Dorias’ expression darkened. “When I pressed him, he claimed he’d seen it on the battlefield years ago. Then he clammed up. Refused to say more.” He grabbed her fur cloak, wrapping it about her shoulders—a small, comforting gesture. “Once we’re in Kisra, we’ll go to the temple together and get answers.”
He pulled her into an embrace, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar, spicy scent.
“Will I see you tonight?” she asked, already dreading the distance.
He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “Do you really think I’d let you go that easily?”
Her breath caught.
He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, his thumb grazing the curve of her cheek with quiet possession. “Go check on Larth. Pack. Handle what you need to.” His voice dropped. “But tonight, you’re mine.”
Heat curled through her, blooming in her chest and rising to her cheeks.
The corner of Dorias’ mouth lifted in a smug smile, entirely pleased with the effect he had on her. His hand slid to her waist, fingers pressing just enough to remind her he meant every word.
She returned the smile, then turned and slipped out of the tent, pulse still thrumming from the promise she carried with her.
When Katell reachedthe infirmary’s tent flaps, the heavy scent of herbs and blood hit her first.
Larth lay facedown on a narrow cot, his broad frame still beneath a thin sheet. His breathing was shallow but steady. Adozen linen bandages crisscrossed his back, each streaked with dark crimson, while raw wounds peeked through patches of ointment. A pungent, medicinal tang clung to the air like smoke.
The floor around the cot was littered with a grim scattering of bloodstained bandages. Katell winced at the sight.
Tia sat at Larth’s side, her face ashen and lips pressed in a tight line. She held his hand in her lap, her thumb moving in slow, absent strokes across his knuckles as though willing him to feel her presence. Arnza and Pinaria stood nearby, speaking in hushed tones that faded as Katell stepped into the tent.
Pinaria noticed her first, relief blooming across her face. “Kat, you’re awake!”
The others turned as Katell approached. “How is he?” she asked.
“Legate Tyrrhenus forbade Thocero from using his Gift to heal him for three days,” Pinaria said, her tone sharp with resentment. “We helped Thocero clean the wounds and cover them with numbing salve. He stayed with Larth all night and only just stepped out to rest.”
Arnza’s face lit with a fierce sort of pride. “You should’ve seen it, Kat! Legate Tyrrhenus insisted one of his men hand out the punishment, and Dalmatius had no choice but to accept. They tied Larth to a post and made sure all the soldiers were there—they wanted to see him humiliated.” His eyes gleamed. “But Larth—he didn’t make a fucking sound. Bit onto the wooden block and refused to show them pain.”
It didn’t surprise her. Larth was one of the toughest soldiers she’d ever met.
“Until the end,” Pinaria added in a quiet voice.
Arnza’s jaw tensed. “Right. He did grunt a bit at the end. I mean… thirty lashes…”
The thought made Katell’s stomach churn. Dorias never should have allowed it. “Is there anything I can do?”
Tia let out a hiss through her teeth. “Like you haven’t done enough.”
Arnza’s mouth twisted into a scowl. “You seem to forget it was your drunken arse we’d gone to rescue in the first place.”
Tia straightened, eyes flaring. “I was perfectly fine. There was no need?—”
“Enough!” Pinaria snapped. She glared at them both, her usually calm features drawn tight. “What’s done is done.”
Tia’s gaze cut to Katell. “What about you? What’s your punishment?”
Katell drew in a slow breath. “I’m being sent away to Tiryns.” Her gaze moved between Arnza and Pinaria. “And you two are coming with me. You’d best start packing. We leave at first light.”
Pinaria’s brows lifted, surprise flashing across her face, but she gave a firm nod. Arnza gave a low whistle, raking a hand through his dark curls. It was clear Dorias hadn’t warned them.
“Romilda will take us to the furthest outpost with her Gift. From there, we ride.”
“Tiryns?” Arnza repeated, incredulous.
