"Awake, alive, and damn grateful for both."
"But?" I said, sensing there was one.
"But," he added grimly, "I also fear it."
Given that he'd consumed a fire elemental—and survived, something no one had ever done—he had a right to be scared. We didn't know what the long-term effects were going to be—not even the most powerful witches in the country could tell us that.
Still, I said, "Why?"
"Because I can feel it in me, Risa. Its presence burns constantly at the back of my mind, and though I've won this battle, I'm not sure I've won the war. It could yet take me over."
I cupped a hand to his cheek. His skin burned under my fingertips. "You've made it this far. You can—and will—control it."
"Then you have more faith in my strength than I do," he muttered, and rose. "I better get back to the kitchen, before Ilianna cooks the hell out of those steaks. Do you want to eat in here, or out there?"
"Out there. I feel the need to get out and about."
He nodded. "Know that feeling. I'll give you a yell when they're ready."
I watched him walk out of the room, then carefully climbed out of bed. The room swung around me and my legs felt like water, and it was only a fierce determination that I would not fall that kept me upright. As Azriel had noted on numerous occasions, I could be a stubborn bitch when I wanted to be.
I walked a little unsteadily across to my bathroom, then twisted around in front of the mirror to check out my various injuries. My reflection revealed a myriad of half-healed wounds, although the one down my spine was by far the worst. Azriel was right—that one would scar.
No more low-backed evening dresses for me, I thought grimly. Especially if my aunt was around. She would not take kindly to discovering that I'd been in situations dangerous enough to get hurt this badly without calling her in.
Heat shimmered across my skin. I turned around as Azriel appeared near my bed. His gaze skimmed me, a critical inspection that nevertheless had delight skittering through me.
"You should not be up," he said eventually. "You look exhausted."