Chapter 15
Nora sat in the tub with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms locked around them. Her eyes were ringed red, her lashes damp and splattered with tears.
Afet carefully scrubbed the ash off Nora's back and arms, making sure to be as gentle as possible. Her hands held Nora's dark hair back as she squeezed the sponge out and filled the tub with fresh water.
"Nora," she said when it was time to climb out of the tub.
Nora looked up as if she was realizing for the first time that someone was in the room with her.
"Stand up for me," Afet climbed to her feet and helped Nora.
Nora did as she was told. She moved her heavy limbs with great effort and dressed. Her hollow chest shook with pain that threatened to choke her if she tried to hold the tears back. The last time Nora had felt so broken and alone was the night before Lidia's funeral. But even then it was bearable with Hayden checking in one her every few minutes.
The pressure in her head was agonizing. Nora feared her head would split in half if she didn't find a way to ease the pain soon. Her soul fluttered in her body like a caged bird, restless and panicked. She bit down on her lips and sat as still as possible, letting Afet comb out her damp hair.
"I'm going to bring you some tea," Afet said once she finished. "Try and get some sleep."
Nora didn't bother looking up. She listened to the fey move around the room and fluff up the pillows before heading for the door.
Just as Afet reached the door, it opened to reveal a young maid holding the clothes Nora had been stripped out of in the morning.
"Should I have these washed?" She asked, looking at Afet.
"No," Nora said from the bed. "Leave them here."
"They're dirty," Afet looked over her shoulder.
"I said to leave them," Nora glared.
Afet's eyes widened from the sharpness in Nora's voice. She stared at the girl for a brief moment before quickly recovering and turning to the maid.
"Leave them by the bed," she said.
The maid nodded and walked into the room. Nora watched her place the clothes at the foot of her bed before turning on her heels and heading out.
"I'll get that tea for you," Afet reached for the door.
"I don't want tea," Nora said. "Please, just leave me alone for a few."
Afet hesitated.
"Please," Nora stood and started to unfold her blankets.
"As you wish," Afet sighed and stepped out of the room.
Nora waited until she couldn't hear the fey's footsteps anymore in the halls to rush over to the door and turn the lock. She grabbed her jeans off the bed where the maid had placed them and pulled out the gold ring.
Slipping it into her finger, Nora closed her eyes and imagined Hayden's room, just as he had taught her before she came back to the island. She needed to see him and make sure he was okay. Maybe it would make the pain go away to be in his arms and have him tell her he will never let her go.
Nora pictured the glass walls, the neatly made bed with dark sheets, the evergreens outside. She could almost feel the soft gray carpet beneath her feet as the air before her shimmered. Turning the ring around her finger, Nora opened her eyes and watched the portal appear. With one last look to make sure the door was locked, Nora held her breath and stepped forward. She felt the familiar sensation of gravity switching off for a few seconds before her feet touched solid ground and she appeared in Hayden's room.
