I'm shaking, and it's hard to talk. "I don't know. Not badly, I don't think."

He embraces me, pulls me tight against his body. I can feel his heart beat frantically beneath his clothing. His muscles are tense and flexed under my hands. He is still ready for battle, but I can tell he's trying to calm himself.

When he steps away from me to address the brothers who remain, I realize I'm no longer shaking.

"I need to get her home." He turns to Asher. "You need to find out what Levi is thinking."

"It seems you've got the better end of this deal," Asher says. But he doesn't argue as Fen takes my hand and escorts me out.

***

Kara and Julian don't speak as they help me bathe and rub ointment into my bruises. When I'm in my nightgown I cross the hall to Fen's room and let myself in. He paces the room, bathed as well and dressed in fresh clothing.

When he sees me he crosses the room and wraps his arms around me. I fall into his touch. We speak no words. He carries me to bed and there, in the silence of night, he holds me. He holds me as I curse at the past and groan at the pain.

He holds me as I cry.

Chapter 11

DIGGING UP LIES

"Ace is brilliant. He's also lazy, or so he says."

—Fenris Vane

"I think it's time for you to visit your friends back home," Fen says during breakfast.

When I woke this morning, he had already left to hunt with Baron. I was half way through my meal when they joined me.

I feel a pang of shame at his words. It's been too long since I even thought of home, so immersed have I been in this new life. But the thought of seeing Es and Pete again raises my spirits and makes the aches and pains I have from being beat up last night more bearable. And when I fantasize about proper coffee, and internet, and all the trapping of modernity that I miss, I actually smile. Then I groan because my lip is split and my jaw is bright purple from a nasty bruise.

"You should ice that," Fen says.

"I have."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," he says. "I should have known it wasn't going to end well. I will kill Levi for this."

"As much as I'd love to cheer you on in that desire, wouldn't that cause some problems? Like internal war?"

"I am the Prince of War. They will not win against me. And not all the brothers will join Levi."

I sigh. "Let's just get through the war with the Fae first. Then we can deal with your brother. But Fen... "

He raises a scarred eyebrow at me, waiting.

"I'm not spending a month with that man. I won't." I shudder at the thought, but then I think of my mother, of her soul, of the suffering she would endure. "You have to help me. You have to help me keep my mother safe."

"You have my word," he says.

My head throbs with pain, and I sip at my juice, wishing it were something stronger. "I don't suppose you have asprin or something in this world?"

"No. But I'll have the healer mix you something for the pain. And there is always alcohol."

I nod my thanks and drain my cup, then stand. "When do we leave?"

"I have some things I must see to, but we can leave at sunset."

"Right. We can't go by day, can we?"

"Not easily," he says.

I'm so used to seeing him, all of them, out during the day here. It's easy to forget my own world isn't as hospitable.

After breakfast I head back to my quarters to take a bath and dress for the day. There's a hot cup of... something by my bed when I exit my bath, with a note from Fen. "Drink. Be well. Stay safe."

I sip it, wrinkle my nose, then drink as fast as the hot liquid will allow. It's vile, but it makes me feel better almost instantly. "Bless you, Fen," I whisper as my headache and body aches disappear. I might be imagining it, but even my bruises and cuts seem to be healing faster. This is way better than Tylenol!

I walk to the forge, and Kayla helps me with my sword.  We spend the entire day on it, making good progress. I should have my very first blade soon. She asks about what happened last night, and I give her the grim details.

She hugs me. "Levi will pay for this," she says. "I swear it."

I laugh, but inside I'm shaking. I fear my new friends will risk their lives and the lives of their people against another prince of hell. But I'm not sure what the answer is, because Levi is a threat to me. I cannot be left in his care. I'm not sure I would make it out alive.

***

My excitement at going home is growing, and when I return to the castle, I'm ready. There's a knock at my bedroom door, and I open it expecting Fen, but instead it's a man I do not recognize. He's handsome, with a sculpted face, dark hair that's a bit wayward, though short enough not to be too messy, and a dark shadow of hair on his jawline.

He bows. "It's an honor to officially meet you." A giant watch-like contraption wraps around his wrist. Sturdy bags and tools hang from his belt.

"You're Ace," I say.

He smiles. "How did you—"

"I was told you're quite the inventor."

"Ah, yes." He checks his watch gizmo. "I've come to fetch you. Well, actually, I came to fetch Fen, but he insists he cannot leave without you. Apparently, last night raised his hackles. Let me assure you, I voted against the whole debacle."

"Having someone under your protection physically assaulted and sexually violated does annoy some," I say coldly.