She brushed his cheek, and calm energy passed between them, softening the scowl on his face. Geon may be their enemy, but she wanted to help him. A part of her hoped it would ease her guilt over the deaths of his companions, and what stopping them had cost Cassiel.
Cassiel half lifted her, relieving the weight off her sprained ankle. He brought her to the boy who scrambled back.
“It’s all right,” she said, sinking to the ground next to him.
“What are you doing?” Geon asked cagily.
Dyna only smiled. She closed her eyes and laid her hands on his twisted limbs. A wave of heat unfurled in her chest as her Essence surged forth. The power traveled throughout her body in a steady stream, gathering, and taking from her own life. It coursed through her arms to her hands at her command.
A vivid green light enveloped Geon’s entire leg and forearm. She targeted the torn muscle and bones, and the broken pieces moved. He squeezed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth from the pain. Her body began trembling from the strain as Essence freely flowed from her and into this boy she didn’t know.
Heal, she ordered,restore. Slowly, the bones connected and fused. His torn skin and muscle stitched layer after layer until large pink scars formed. The light receded along with its warmth, leaving her cold and empty. Dyna slumped, completely exhausted.
“There, that’ll do,” she murmured. “Your leg and arm will be tender for a few weeks. I’ve mended what I can, but your body must do the rest. Take willows bark for the pain, and comfrey to strengthen your bones. I’m sorry. You will have a limp for the rest of your life.”
She didn’t have enough Essence to restore his leg to its previous state. Her power only went so far.
Geon gaped at his scarred arm. “God of Urn. Y—you have magic?”
“I was not aware she had such an ability,” Rawn said to the others.
Dyna stumbled to her feet, her vision swaying. She managed only one step before plunging head-first. Cassiel quickly caught her and lifted her into his arms. It should have elicited a blush, but she had no energy even for that. Her head lolled against his chest, a weight pulling on her eyelids.
“What has happened?” Rawn asked.
Zev answered, “It exerts her to heal.”
Dyna blinked sleepily at their concerned faces. “I’m all right.”
“Go,” the boy grunted as he used the tree to stand. “Captain Elon will come.”
Cassiel glared at him. “Who?”
“He’s an elf.” Geon glanced at Rawn. “Our second in command. You may have taken down twenty Raiders, but Elon is worth a hundred men. You don’t want to meet him.”
“Why would you help us?” Zev growled.
He met Dyna’s weary gaze. “I owe her a debt. I may serve Tarn, but I don’t wish her any harm. You must leave. Go!”
At his urgency, they ran down the hill. Dyna didn’t have the will to remain awake any longer. Her eyes slid closed as Cassiel’s stride rocked her to sleep.
Chapter 42
Zev
Zev wanted nothing more than to hunt down those who pursued them. It was not in his nature to run away from any threat, but now it was the only option. They needed to get Dyna far from this place. He caught Cassiel’s eye, and the Prince nodded in wordless agreement. As soon as it was dark, they would travel again all night to put some space between them and this newfound enemy.
Lord Norrlen took point while Zev guarded the rear. The elf descended nimbly down the shrouded hills. Cassiel followed behind, keeping Dyna tucked close. She didn’t stir, no matter how much he jostled her. The grey tint to her pale complexion worried Zev. She may sleep for days this time.
But the most concerning was the man who’d sent his men to capture her. The scent of their blood lingered on the Prince. Zev would no sooner forget the cold, unfeeling mask Cassiel wore when he had tortured a Raider to learn Dyna’s whereabouts. But he was not a killer, and the act visibly affected him.
Cassiel blamed the sorceress. Zev blamed himself. He had separated from them when they should have stayed together. Otherwise, Von would not have so easily taken her.
So many questions ensnared his mind. Who was Tarn? What interest did he have in Dyna? Why was he wanted by the Azure King?
Rawn brought them to a shallow end of the lake. He parted a crop of reeds and revealed a raft resting on the bank, water lapping against it. The crude thing was mere driftwood tied together by spent rope, hardly large enough to hold two people.
“You used this to cross the loch?” Zev asked skeptically.
