Fuck. She glared at the back of his head.And fuck you. I can’t fucking lie, you idiot.If she could have yelled at him, she would have.
Her mouth parted—to say something, anything—but Kaelith tensed, almost as if he could hear her thoughts, then cut in before sound left her lips.
“Rynna accompanied me to ensure I didn’t step out of line,” he said smoothly, shoulders drawing taut beneath his tunic.
“I didn’t ask you.” Mira moved closer, giving Rynna her full attention. “Is this true?”
Shit.
Rynna drew her lower lip between her teeth. What would a dark elf say? They were always slippery with words, clever in the ways that counted.
“I…joined him on the trail,” she said finally, “assuming he was up to no good.”
Kaelith snorted, the sound low and short.
She shot him a glare.Unhelpful.
“But he wasn’t trying to escape,” she added, voice steadier now. “That much was obvious.”
Her shoulders relaxed as she exhaled. “Then, we were attacked near the upper ledge. Whoever they were, they nearly brought the mountain down on top of us.”
Mira didn’t answer right away.
Her eyes moved over Rynna, measuring the tremble hiding in her limbs, the scrape on her cheek, the ragged edge of her braid. A moment passed.
“Very well.” The fire in her hands dimmed to a faint ember, then vanished altogether. “Your attackers. They used the Source?”
Rynna hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I mean…I guess.” Her eyes flicked to Kaelith, who confirmed.
“Yes. But it was strange,” he said.
She stepped up beside the man. “Strange?”
“Not like any elemental magic I’ve ever seen before. Black and oily.” His brows scrunched together.
She hadn’t processed much of the fight, hadn’t been able to. Everything had narrowed to teeth, claws, and blood. Holding the rage back had taken everything. Seeing Kaelith broken on the ground…
Even now, her heart stuttered, thudding against her ribs.
She shook her head, scratching her fingers down her arms. “I’m sorry.” The dried blood flaked under her nails. “Can I go wash this off?”
Her skin felt tight, stretched too thin over bones. Her gums ached, teeth pressing against her tongue. There was no enemy in sight, and still, her body readied for war.
“I killed them,” she said flatly. “None got away. But they weren’t acting alone. They took orders from someone, maybe remotely. I didn’t hear any other heartbeats…” Her words faltered.
Kaelith’s head turned toward her, something flickering in his eyes.
She squeezed hers shut.Idiot.“I mean—no one else seemed nearby.”
Nails sliced into her palms as she took a slow step back, eyes on the ground. “Kaelith can explain it better. The technical details. He…he saw more than I did.”
“Rynna?” His voice barely carried.
She didn’t look, but saw the faint sign of movement as his hand started to lift, reaching for her chin.
“I’m fine.” She jerked her face away. “Just need a shower. Or a bath. I mean. Or whatever.”
Another step back, then she addressed the woman without lifting her eyes. “May I go, Warden?”
