His mouth falls open.
I murmur, “Yes, it’s rather inconvenient. But that’s not why I’m telling you. I need you to do me a favor, Caym.”
He huffs out, “Anything. You’re a friend and I know Alora would command it.”
An arrow whizzes by signaling the surge forward from King Euron’s small army.
I hold her closer to me, my heart knowing what’s about to happen might cleave me in two.
“Take her dagger. It’s tucked in her hand.”
Caym quickly does so and looks at me expectantly.
“Now what?” he calmly asks.
“You’ll need to slice my arm to get my blood on the blade.”
His face falls and stills as his eyes search mine.
“Do it, before you’re just as fucked as me.”
He quickly abides and his hand doesn’t falter as he knicks my arm.
I wince with the sting, though it isn’t very deep thankfully.
“I’m shocked you didn’t stick me harder with that. I’m sure I’d deserve it.” A false chuckle escapes my lips. I joke with him, trying to lighten his growing seriousness as he wraps the dagger in a handkerchief and tucks it into his vest.
“Kassiel,” he begins, “I don’t wish you to suffer more than you have. I can tell you’re going to try to be the hero. I beg you to just come with us, we’ll figure this out. For her sake, just come.”
Gravel fills my voice, almost enough for me to choke on, “I am doing this for her sake. You and Rune will do what you vowed to me. The goddess as our witness, you will make good on your promise.”
His head falls back in defeat and he shakes his head in disagreement.
“What will I tell her, Kassiel?”
I pause, looking over the woman in my arms as her blood begins to pool in my shirtsleeves. She’s too pale for my liking, presumably because of the ill treatment the last few days as well as the blood loss from the arrow.
I begin to move towards where Rune currently takes shelter, stopping along the large base of the tree that’s roots grow over some of the dilapidated wall ruins.
A loud shout from near the castle door grabs my attention. Orlin. He’s perched there at the exit with Euron, and they’re staring directly at me.
I bring Alora’s cheek to my lips and kiss the soft, delicate features of her face.
Her eyes flutter open. The adrenaline from her wound must be coursing through her veins.
“Now Caym.”
He grabs under my arms, and cradles Alora before I let go of her, allowing him to bear her weight.
“Kassiel!” King Euron’s voice booms across the courtyard. He’s halted the firing so far, but if I know him, he’s currently sending his best archers quietly until Caym and I are in better reach of their arrows.
“You must be moving, Caym, now!” I whisper shout at him, trying my best to not allow Orlin or Euron to hear.
Alora stirs, her eyes rolling around before her lids snap open.
She watches me and then looks to Caym, confusion etching in her skin when she realizes I’m no longer holding her.
My heart pounds in my chest as I watch her face twist with anguish.
