart. She tried to scream around the pain, but her throat was too dry. Nothing came out.

“Scarlett,” Sorin cried, his hold tightening on her again as she writhed in his lap.

She could feel pure terror.

That was separate from the pain. That was Sorin.

That was her bond with him.

“Scarlett, look at me. Look at me, Love,” Sorin said, his tone almost hysterical.

Panic was clawing its way along her spine, and she was pretty sure that was his, too, but it was nothing compared to the pain she was enduring.

She was no longer in his lap. He had moved her to the ?oor and was leaning over her, his hands on her cheeks, but she couldn’t focus on him. Her vision was blurred, the ache in her head was pounding, and the pain. Oh gods. It was as if a piece of her very being was being ripped away, and she knew. She knew deep down this was what Alaric had been referencing when he said you feel the loss of your Guardian on a soul-deep level.

Cassius was dying.

And there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn’t even be next to him when he crossed the Veil.

“Scarlett, keep your eyes open,” Sorin begged. “Please, Love.” Then there was nothing.

CHAPTER 19

SORIN

“What is happening to her?” Sorin demanded as Scarlett’s eyes ?uttered shut, fear and panic ?ooding through him. How had he ?nally gotten her back just to have her lying unconscious on the ?oor before him?

“She is weakening,” Juliette said simply. “Exactly as she needs to.”

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