Solyrian was climbing higher, its cheery rays at odds with his mood. Just like the chirping birds and swaying flowers made no sense. How was nature able to remain so oblivious?
“This is madness.” Mag was pacing, hands knotted at his nape. “We don’t even know if he’s alive.”
They both stared at Hedda, fast asleep in the grass and dirt beside them.
“He likely isn’t,” Brand admitted, dizzied by the prospect. “But we’d planned to find out what happened in Glynmor, and I would say this”—he gestured all around them—“is not a coincidence.”
Already, Hedda might never forgive him. If he refused to try on top of keeping her away, he’d be losing both of them.
“Is one male really worth the risk?”
An age-old question, if ever there was one.
Brand did laugh then, not the least amused. “I don’t know.”
When it was someone beloved in danger, the answer was almost always yes.
When it meant taking Lunara into a place like that, sacrificingherlife, he was suddenly much less sure.
Weeping arseholes.
His heart turned over, torn in too many different directions. That familiar, invisible fist came next, choking him, a weight settling on his chest.
Shite.
Mag’s hand landed on his back, rubbing in large, steady circles. “That’s it, slow your breaths. I know it’s fucked, but where’s this one coming from?”
Magnus had always been able to calm him, but it wasn’t working this time.
“I…” He bent, fingers digging into his thighs as he fought a wave of prickling nausea.
“Brand?”
“I think…” He couldn’t say the word—not even to himself. It would make it too real. Too terrible.
Maybe Mag would understand anyway.
“I think you were right.” Weeping Sisters, was it only yesterday he’d punched his brother for teasing him about it? “You ask if it’s worth it and all I can think isno. No, no, no, not in a million fucking years could losingherbe worth it. And yet…”
“It’s Faldir.” Mag nodded, cheeks puffed out with his sigh.
“I”ll have to rage,” Brand whispered.
“I thought that was a given. Has the witchling met the greater?”
Therein lied the problem. “No.”
Revealing that side of him, swaggering and shameless, completely unfiltered…
Mag barked a laugh, damn him. “I’m sorry. This is all fucking dark, but that there is a bonnie bright spot.”
Arsehole.
“I need you to prepare her.”So she doesn’t hie off into the hills, never to be seen again.“I don’t think she’s seen any of us that way.”
“Aye, I’ll handle it.” There was a mischief in his brother’s voice that worried Brand almost as much as raging in front of Lunara.
“Magnus—”
