Page 168 of Ashes to Ashes

“Truth Stone damage can cause psychological fragmentation.” His hands shake as he offers the crystal. “If her memories start splintering, if she can’t distinguish between truth and trauma...” He swallows hard, unable to finish the sentence.

“I’ll know,” I promise, accepting the monitoring device. “And I’ll call for you. Both of you.”

Relief flashes across their faces—not because they get to be involved, but because they’ll know if she needs them.

“We’ll handle Amarantha,” Kieran says, but his gaze keeps drifting back to Ash’s pale face. “Father’s court won’t interfere with Wild Court healing protocols. I’ll stake my inheritance on it.”

“The Academy’s neutrality protections extend to medical emergencies,” Finnian adds, producing scrolls with hands that still tremble. “I can keep her tied up in legal precedent for daysif necessary. Ancient law is very clear about healing sanctuary rights.”

The rational part of me recognizes this for what it is—them using their specific skills to protect her when they can’t provide what she needs themselves.

But watching them struggle with their helplessness, seeing how desperately they want to help heal her, something fundamental settles in my chest.

She’s not just mine anymore. The words should hurt, but instead something else settles in my bones—recognition. She’s ours. All of ours. Different ways, same heart.

“Earth magic,” I say, voice rough with worry. “Wild magic that only I can channel right now.”

Kieran’s jaw tightens as he forces himself to step back, frost patterns spreading in agitated spirals around his feet. “But if she needs ice magic to balance the fire, if the heat becomes too much?—”

“You’ll be first on my list,” I promise, understanding the cost of him walking away when every instinct screams to stay.

Finnian lingers, amber eyes cataloging every detail of her condition like he’s memorizing them. “I’ll research Truth Stone recovery protocols. Emergency procedures if psychological barriers start failing.” His voice cracks slightly. “Just... don’t let her disappear into the trauma.”

“I won’t let her get lost in it,” I vow.

“When she’s stable,” Kieran says, pale eyes holding mine with unusual vulnerability, “we need to talk. All of us. About what comes next.”

I nod, understanding the weight behind his words. This isn’t just about individual healing anymore. It’s about figuring out how to protect someone who might need all of us.

“Go,” Finnian urges, though the word seems to cost him. “She needs you now.”

“And we’ll make sure no one follows,” Kieran adds, shadows already reaching toward Amarantha’s delegation with lethal intent. “No one will disturb the healing.”

As I stride toward the exit, carrying the most important thing in my world, I hear Kieran’s voice behind me—cold, princely, absolutely lethal. “Lady Amarantha, perhaps we should discuss the diplomatic implications of your... overreach.”

And Finnian, “I have several historical precedents regarding healing sanctuary violations that might interest your legal counsel.”

They’re not just buying me time—they’re choosing to stand guard while I do what they can’t. It should feel like victory.

Instead, it feels like the beginning of something I don’t have words for yet. Something that goes beyond individual claims or territorial instincts.

We’re not competitors anymore. We’re becoming something else entirely.

The ancient tree rises before us like a cathedral of living wood, its hollow opening to welcome us home. Moonlight streams through leaves that whisper secrets older than human civilization.

“Oh my stars and thorns!” comes a familiar voice, crackling with delight. “Look what the guardian dragged in!”

Whispen materializes in a swirl of golden light, doing barrel rolls through the air like he’s drunk on moonbeams. “Root-born returns to sacred spaces! Very dramatic! Very romantic! Much better than bleeding in Academy corridors!”

“Whispen,” Ash mutters weakly. “Not now.”

“Oh yes, very much now! Healing time requires proper ceremony!” He zooms around us in increasingly frantic circles. “Oh yes, very sacred, very intimate! Skin to skin contact for magical resonance! Guardian healing requires such delicious vulnerability! Isn’t biology wonderful?”

“Did he just give me medical instructions?” I ask.

“He gives everyone instructions,” Ash sighs. “Ignore him and he goes away.”

“I NEVER go away! Soul-bound, remember?” He does a little loop in the air. “Permanently attached like the most adorable magical parasite! Much better than herpes, much more helpful than therapy!”

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