Cullen returning barely registered. He stood silently, torch in hand. She took him not immediately reporting any information to be a good sign that they still had time.
“Hold the torch to the lowest rung of the chain,” Eira instructed, trying not to tear her focus away too much. “Keep the fire there.”
He did as he was told.
When the chain below was red hot, she peeled her fingers away. The thin layer of ice that had coated them cracked and fell to the floor. But she didn’t release her magical hold; Taavin’s cuffs continued to emit a frosty haze.
“We’re going to do this on three.” Even as Eira spoke, Taavin was shifting onto his knees, holding out his hand. He knew what was coming. “You’ll press one side of the cuffs to the red-hot iron. Cullen, put the torch on the other side.”
“But his skin…”
“Do it.” Taavin was the one to speak. His mouth set in a hard line.
“On three, then.” Eira glanced at them both. They returned a nod. “One…” She said a silent prayer that this worked. It was the same principle they had used the night they’d escaped Ofok to break the chain that had been holding the ship…but this time she didn’t have Noelle to summon white-hot flames at a single point. “Two…”
They all sucked in a breath at the same time.
“Three,” Eira exhaled.
Taavin moved swiftly, pressing the cuffs to the red-hot iron. Cullen didn’t hesitate, holding the torch to the other side, the flames licking around the cuffs. Eira withdrew her magic fromthe metal, but kept it on Taavin’s skin, trying to keep it protected as much as she was able from the fire.
It only took a second before cracking and popping filled the air.
Eira looked to Taavin. “Pull!”
He yanked. She fortified his wrists with a ring of ice underneath the shackles, hoping they didn’t break. Cullen moved out of the way as Taavin reared back. The metal snapped into several pieces.
“Cullen, keep the torch at the ready.” Eira moved to Taavin, placing her hands on the backs of his, running her fingers up his forearms. “I’m going to try and warm you back up slowly. That way your skin doesn’t follow the metal’s lead.”
If she withdrew the cold at once, it’d be agony for him. Doing it slowly could potentially preserve the flesh.Hopefully. Eira couldn’t imagine Vi’s ire if she rendered her betrothed’s hands utterly useless.
“You’ve improved,” Taavin appraised thoughtfully. His voice was level, as if he weren’t in what was certainly immense pain as sensation stabbed down his forearms and wrists.
“It’s been a while since you last saw me. I’ve been busy.” Eira kept her focus. His skin was an ashen blue color. But the blood flow was returning. If she could freeze a person but keep them alive, then she could manage this. It was a control and deftness not unlike managing an icy ship.
“So it’d seem… You met her, trained with her, didn’t you?”
Eira’s eyes drew up to his at the mention of “her.” There wasn’t a need to ask who “she” was.Adela. “I did.”
“And? Is she everything you’d imagined?”
“More.” Eira didn’t bother lying. She’d thrown in her present, and her future, with the Pirate Queen. The world would know it soon enough. It might as well hear it in her words.
He chuckled, as if he already understood. “You’re going to be a force to be reckoned with, aren’t you?”
“I already am.” Eira held his stare for another breath and then withdrew her touch. She looked to Cullen. “Bring the torch a bit closer.”
Taavin could now move his fingers, and he curled and uncurled his hands into fists. The flesh was returning to an overall healthy color…minus angry, red rings around his wrists. Eira suspected that the skin there might be more damaged than she could heal at this point. But hopefully not beyond repair whenever he got into the care of a capable healer.
If only Alyss were here… The thought drew Eira to her feet and over to the window. She couldn’t see the wharf from this direction. But she could see the chaos unfolding in the city below. The ribbons of smoke and echoes of shouting as clashes began to break out.
“Your bride is bringing the Solaris armada and aid from Qwint. Adela is clearing a path to the wharf, helping take out other vessels.”
“You managed to solicit Adela’s help?” He sounded genuinely impressed.
“Temporarily.” Eira wanted to make it clear that the nature of Adela, and her relationship with Meru, hadn’t fundamentally changed. “The attack should begin soon in full force, if it hasn’t happened already.”
“Judging from the rumbling and explosions, I suspect it’s happened.” Taavin stood as well. He continued to rub his wrists, fingers trembling. Cullen stepped off into the main room to return the torch to its holder.
