The sorceress is already awake by the time he returns, staring into the fire with hard concentration. It's almost like she doesn't notice him. He goes to put down his weapon, and sits next to her. "Your highness?"
"I can't control the flames," she mumbles.
Kreiss grabs her wrist, and her attention. "Don't use your powers. Don't use Aether," he warns sharply. He probably should have explained to her earlier – she could have died if they found her too late, and he would have to carry even more regret for the rest of his life. Seeing her confusion, he gently lets go. "Here in The Otherworld, everything is powered by Krov. Aether is extremely scarce, which is just as well, because Krov corrodes anything that survives and channels Aether. If you try to use your powers, Krov will wound you from within and eventually kill you."
