I clutch Ruvan tighter and glare up at them. “I won’t let you harm him.”
“Riane, you know what’s going to happen.” Lavenzia’s eyes are wide with sorrow. “It’s a kindness to him. It’s what he’d want.”
“No.” I look down at Ruvan, smearing the blood on his cheek as I caress his face. “Wake up, please, fight this.”
“Floriane—” Ventos starts.
“I’ll give him more of my blood! I’ll give him what he needs!”
“There is nothing we can do to stop the progression of the curse.” Ventos shakes his head slowly. His eyes are shining. Have I ever seen him cry? I find I can’t bear the thought of it.
But his sorrow jars a thought. An unlikely, improbable possibility. “There is something we can do.”
“What?” Lavenzia shares a suspicious glance with Ventos.
“We have to take him to the chapel.” Neither of them move. “Please, if you’re going to kill him what does it matter if you do it here, or there. But at least we can try to save him!”
Ventos is the one to move.
Everything seems to happen slowly. Ventos scoops up Ruvan. We’re running to the castle. Winny is sprinting ahead as she usually does, scouting for any other enemies. Lavenzia is at the ready.
And I…I find myself focusing on the strangest of things.
Ruvan’s arm sways limply, in and out of my vision, blocked by Ventos’s body. I’m hyper focused on the hand that mere hours ago ran through my hair. Caressed my body. Brought me to the heights of passion that I had only ever imagined before him. His hair is stuck to his face, dirty. But there are patches of white, as bright as the moonlight that streaks through Loretta’s room as we reemerge.
Sounds are distant, drowned out by my racing heart and heaving breaths. Every gulp of air hurts. But that’s not why my eyes are burning.
Seeing him like this is an axe to my sternum. My ribs are split. Heart oozing out. Did he hear me when I said I was sorry? Did he know what I was apologizing for? Did he hear me try to tell him of my love? Did he understand?
Don’t go, my heart pleads with every beat,don’t go.There’s so much more left for us. We’re still in progress, still working, fighting, learning…bettering ourselves… Don’t go, Ruvan.
Wind and snow jolt me back to reality.
Lavenzia rests a hand on my shoulder. “Do you want help across?”
I fight the urge to tell her no. Now is not the time to be proud. Now is not the time to try and prove to myself or anyone else that I can get across this icy beam on my own. I did that earlier. All that matters now is Ruvan.
“Please,” I say.
She kneels in front of me, bending her arms. Like a child, I hop onto her back, arms over her shoulders, gripping my elbows. Lavenzia stands and sways slightly.
“Am I too heavy?” I know I’m not a light woman.
“I’ll be fine; I didn’t exactly get roughed up back there.” Lavenzia glances over her shoulder. “But if I topple, jump from me. Focus on saving yourself.”
“Don’t topple,” I say deadpan.
“Certainly going to try not to.” Lavenzia dashes across with the same grace I’ve always seen from her. It reaffirms my decision to rely on her help.
Just because Icando something alone, doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Even the greatest vampir lord needs a covenant. Even the strongest hunter needs brothers and sisters in arms.
There’s so much still I have left to learn from you… Don’t go.
We’re back in the castle. I jump from Lavenzia’s back and race ahead. Ventos is already down the stairs, Ruvan still in his grasp. They’re out of my sight. I can’t stand having Ruvan where I can’t see him. Like any second and he’ll disappear from my life forever.
I come to a skidding stop in the hall of blood lore.
Ruvan has been laid atop the altar underneath the statue of Solos. Ventos is nowhere to be seen, though I hear clamoring coming from the stairs leading to the main hall we occupy. He must’ve gone to get Quinn and Callos.
