Thenhisvoice, low and pained. “Devora, darling, can you hear me?”
I let out a whimper and pried my eyes open. The world spun around me, the stars twirling above the mountain as rain pounded into the earth. Nox’s large body hovered over me and blocked the droplets from hitting my skin.
Without taking his eyes off me, he quickly said, “Everett, get me a pain serum. Now.”
A few moments later, another body appeared at my head. Nox took a glass vial from Everett and tore off the stopper, letting a warm yellow liquid ooze onto his hands. When he touched my left arm, I flinched and tried to pull away.
“I know it hurts, but this will help,” he pleaded. “Please, Devora. Let me take your pain away.”
I swallowed hard, then nodded with another whimper. Nox carefully reached for my left hand and kissed my trembling knuckles. “I’m here, darling. I’m here,” he whispered over and over as he began gently rubbing the healing oil on my arm.
I arched my back and let out another cry. It was too much. Every raindrop, every gust of wind, every brush of a cloak felt like daggers driving into my flesh.
“Do we have anything to help her sleep?” Nox urged.
“I—I don’t know. Let me look.” The image of Everett rifling through our bag of supplies blurred around the edges. Finally, he pulled something out. “This says it’s a sleeping draught.”
“Give it to me.” Nox took the bottle and brought it to my lips. “Here, Devora. Take this.”
I let my lips sag open, the taste of raindrops and my own tears seeping onto my tongue. The liquid he poured down my throat was warm. My mind immediately grew dim and foggy, and I was distantly aware that the potion was working, that I was being dragged into a peaceful oblivion.
If this pain was what waited for me, part of me hoped I wouldn’t wake up.
The world came backto me in pieces. First was the feel of my chest rising and falling with steady breaths, each exhale like a quiet burst of wind. Then the sensation of cloth spread over my legs. Fabric rustled against my inner thighs as I shifted, and rocks dug into my shoulder blades. Then warm hands were on my right side, light fingertips resting on my arm.
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself lying in a cave. A fire flickered in a small pit far on the other side, several logs now dwindling nearly to the ground. The sound of flames crackling made my shoulder jerk involuntarily from the memory.
I struggled to sit up, gingerly lifting myself with my right arm as I took in the sight of my left arm and leg encased in bandages. A strong herbal scent filled my nostrils. The burns had dulled to a slight throb instead of the excruciating pain from earlier, and I knew I had our supply of healing serums to thank for that.
Nox stirred at my side when I moved, but didn’t wake. He’d fallen asleep leaning against the cave wall with his hand balanced protectively on my uninjured arm. A wave of tenderness poured through me, making my chest ache.
I watched him, my eyes tracing the waves of his unruly hair, the strong jawline, the handsome face that appeared far younger in his sleep. Unburdened and restful. Until his nose twitched and his hand tightened around my arm, a crease appearing in his forehead. With an uneven breath, his eyes fluttered open, instantly finding mine in the dim light of the cave.
“Devora?” he croaked, leaning forward. “Here, let me help.”
His hand came to my back, carefully helping me move into a seated position. I grunted at the slight shift of my bandages against raw flesh, but it was tolerable. Nothing compared to before.
“How do you feel?” he asked. “Does it hurt?”
“A little, but it’s better. How long has it been?”
His shoulders dropped as he sagged back against the wall, but his hand never left me. “A few hours. We found this cave near themountain pass and set up for the night to let you heal. It’s a network of caves—the other two are down the tunnel.” He motioned toward a path beyond the dying fire.
I gazed down at my left arm, still scared of the phantom flames I saw when I closed my eyes.
“Did something happen, Devora?” he asked softly. “Before Arowyn and I appeared?”
“No. Nothing.” I shook my head, just as confused as I was hours ago. “Everett and I were waiting for you, that’s all. We didn’t see anybody, but maybe someone was hiding nearby and—and cast a spell, or something. I thought everything was going well, actually. We felt the mountain shake when the charm was set, but it was like the second I heard the explosion…” I shivered against the memory of the sudden all-consuming blaze. “Everythingburned.”
Nox closed his eyes, and his head dropped against the stone wall. The faint wrinkles around his forehead and mouth were more pronounced than ever, and the puffiness around his eyes…had he been crying?
I furrowed my brow. Something was wrong. Somethingbesidesmy stint as a human torch.
“Nox, what’s wrong?”
He slowly opened his eyes, and they took a second to focus on me, as if he were searching for something else. “Scarven was there. Down in the tunnels, when the explosive went off. I saw him just before Arowyn strode us out.”
My mouth fell open. “He wasthere? Why? But—wait, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? Did it kill him?” My mind raced, my injuries forgotten in the light of this victory. We’d neverdreamedScarven would actually be here for the shipment. If he’d been down there during the blast, I could only hope that meant he was gone for?—
