“Then treat them when they get back,” I suggested, an edge to my voice I couldn’t suppress.
Her features softened. “Some of them won’t make it that far. I’ve done this before, Little Sister. My mana might not be strong, but I’m light on my feet, and the soldiers will be there anyway. I’ll just be bandaging people up and getting them ready for transport.”
“How do you know there was an attack?” Draven asked sharply.
“I was bringing salves to the infirmary, and Eryx told me. Oh, speaking of which, he’d also like to see you in the war room.”
That did nothing for the ice pooling low in my gut, but Draven only sighed.
“You couldn’t have led with that?” he gritted out.
She gave him a smile that was all false sweetness. “Errand boy isn’t really my thing. Besides, he was still getting patched up, so I’m sure you can just…” She made a shooing motion with her hand. “Frostdance on over there before he even arrives.”
I might have snorted if I wasn’t still trying to calm the rapid beating in my chest.
Draven massaged the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “It’s called icewalking.”
My sister made a placating face. “Sure it is.”
He let out a long-suffering sigh, then turned his attention to me. “I’ll be back shortly. Don’t let Batty out before I get back.”
It was an unnecessary reminder, but one he needed to give, so I just gave him a dip of my chin, trying to force the smile I didn’t quite feel.
She has done this before. Trying as she is, I doubt even a rabid Korythid could take down your sister. I’m convinced she’s half frostbeast herself.
This time, I did let out a small laugh, or at least an echo of one.
Wynnie narrowed her eyes. “It’s rude to mindspeak in front of others.”
“Is there nothing you don’t share with your sister?” Draven demanded, slipping his boots on.
“Nothing at all,” Wynnie assured him with a vicious smile, leaving no doubt of her meaning.
I couldn’t strictly deny it, so I said nothing.
He left without commenting on that, sending me another wave of reassurance through the bond that I couldn’t quite feel in my soul.
Once the door shut behind him, Wynnie’s expression turned more sincere, lips pursed in concern. “I wanted to check on you before I left, but I’ve got to get going if I want to catch the soldiers and bully them into letting me come. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes, all patched up now by the Archmage’s array of quirky crystals,” I assured her in a voice that was smaller than I wanted it to be.
She took my hand in hers, giving me a small answering smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Quirky is the word for everything about him,” she tried to joke, squeezing my hand in a goodbye.
I gripped her hand firmly, not ready to let her go yet. “Wait. I know you want to help, but you can do plenty of good here,” I tried one more time.
The corners of her eyes pinched, and she shook her head. “Everly… last time, at Thistlerun, I was trapped in a goddess-damned closet while everyone under my care died screaming.” She swallowed back the thickness that had crept into her voice. “My husband waseatenright in front of me, and I did nothing.”
“That wasn’t your fault,” I told her earnestly.
She took a breath, squaring her shoulders. “Maybe not… but I can’t do nothing again. Not when there’s something I can do to help.”
I wanted so, so badly to argue with her, but didn’t I know that feeling well? There was nothing in the world worse than feeling useless while the people around you were in danger.
Slowly, I nodded, but I still didn’t release her hand. Instead, I reached for my nightstand where my dagger rested in its thigh sheath.
“Take this, then, please,” I held it out toward her.
