I eliminated another, and the instant he died, Iasar burst free of the Liege’s power, shooting up toward the sky. I stalked toward the remaining Lieges, my threads snaking out, snapping around two of them. My magic sliced through them while consuming their power.
The king wasn’t the only one who could drain, though I only took from those who needed killing, those who stole power from others.
After sending a sharp glance my way, the last Liege melted into the forest, and I let him go for one reason only.
Turning, I flitted to my fury.
Iasar floated above her, undulating in the wind, his icy blue hide fracturing the sunlight, shooting it in arcs around him.
As I eased toward him, remaining at his back but still aiming for Tempest, he whispered to her.
“Your path will ssssplit ssssoon,” he hissed, his head close enough he could nip out and sever it from her neck if he chose.
I clenched my fists and barely restrained my threads. Once I touched her, I’d flit from here, taking her from this dragon’s sight.
She gazed up at him, her face rapt.
“Only one path leadssss where you must go.” His words slurred through the air, dissipating like mist in full sunlight asthey reached me. “But the path issss not here or there or in the worldssss beyond. Find it.”
“I will.”
“Do not forget your promisssse.” His head swiveled, and his gaze landed on me. While I read a hint of thanks there, I saw no forgiveness.
A pop, and Iasar disappeared.
I flung myself forward, catching my fury before she toppled to the ground. I flitted us to our suite, where I wrapped my threads around the room so tightly, even Ivenrail wouldn’t find a way through.
With a flick of my finger, I filled the tub with steaming, scented water. I removed her clothing.
I sealed the wounds on her arms quickly and healed her face, then attended to her right leg before turning to her left. My breath hissed up my throat, and I dropped to my knees in front of her.
“I’m alright,” she said, her voice wavering as much as her body.
Bracing the backs of her legs, I stared at the mangled flesh on her thigh. Anguish sunk its claws into me, tearing and thrashing through my chest. I gasped for air, every breath complete torture.
“I’m sorry.” I gazed up at her as I laid my palm on her filleted skin, using magic to delicately draw the edges together and more power to sear a healing spell deep below the surface. One of the cuts had hit the bone, slicing a segment of it away, and I repaired that as well. Finally, her skin had closed over and her blood no longer flowed.
The wounds she’d received inside would haunt her dreams for many nights.
“Delaine,” she whispered. “She took me there. She cut me and left me for the Lieges.” Her chin lifted and a spark of flint edged into her voice. Seeing it made my eyes burn. She was here. She was still with me. She was safe. “I killed her. Thrust a dagger into her chest. When she tried to pull it out, I shoved her off the cliff. I watched as she fell. Watched as she hit the side, smacking into it until she was much too broken to ever be put back together again. I even watched as she landed on the rocks far below. She won’t heal from that.”
When Tempest slumped toward me, I caught her, straightening while cradling her in my arms. “I should’ve been there for you.”
“You came at the right time. I did it.Idid it.” Her voice came out strangled. “The high advisor’s going to come for my throat. My heart too. He’ll rip it from my chest, hold it aloft while it’s still beating, then do something horrible to it. Burn it maybe. Does anyone do things like that?”
I carried her into the bathroom. Like before, I climbed into the steaming tub fully clothed. As I settled her across my chest and she snuggled into my frame, tremors shook her wounded body.
I held her. I never wanted to let go.
The corners of my eyes stung. Only this woman could draw tears from me. No one else had since I watched Ivenrail rip my mother apart.
After gently bathing her, I dried her body, taking care of the still-scarlet strips on her thigh. I carried her to the bed, usingmagic to tug back the flooferdar covers. I laid her on the soft sheets and quickly removed my wet clothing before climbing into the bed beside her.
She slipped into my arms. Clinging to my shoulders, she wrapped her leg around me.
She didn’t weep.
She didn’t ask me how to process what just happened.
