The sea would decide which way, she realized, when something hard brushed her foot as the chair shifted in the violent waves—a shorter piece of rock scraping up her leg and ripping her trousers apart, sending swirls of blood around her from the wound she couldn’t yet feel.
Frelina pinched her eyelids shut when the stone loomed closer, not wishing to see how it would break her apart, and her lungs began twitching, the need to pull air in trying to force her to draw a breath.
She’d almost lost the battle against pulling water down her throat when a hand—one she’d recognize anywhere—gripped her arm, and her tear-filled eyes flew open to Raine’s wild hazel ones.
She wanted to send a thank-you into his mind, but Raine’s hissedSave your energyhad her think better of it, and as he used his blade to cut her free—so cautiously, deliriousness set in—she couldn’t do anything other than keep her eyes on his.
Her chest shook violently when he finally got her loose, and he snarled againDon’t you fucking dareas her mouth opened to draw a breath. More tears flooded her eyes as she fought the need for air, and as she started shaking her head, he pressed a hand over her opening lips, tucked her back against his body, and started kicking.
The world around her was a blur as Raine pushed them to what she hoped was the surface, and when they finally broke through into the biting air and Raine dropped his hand from her face, she sucked in so much of the salty breeze that it stung her throat. But Frelina didn’t care as she continued filling herlungs, savoring the harsh breaths wafting over her from the male swimming behind her with one arm wrapped around her chest as he dragged them to the cliff.
It wasn’t until they were out of the water, safely at the bottom of one of the dark cliffs that those Fae had conjured from the depths of the sea, that she realized.
“The ship!” she cried, her voice as rough as the rocks littering the wet cliff they sat upon.
Raine didn’t say anything as he pulled her to him, winding an arm over her shoulders as they both stared at the ship growing smaller and smaller, following their friends who’d raced toward Vastala.
A burning started behind Frelina’s eyes as she watched the Ellow flag sway in the wind—the broken heart that was Loche’s crest, seemingly mirroring the one beating half-heartedly inside her body.
There was no way she and Raine would be able to catch up.
There was no way Havlands’ soldiers would be kept alive.
Frecco.
Frelina quelched a sob at the image of her friend’s broken body, the planks beneath him coated with dark blood.
He’d died for her. And now? She couldn’t even give him a proper goodbye. There would be no hero’s send-off. There would be no final words. There would be no touch to ensure his soul remained ever living in her heart.
He knew.Raine shifted her, pulling her wet body across his lap so he could look into her eyes.He knew he’d die, and he did it anyway. He was a good male. Don’t ruin his memory with guilt—he wouldn’t want that.
Frelina opened her mouth on a silent scream as she shook her head.
It was so fucking unfair. All of this! So many useless deaths.
She couldn’t stand it.
Sunshine.Raine spoke softly into her mind.Every soldier had a choice. Every man and woman and race is doing this for Havlands. Sure, it’s fucking awful, but if we’re going to take those fuckers down—and we will, they won’t get away with this, I can promise you that much—there will be losses. Ones that will hurt for years and years. But Frecco? He died for something he believed in so much that there was no fear in him. His last memory? Happy. And it was all because of you.
The truth of his words snaked its way into her chest while settling in her mind, and Frelina stared into Raine’s eyes so long she was certain he’d look away.
Avert his gaze, mumble something, and push her off. Distance himself.
But there… there was something different. The change she’d already noted a few days ago still shone bright, and the Fae didn’t look away at all. Instead, he brought his hands to her cheeks, keeping her steady. Keeping her eyes on his, like he?—
You left them for me?It felt as if she didn’t even dare blink.
I did.Raine’s thumbs started caressing her skin.
You were going to kill those Fae leaders for me?
I would have.
Frelina took a trembling breath.
You love me?
Raine pressed his lips against hers.
