Grasp the wraith’s claw against your neck,Darius ordered, his tone firm yet gentle.
I reached to do so and saw the creature’s startled glance.Before it could react, it began to glow.
Bright red emblazoned the wraith from its cruel hand to the rest of its gnarled body.I was finally free, and I jerked away, watching as the heat grew and soon engulfed the thing, burning it into a pile of ash.
I welcomed the heat, embracing Darius with all of my being.Free from the wraith and the others, too stunned to move as they watched their comrade burn, I hadn’t realized the flame had raced to engulf me as well.I felt Darius like a presence.He was a warm bath of fire licking my skin wherever he touched.
“It flames!It burns!”shouted one of the creatures and pointed at Darius.
They flocked to him now sitting against the tree, his exhaustion plain to see.
I sensed his strength ebbing and frantically looked around for something to use as a weapon.
“Kill it now,” one of them shrieked.
“No more waiting,” another agreed.
Shit.They would kill him.I could feel it.Without knowing how, I used my fear to create fireballs, and I threw them at the wraiths, killing two.The magic soon faded, and with remaining three wraiths on the attack, I searched for anything I could use as a weapon.Something I could count on besides magic fire.
I picked up several large rocks and called on my old softball days, pitching them with accuracy against the remaining enemy as I did my best to get closer to Darius.Unfortunately, I ran out of ammunition.
They were almost on me when the ground shook, taking me off my feet.I stared in astonishment as mountains of dirt spewed from the ground directly in front of the wraiths, cutting them off from advancing on me and Darius.
Water gushed over them, pouring right out of the air above their heads.The creatures screeched and cried for help, only to drown beneath mounds of dirt and cleansing water, smothering them in mud.
The earth swallowed the bodies whole then settled as if nothing had happened.
Still staring at the scene in disbelief, it took me a moment to gather my bearings.
What the heck had just happened?
“Up here!”
I followed the voice to see Marcus and Cadmus atop the rock wall where we’d driven off the road.The glare of car lights pierced the night.Between the lack of moonlight, the moon now hidden behind the clouds, and the forest around us, I had no idea how they’d found us way below the road.
I took no more time to wonder.Darius collapsed in a heap, and I rushed to his side.
I removed my jacket and placed it beneath his head.Stroking his bloodied hair, I hoped with all my might that he’d recover.He looked paler than before, his strength sapped from saving me.
Cadmus and Marcus appeared by my side, and in little time, we packed into their vehicle, heading home, where Cadmus assured me Darius would receive medical attention.
As I stared down at the head I held in my lap, I willed him to get well.I grasped one of his hands, holding tightly to the palm now cold against my skin.Darius and I had a lot to discuss, specifically appropriate and inappropriate times to discuss feelings.
You’re too arrogant.A monstrous royal prince.But I need you, so hurry up and get better, my fiery prince,I said mind-to-mind.
He didn’t answer, but he squeezed my hand, a flare of heat passing between us.
Suddenly exhausted, I closed my eyes with a small smile.Concussion or not, you can’t put me off forever, Darius Storm.
I’d swear I heard him chuckle in my mind before I drifted off to sleep, clutching his hand as if I’d never let go.
Chapter26
Darius
Iopened my eyes to find Cadmus staring down at me, concern darkening his eyes to black.
“Give me some room to breathe,” I grumbled, startling a chuckle out of my brother.
