Page 62 of Up In Flames
“Well, for one thing, you're naked,” General Ranor said.
“General!” I cried and stretched a hand toward him. “We have to go to the fortress!”
“Ember!” Xaedren's roar echoed through the entry hall.
“Xae?” I started to shiver. It was all catching up to me. Oh, fuck. I had cheated on them. “Xaedren.” I started to sob, clutching at poor Lord Vexen.
“Shh,” Vexen said. “It's all right. They still love you. That will never change.”
I looked up and met his exotic stare. “I betrayed that love.”
“I don't think they'll see it like that, Ember.”
“Ember!” Xae yanked me out of Vexen's arms and clutched me close. “Oh, thank the Goddess. It's really you.”
My other lovers pressed around us—Ratharin, Keltyr, and Taroc. Seeing Taroc reminded me of taking Ara to his secret place. Our secret place. Fuck. Now, the Corrupter knew about it. I started to cry again.
“Take him upstairs,” General Ranor said. “I'll have some food sent up.”
“Thank you, General,” Rath said.
“Shh, I've got you, love,” Xae said just before he faded us upstairs.
I was still crying when we arrived in our suite.
“Easy now,” Xae said as he carried me to the couch. “You're safe. It's Xae. You're with me now.”
“Xae, I did horrible things,” I whispered.
“It's all right, Ember,” Rath said and laid his palm on my bare back.
“Why are you naked?” Keltyr asked.
“Shut up!” Taroc hissed.
“Oh,” Kel said hollowly. “Right. I guess you took the chance to escape when you had it.”
“I almost bonded with him,” I admitted.
“What?!” Xaedren growled.
“I'm so sorry!” I wailed.
“Goddess damn you, Xae!” Taroc took me from him. “Get him some clothes!”
While Xae, grumbling, went to fetch me some clothes, Taroc took his seat on the couch beside Rath. Keltyr settled on our right. All three of them curved in around me and laid their hands on me.
“It's all right,” Kel said. “You got away.”
“You're safe. That's all that matters,” Rath said.
“So, you didn't bond with him?” Xae demanded as he returned with some clothes.
“We'd feel it if he had,” Rath, ever the sane one, said. Then he kissed my cheek. “We know Death tricked you, Ember. We found your note in the hallway.”
“Uh, your friend Caleb disappeared at the same time,” Kel said. “Did Death hurt him? Taroc thought it was Caleb who tricked you somehow.” His tone went irritated as he added, “We spent a lot of time trying to track down Caleb.”
“Oh, fuck. Caleb,” I whispered. “He's still there. I left him behind. Just like I left Ara.”
