A small woman came up from behind me, ripping Damien’s shirt down the middle to examine his wound. It was particularly nasty, and a putrid stench clung to his skin.
“He was attacked,” I said, eyes not leaving his body. When she didn’t answer, I noticed her staring at me with an expression that showed exactly what she thought of my answer. “Oh. Uh, the man who wounded him said his blade was dipped in poison, but he didn’t tell me what.”
She nodded once, reaching into her satchel to grab a small blue elixir. It shimmered in the light, reminding me of a firefly dancing in the sky. Uncorking the top, she opened his mouth and poured the liquid down his throat. Damien swallowed slowly, his chest barely rising and falling.
I began to tell the woman I’d be right back, but Renai stormed in. Her armor was flecked with blood, the only sign she’d been in a fight with five people before coming in.
I held my hands up to stop her, but she pushed past me, only to drop to her knees by Damien’s bed. She studied his wounds, her own skin reaching a clammy pallor before she turned back to me.
“Ren, I tried to get him back here as quickly as possible. I’d only gotten down there when I saw—”
“Did the person who did this die?”
The simplicity of her comment confused me. I could’ve sworn she was gearing up to tear me apart.You failed me, Kalen. You didn’t keep him safe. You broke my heart, and I hate you. But she said none of that, only wanting to know if vengeance was served.
“Yes,” I said quickly.
She pursed her lips, turning back to Damien. “Good. That means I don’t have to go hunt someone down.”
I didn’t know what to say. That she’d become so bloodthirsty at the thought of him coming to harm stung—a pang of jealousy I knew I shouldn’t feel. But deep down, I knew she would be okay, despite whatever happened after this.
The healer tended to his wounds quickly, a curse slipping from her lips occasionally. Renai lingered near his side, watching her work warily.
“He’ll be okay,” the healer said, blowing out a breath. “The wound wasn’t too deep, despite its placement. As for the poison, recovery will take a bit. He will need extensive work to regain complete mobility in his arms. Simple, everyday tasks will be fine, but the more complex actions, such as fighting in a battle and carrying a sword, will take some time to master again.”
Renai nodded as the healer gave her instructions, most containing information about exercises to speed up his recovery. She’d hardly looked at me, and I wasn’t sure if that was because Damien was hurt and that was all she could focus on or if it had to do with the fight we’d had. I hated that I’d hurt her—hated myself even more—but the outcome would always be the same.
I could have loved her, but she would never have my whole heart.
Damien’s groan drew both of our attention. Renai rushed over, pressing a hand to his cheek. But then, as soon as she did, she remembered she had an audience. Her cheeks grew red, and she pulled back.
“Ren, you don’t have to be embarrassed—“
She scoffed. “I’m not. I’m just glad he’s alive, that’s all.”
I didn’t believe her, but I let it go. There was no point in needlessly arguing with her over something so small. I’d let her live in ignorance if she wanted to deny what was so clear to everyone else. It wasn’t my place to intervene.
At least, not anymore.
The ground shuddered beneath us, everyone tensing as they looked toward the main palace gates. Screams began ringing all around us, and my stomach dropped.
Renai and I looked at one another, deciding right then and there.
“Look after him,” Renai commanded the healer, pointing at Damien before running out of the tent. Her hand was already reaching for her blade on instinct. She was the picture of calm from the outside, but I knew her better than that.
She was terrified, the truth showing in her eyes. It was as if she had something she couldn’t stand to lose.
As we pushed through, we helped people inside the gate, commanding every guard to get them inside the palace. They didn’t hesitate, running toward the palace doors and swinging them open. Alric followed out shortly after, gripping children in his arms to carry them inside faster.
As we stumbled through the crowd, my blood ran cold.
Lachlan sat atop a massive beast, the kind of nightmares. I didn’t know what the monstrosity was. It looked like a fucked-up experiment. I wouldn’t have put it past him to create something new, no matter how many laws of nature it violated.
Sentries circled it, some bearing long spears. Their shots aimed to kill, but their weapons bounced off its skin effortlessly. The beast screeched, rearing on its hind legs and swiping out with massive talons, taking out three men in one go.
“Fuck,” I cursed, drawing my sword and stepping forward.
I was ready to charge when suddenly, glass vials smashed and broke on the ground before the great beast. Looking back, I noticed Arabella, Ciena, and Luka were standing on the balcony. They’d fashioned a miniature catapult that allowed them to shoot their concoctions from afar and with decent precision.
