chapter Eighteen
The Escape
Each second felt like an eternity as he watched her body for any sign that his spell would work. The rise and fall of Evree's chest was so subtle, Eramus had to focus to be sure she was breathing. Blood seeped into her clothes, and he wondered if he should attempt the spell again. Perhaps he had not spoken the right incantation? What if it was too late to save her?
He placed his palms against her side and blue light encircled his hands, but before he could attempt the words, Evree's eyes flew open. She gasped, and her chest heaved under her ragged breath.
"Evree!" he shouted before leaning in close and cupping her face with his hands. "You're alive!"
"Rotten apples," she muttered, her voice hoarse. "Are you sure? Because I feel terrible."
Eramus chuckled and glanced at her wound. Though it was difficult to see through the lingering blood, her skin pinched together in a raised scar. His spell had healed her.
Tears flowed over his cheeks as he smiled down at her. "I didn't think my magic would work. I thought…"
A large lump took up residence inside his throat. He had almost lost her, and his frantic heart still hammered with fear. Evree's eyes glazed as she sat up. She threw her arms around his neck, and for several moments, he held her tight.
When her sobs calmed, she pressed a gentle kiss against his cheek and leaned close to his ear, whispering, "I love you, Eramus."
No words could describe the warmth that spread through his body. More tears trailed over his face as his happiness overwhelmed him. With Evree by his side, he felt as though he could face the world and the prejudice against him. How could Morzaun believe love was a weakness when it made Eramus stronger? The man was wrong. Love was worth fighting for.
Eramus pulled Evree away from him and brushed a piece of her golden hair from her face. "I love you, too." The words sent another wave of warmth surging through him. Now he was certain he could never leave Evree behind. Not knowing whether she was safe would kill him, and he suspected King Delran would stop at nothing to have his revenge. Eramus would ask Kieran for her hand, and then he would take her with him to Verascene. It was the only way he could protect her; he just hoped Kieran would understand.
Eramus pressed his forehead against hers. "Do you think you can stand? Walk? We need to get out of here."
"If it means getting far away from here, then I'll crawl if I have to."
"I would carry you before I allowed that," he said, taking her hands. "But I may need to fight off a few more mercenaries."
"I believe I can manage walking."
Eramus gently lifted her from the ground and took the sword from his scabbard. He offered it to Evree, who grimaced with hesitation. "Hold on to this," he said, placing it in her hands. "And stay close to me. We need to find Arnan and your father."
Her eyes rounded. "My…father? He came with you?"
Eramus nodded, her look of concern twisting his stomach. He'd left them for longer than he had planned, and who knew how many men had joined the fight. "Let's go. They may need my help."
Evree gripped one of his hands and held the sword with the other. The moment Eramus ripped open the cloth, smoke filled his lungs and burned his eyes. Several tents were ablaze near the edge of the clearing, and dozens of bodies scuffled past them. No one took any notice of them in their rush to escape the blackening air.
"Eramus, what's happening?" asked Evree between coughs.
He had no answer for her. Someone had set the camp on fire, and since it was part of their original plan, he suspected Arnan and Kieran were responsible. But where were they?
Eramus attempted to scout the area, but as flames consumed more tents, the smoke grew thicker. Soon, he couldn't see more than a few feet in front of him.
Evree's hand tensed as she coughed. He needed to get her out of there, away from the smoke. Arnan and Kieran would have to wait a little longer.
He tugged her forward, and Evree followed without hesitation. Eramus slowed his pace once they reached the edge of the forest. Shrouded in smoke, the dense underbrush caught his boots and sent him fumbling to the ground several times before they put enough distance between them and the camp that the air cleared.
Eramus guided her to the trunk of a pine tree. Evree dug her fingers into the bark and gasped. "My father," she said, panting. "Where is he? Where is Arnan?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. Getting you out of there was my priority. I'm going back to find them."
"You can't go back!" Evree grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. "It's too dangerous! The smoke…and the mercenaries… What if they attack you?"
Eramus placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "I can't just leave them. I have to go back. Your father and uncle can't fight them all on their own. I need you to stay here. Promise me you will."
She scowled. "And what? Sit here and worry about you? That's—"
