Chapter 20

Steam swirled around the bathroom, fogging the mirror and creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Justice sat on the toilet, his towel remaining securely in place. His gaze fell upon the tray, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Do you trust him?" His voice was low and serious.

I paused, considering his question. It was true that Garrick had tricked us when we went through the portal, but he was a man torn apart by grief, desperate to save the woman he loved. Desperate men committed desperate acts.

"I don't know if I trust him completely," I admitted, my fingers tracing the edge of the tray. "But he needs us to save Maggie, and he wants to defeat Maci and her demons as much as we do."

"You have more faith than me," he grumbled.

I lifted the glass lid off the bottle, which reminded me of something I might find in a crystal shop. As I removed the stopper, the crisp scents of eucalyptus and mint wafted through the air, evoking memories of a luxurious spa. Beneath those invigorating notes, I detected a delicate bouquet of white lilies and gardenias. I marveled at how our seemingly different worlds could share such similar comforts.

"Garrick's servant said this is supposed to help with pain," I explained as I dampened the rag with the ointment.

Justice sighed miserably, his eyes filled with skepticism. "And you buy that crap?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You're such a pessimist."

"When it comes to the Unseelie, I have every reason to be," he countered.

I understood his reservations, especially after Garrick separated us while we were transported here.

My hand rested on his shoulder. "I know you have your doubts, but right now, we don't have many options. Let's give this a chance and see if it helps."

Justice's gaze met mine, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his guarded exterior. "I trust you, Sawyer. If you think this is the right move, I'll go along with it."

I smiled, touched by his faith in me. "Thank you. Now, take a deep breath."

He nodded and inhaled deeply. With gentle touches, I applied the ointment to his wounds. The soothing scent enveloped us both. As I worked, Justice exhaled and gradually relaxed under my hands, the tension in his muscles easing with each passing moment.

"How does that feel?" I whispered.

"Better," he admitted with a hint of surprise. "The pain is already starting to fade."

I nodded in relief. "Good. I'll apply the next two ointments, then figure out our next steps."

I finished applying the Lunar Luminance and turned my attention to the glass bottle filled with shimmering pink liquid. The Dawn's Delight ointment reminded me of something I might find in a whimsical apothecary. As I removed the stopper, a delicate floral scent filled the air, soft rose petals and soothing chamomile. The aroma was different from the crisp, invigorating scent of the Lunar Luminance but no less enchanting.

I soaked a fresh cloth with the pink liquid and gently applied it to Justice's superficial wounds. To my relief, he didn't wince or show any signs of discomfort. Instead, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his features.

"This one feels different," he remarked. "It's cool and soothing, like a balm."

I smiled, pleased to see him experiencing some relief. "The servant said it's good for surface wounds and can help reduce scarring."

Justice chuckled softly, a rare sound that warmed my heart. "As if I need to worry about scars."

I rolled my eyes playfully, appreciating the moment of levity. "Well, maybe it's a nice bonus, then."

As I continued to apply the Dawn's Delight, I marveled at the way the pink liquid seemed to shimmer and dance on Justice's skin, as if imbued with a touch of magic.

Justice's gaze met mine. "I have to admit, I didn't expect the Unseelie to have something like this. It's almost as if…"

"Our worlds aren't so different, after all?" I finished, echoing his thoughts.

He nodded. At that moment, the divide between the Seelie and Unseelie courts seemed to blur, replaced by a shared sense of humanity and the universal need for healing.

I finished applying the Dawn's Delight and set the cloth aside. "One more to go." I reached for the final ointment, the rich purple Nocturne Nectar.

When I opened the purple bottle, an enchanting fragrance wafted into the air, a combination of rich and earthy scents. It reminded me of jasmine and dark violet, the aroma as sensual and calming as a luxurious bubble bath.

I held up the bottle. "It smells wonderful, but the servant said it's supposed to be used at night. He mentioned it would still work during the daylight, though."

The lines around Justice's eyes and mouth tightened, his expression hardening. "Never trust the Unseelie. What smells wonderful is probably tainted." His crisp, dry voice echoed with bitterness, a testament to the deep-rooted mistrust between our kinds.

Undeterred, I applied some of the ointment to the wet rag. "Are you ready to do this one more time?"

He shrugged, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion. "Just do it, please." The weariness in his voice went beyond physical pain.

There was one more thing I could give him. One more way to ease his suffering.

With utmost care, I gently dabbed the deep scratches on his chest, my touch as light as a feather.

Justice tensed, and a sharp hiss escaped his lips.

I stopped immediately, my heart clenching with concern. "I'm sorry."

