“Are you hurt? Tell me you’re not hurt.”
“We’re okay, we thought you were a mage,” Malakai answered, as he let out a pretended breath of relief.
“I’m fine,” I managed, though my voice trembled, pushing away from Malakai.
Malakai’s chuckle rolled lazily in front of me. “She’s more than fine. You should’ve seen her. The two of us are the perfect team, took down the last mage together like it was nothing.”
My throat tightened.Team. The word was a chain, locking me into his lie.
Lionel’s jaw clenched, his eyes flicking from Malakai back to me, suspicion shadowing the relief. But he didn’t push. He only helped me to my feet, keeping close and steady, protective.
“You scared me to death when you fell,” he half-lectured, half-sighed. Lionel’s arm swept around me, hugging me tightly against him. My hands were still trembling, as I gripped his jacket, holding on tightly as if I’d fall into a bottomless hole if my hands slipped.
Malakai rose to his feet, brushing off the dirt. “How are the others?”
Silence stretched between them, I had to break away slightly to get a view of Lionel’s face. “Nate.” I breathed out, memories of the battle flashing before my eyes.
“It’s… complicated,” Lionel answered, his face tense.
“Is he okay?” I asked, looking behind him I saw Eve, awkwardly waiting with her rifle in her hand.
The silence stretched, Lionel lowered his eyes to me again.
“Is Nate okay?” I repeated, raising my voice, finding new strength in it.
“Ethalyn,” Lionel began, before he pressed his lips together.
“It’s a simple question, is he okay!?” I shouted, my hands gripping the collar of Lionel’s shirt. He averted his gaze, pain filling his facial features.
“No…” I breathed, my hands slipping. “Mey.” I pushed out from the safety of his arms and began walking. I didn’t even glance at Eve, but she silently followed right on my heel.
CHAPTER
15
We worked together to build a small shelter from the wind and rain for Nate. He was unconscious still, his hair matted with blood. Mey was glued to his side, patting his forehead with wet cloth, making sure he was neither too warm nor too cold.
But not a single tear seemed to leave her eyes. She was determined that this was just a phase, that he would overcome his injuries and wake up soon enough—she said it over and over as if to remind herself.
“Tell me if you need anything, food, water, a break. Name it,” I told her, and she simply nodded, her eyes glued to his closed ones. “I believe he’ll pull through.”
He had to.
I backed away, giving them space, as I almost stumbled over Ashley and Eve.
“Still nothing?” Ashley asked, the first sign of worry I had seen from her still collected and calm face.
I shook my head slowly. “Seems he hit his head real bad…”
“Maybe if someone hadn’t been busy flirting with the boys,” Eve’s voice cut in, low but sharp. “She could’ve watched his flank, he wouldn’thave—”
My blood boiled. “Excuse me?”
Her brows lifted, too innocent. “I mean, we all know accidents happen, but some of us are supposed topreventthem, right?” Her eyes flicked towards me.
“That’s rich, coming from the rookie who flutters her eyes at every male.” My voice rose before I realised it.
Eve’s lips curved in that mocking smile I hated. “At least I can keep my head clear instead of running around like a hot-headed idiot.”
