Chapter 25

Kaan has his severe back wounds cauterized by Ignos to prevent infection. Alone with Raeve in the cooled hearth room, they share an intimate moment where she fiercely vows to wreak vengeance if he dies, then allows him to tend to her wounds before they give in to their desire for each other.

Kaan's bleeding back wounds are cauterized by the fire elemental Ignos, summoned through an incantation that causes Raeve to stiffen in reaction. Once the brothers retreat, Kaan compliments Raeve's beauty and expresses regret at not telling her enough over the past hundred phases. Raeve remains silent but then drops to her knees to bathe him with a cloth, initiating tenderness neither has shown before. When asked if he still wants them together, Kaan answers 'Always.' Raeve then makes a dark declaration: should he die, she will not grieve quietly but will wreck the world to avenge him, becoming a curse and devouring anyone who speaks against him. Kaan softly counters that revenge is the loneliest path, but Raeve claims she is a slow learner and that this is a cautionary tale to prevent him from throwing himself before danger meant for her. Kaan then reverses their roles, gently cleaning her face and neck while reminding her of her quick mastery of Bulder's language despite her earlier struggles. He brushes his lips against her temple. Raeve then argues she is not a fast learner by unhooking her cloak to reveal her bare breasts beneath a thin black shirt, guiding his hand to her waist and then higher. She admits his touch unravels her, yet she chooses to be vulnerable anyway. Kaan challenges her to tell him to stop, painting his declarations along her jaw. She responds by grabbing his face and kissing him with overwhelming force.