He held up his hand. "It's fine. It stings a little."

I wasn't sure what "sting" meant for a vampire, but I hoped these ointments would work their magic, erasing his pain and healing his cuts and bruises.

With each gentle touch, each whispered word of comfort, I poured my heart into healing not only his physical wounds but the invisible scars that ran deep within. After I finished, I placed the rag on the counter and knelt before him.

Slowly, deliberately, I moved my hair to the side, exposing the smooth skin of my throat. "There's one more thing I can do for you," I whispered.

Justice's eyes darkened. A flicker of hunger and longing danged in their depths.

"You need blood." My words were a gentle reminder of what we both knew was true.

He stiffened, his body going rigid as if I had struck him. "Sawyer, no." I heard the fear in his voice. The fear that he wouldn't be able to stop.

But I trusted him with every fiber of my being.

I slipped my hand around his neck, my fingers threading through his hair as I gently pulled him to my throat. "Please, drink."

This was the last thing I could offer him, the ultimate gift of life and love. I needed him more than he knew. With all my heart, I hoped he would accept it. Allow himself this moment of vulnerability and connection.

My breath quickened as Justice put his rugged hands on my arms. "Are you sure about this, Sawyer?" His warm, spicy breath caressed my skin like a soft melody, sending a delightful shiver through my body.

I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, exposing more of my flesh to him. "Yes, please drink," I whispered, my voice trembling with anticipation and desire.

For a moment, nothing happened except the thundering of my heart and the blood rushing through my veins. The air between us grew heavy with unspoken emotions, a silent acknowledgment of the profound trust and intimacy we shared.

To my relief and joy, Justice didn't refuse my gift.

As his lips brushed against my skin, a shiver ran down my spine. Not fear but pure, unadulterated anticipation. I held my breath, surrendering to the intimacy of the moment.

In that quiet bathroom, with the weight of the world momentarily lifted from our shoulders, a sense of peace washed over me. No matter what challenges lay ahead or how dark the path might become, I knew we would face it together, our love a guiding light in the shadows.

As Justice's fangs gently pierced my skin, a gasp of pleasure escaped my lips. The sensation of his mouth on my throat, the gentle pull of his lips as he drank from me, was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was a moment of pure connection, a physical manifestation of the love and trust we shared.

I had never told any man I loved him. The words always caught in my throat, held back by fear and uncertainty. Yet with Justice, the feeling was undeniable, a force that threatened to consume me.

Still, somehow, telling Justice how I felt about him seemed a million times harder than fighting a demon. The thought of baring my soul, of putting my heart on the line, was both exhilarating and terrifying. At that moment, with his body pressed against mine and his lips on my skin, I knew I couldn't hold back any longer.

"Justice," I rasped, my fingers tangling in his hair. But the three little words caught in my throat, refusing to be spoken.

If Damon were here, he'd call me a coward, but when had he ever whispered those words himself?

Justice pulled back, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that stole my breath. In their depths, I saw the love and adoration I felt for him, a mirror of my own soul.

Unable to speak, I did the only thing I could to show him how I felt. I slipped my hands around his neck and pulled him closer, capturing his lips in a searing kiss. The taste of my blood mingled with his unique flavor, a heady combination that set my senses ablaze.

He responded with hunger, pushing me back onto the floor and stretching out on top of me. His kiss devoured me as if he had been starving out in the wilds, and I was the only sustenance that could save him. My hands roamed over his back, feeling his muscles ripple beneath my touch.

As Justice planted kisses down my throat, I arched up, giving him everything he needed, everything I had to offer. Our bodies spoke the words our lips couldn't form, a language of passion and love that transcended speech.

The world around us faded away, the bathroom tiles cool against my back, the distant sounds of the castle muffled by the pounding of our hearts. Nothing else mattered but the feeling of Justice's skin against mine, the way our bodies moved in perfect harmony.

With each kiss, each caress, we sealed the unspoken vow between us, a promise of forever that needed no words. And as we lost ourselves in the depths of our love, I knew no matter what the future held, we would face it together, our souls forever entwined.

"Justice, Sawyer, are you in there?" An irritated male voice penetrated our special moment.

Justice pulled away. "We can never catch a break, can we?"

I gave him a smile and laughed. He stood and pulled me to my feet.

"Open the door." The knocking continued feverishly. If the person didn't stop, he'd punch a hole through the door.

Justice whipped it open. "Is there a problem?"

"Yes. The king needs to see you immediately. Our scouts have returned, and there is trouble in the Veil of Shadows. A shadow dragon has been spotted."