Then, it was barreling toward them.
But Rynna’s legs refused to move, her mind still spinning.
Then Bran coughed beside her.
You can’t let them die!She wiped the tears from her eyes and, with an inhale, forced herself to focus, pulling the threads of her Will together into a barrier.
I’m sorry.She huddled over Bran, just as the attack hit, barreling into her with the force of an avalanche. Her whole body shook under the pressure as she fought to keep the shield intact. More tears streamed down her face, and behind her, Bran’s labored breathing was the only sound above the storm.
“I’m so sorry,” Rynna whimpered as the wind screamed around her. “I’m so sorry.” The words spilled from her lips in a chant, each one a desperate plea as she struggled to hold the barrier, even as her heart crumpled within her.
“You were everything to me!” Kaelith bellowed.
A sob tore from Rynna’s throat, and her shield began to buckle. The energy wavered under the force of his attack, cracks forming along the edges of the barrier.
Then, before it could shatter completely, Fenn appeared, yanking her and Bran out from under the barrage, dragging them both further away. They landed hard on the ground, the air thick with dust and sand, making it nearly impossible to see anything beyond Fenn’s face.
“Are you okay? Rynna, talk to me. Are you okay?” His worried eyes searched her for any sign of injury.
She could barely nod, her vision dimming as the world tilted dangerously close to darkness.
“Stay with me, love.” He held her tight in his arms. She could see two other Hollow-born cutting the snake from Taren, and his form slumping to the ground. “Stay with me.”
Rynna looked past Fenn’s shoulder, catching the hazy outline of Kaelith. Ember Reach Vessel surrounded his lean form, their weapons drawn, including the Ember Warden himself standing at the forefront.
“We came as soon as we knew he was here,” Fenn whispered gently, his voice full of regret. “I’m so sorry you had to face him alone.”
She looked back at Fenn, her hand trembling as she raised it to his cheek, needing his warmth to ground her. Then, burying her face in his chest, she tried to block out the torrent of memories threatening to overwhelm her.
This is my life. This is my life. She repeated the mantra, willing herself to stay in the present.
“Oh, love.” Fenn kissed the top of her head, arms pulling her tighter against his chest. And for a moment, she let herself sink into him, the steady thrum of his heartbeat almost enough to drown out the chaos within her own.
Then the moment shattered as a raw howl of agony split the air, sharp enough to rattle her bones, yanking her gaze back to Kaelith.
“All for nothing!” he cried, the sound broken and desperate. “How could you!”
Kaelith screamed again, and then another, more guttural sob followed, full of despair.
“Come quietly, traitor,” the Ember Warden commanded. “There’s no need to draw this out any longer.”
For a moment, Kaelith’s focus snapped from Rynna to the Ember Warden and then back to Rynna. His sobbing stopped, and his face hardened.
“All for nothing,” he closed his eyes briefly, pulling himself together, his face going cold and emotionless as he addressed the Ember Warden.
“Come quietly?” He laughed. “Now, where is the fun in that, hypocrite?”
Then, before anyone could move, his body shimmered, fading from view.
“Come and get me. We’ll see who goes quietly.” His voice echoed, and then he was gone.
Rynnablinkedintothepale morning light. The inside of the tent tinted gold where it filtered through the stretched canvas overhead. The space beside her was empty, sheets still warm where Malekar had lain.
Gooseflesh bloomed over her skin, a shiver skating up her spine. She didn’t need to see him to know he was there. Waiting.
The silence clung to the air as she drew the silk sheet up so it skimmed the curve of her breasts. Reclining fully, she let the fabric slip from her grasp. Then, deliberately, she stretched, arms reaching overhead, back arching as her spine lifted from the bedding.
A yawn curled past her lips. “Errrahhhh…” She rolled to her side and propped herself on one elbow. Her palm cradled her cheek as she faced him, lids still half-lowered.
