of fate, Ramin would survive that encounter. That Neraka’s Fire Hermessi wouldn’t perish. His son would replace him, then… and that meant one more enemy to add to our increasingly long list of elemental foes.
“Harper, baby… Can you hear me?” Caspian’s voice came through, like the sweetest music to my ears. I’m here, I wanted to say, my heart breaking for Ramin. I’m coming, my love.
Caspian
I held Harper close, her heartbeat drumming louder in my ears. We were both submerged in the hot water pool in the royal palace of Infernis. The heat seeped through my skin, my pulse racing as hope began to burn inside me.
“Come on, Harper,” I said, pulling us both back to the surface of the pool. I’d made a habit of holding us both down for as long as possible to make sure every single part of her body was warmed up. Zane was quick to remove the oxygen masks, while Fiona sat on the edge with baby Sophia in her arms.
“Any change?” she asked.
I nodded. “I think so. Her heartrate is picking up.”
“Attagirl.” Zane grinned with delight, gently touching Harper’s wet hair.
I’d been feeling her closer for the past hour or so. At first, I’d thought it was just my imagination, but it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t dreaming any of this. That Harper’s spirit was somewhere nearby, as she tried to make her way back to her body.
My very soul ached for her, and I prayed I’d see her open her eyes soon. Fiona reached out with one hand and gently pressed it against Harper’s face, while I settled her in a semi-seated position on the upper step of the hot water pool. Her lower body was still submerged, the bubbling spring foaming around her waist.
“Her temperature is okay. It’s not dropping anymore. On the contrary,” Fiona breathed.
“She’s coming back,” I managed and looked at Harper. “Come on, baby. I’m here, I’m waiting for you. Follow my voice, if you can. Please…”
Silence reigned supreme for the following five minutes, until her eyes snapped open, and I gasped. She sucked in a deep breath, after having been out cold for so long. Wheezing and panting, she nearly jumped out of the pool. I held her close, my arms wrapped tightly around her as she came to her senses.
“Harper… Are you okay?” Zane asked, his voice low and endearingly filled with concern.
“I… Yeah, I think so,” she murmured, looking into my eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I cannot describe how happy I am to see you awake again,” I replied and kissed her with all the love and longing I’d bottled up inside me. The sublime taste of her made my lips tingle. It filled my heart to the brim with nothing but joy and relief, to the point where it hurt. She welcomed me, her tongue slipping through. I deepened the kiss, and we held on to one another as if the end would come soon, and we’d never have a chance to feel each other like this ever again.
I covered her face with soft pecks, grateful to have her with me again. My life was empty and meaningless without her, and the worst part was that I’d actually contemplated what such an existence would be like, while waiting and praying for her to return.
“I’m so glad to feel this again,” she gasped, raising her hands and stretching her arms. She began to shiver, her teeth clattering, and I helped pull her back into the hot water. “Ugh… bit of a shock there.”
“You’ll be okay,” I replied. “You’re adjusting.”
“Where the heck have you been?” Fiona asked. “I mean, Ibrahim and Phoenix gave us the rundown after your surprise visit, but girl, there are gaps you need to fill for us!”
“I… Oh, man, have I got a story for you,” Harper mumbled.
Zane stilled, his eyes fixed on something across the pool hall. “Harper, what is that?”
She turned her head, her eyes widening. I followed her gaze and found myself frozen by a flurry of sharp chills. There was something here, something invisible and big and quiet. “That’s a ghoul,” Harper said.
I was the first to jump out of the pool and head straight for the creature, capturing its movements as the air rippled around it. I drew my sword, the blade screeching wet against the scabbard, determined to capture and kill the ghoul before it did any harm. We’d heard about them circling the fae sanctuaries, but I hadn’t expected to see one down