“Took you two long enough!” Theon teases, blood drips from the deep cut along his cheekbone. “How the hell did you not burn?”
Koen lets out a trembling groan, gripping his side. “Unsure.”
Theon runs his hands through his blood-filled hair, cackling as he slams his hand into Koen’s back. “Glad to see you not dead!”
Koen’s lips form a tight line, letting a grunt escape through his nose by his bruised and wounded body.
I glance towards Death in the distance, arms crossed as his head shakes. My shoulders relax at the sight of him. He should know I would never leave these men to die.
Even if it meant showing the Royals I wield dragons.
Hyreo and Pyreon both limp up to us, arms around one another as blood drips over their suits. Claw marks are slashed along their chests and arms.
“We would have died. Thank you.” Hyreo heaves, his raven waist-length hair filled with ash.
“And your damn Queen was going to allow it.” My arms cross.
My eyes trace up towards the hills to where the Royals are, noticing none are in sight. They have fled, leaving the chosen here to die.
“Of course they would leave.” My fingers curl into fist.
“We should leave before more come.” Dryden limps, and I catch sight of his bone through the open wound along his thigh. “And us Royals need to soak in the damn Vitaei.”
Theon gags at the sight of his bone and my eyes roll, pulling my lips firmly between my teeth so I don’t let this laugh escape. He quickly covers his mouth, shifting his body away from Dryden.
Kaine rushes to swoop his arm under Dryden’s, helping him towards his ice horse.
“Should Serene even return?” Kaine’s voice trembles. “What she did, even though she saved us, is treason in the eyes of the Royals.”
“I can handle it.” I throw my leg over my horse, letting my fingers twist in the fiery mane.
Death walks up to us, hopping on his ice horse. “I think you are in over your head. We should be leaving for the sea.”
“I can’t leave Florian! He is also the only one that knows where Alice is! I need to find her!” I hiss. “We need to help him! They are going to make him shift over and over again until one day he dies from it!”
The men freeze, eyes lingering on me as I glance at them all. They are weak, have broken bones, blood is splattered across their suits and skin. ButI need them. I need them to understand if we leave Florian, he will eventually die. And I cannot allow that.
I won’t allow that.
My eyes burn as I scream at the men. “Can’t you see that! I cannot leave him! I won’t!”
Koen adjusts his body on his horse, kicking the side of its icy body to trot beside me. “I stand by Serene on this one, I cannot leave my brother behind.”
Death deeply sighs, lifting his head upward to the sky. “Damn it. We must make it quick.”
I shift my horse, preparing her to rush out of this land. “We find Florian. We find the book of Azure and the stones.” I stare at them with desperation. “And then we can leave for the sea.”
I RUSH INTO MY ROOM, hoping to see Klayra there with the stones but instead, I find the book of Azure sitting along my freshly made sheets. A note, written in gold ink, sits on top of it. I flinch, my hand flying to my chest as I see Octavian in the corner of the room, arm resting on the bookshelf.
“I didn’t realize my face was that scary,” he scuffs, sliding his arm off of the shelf and walking towards the bed.
I hesitantly walk in, glancing behind the door to make sure no one else is here.
His nose scrunches as he inhales. “Smells like burnt flesh and blood. I suppose the last battle game was pretty violent.”
My eyes trickle down, catching the sight of my blood from a few of the darklings' long claws that scratched at my arms and legs. The ash completely covers my onyx boots. My hair is tangled with blood, sweat, and my raven color strands are replaced with a grey-ish hue.
“You have no idea.” My boots creak underfoot as I walk towards the bed.
