I didn’t know how long I stayed in the room. But after another worried glance outside the window, only to find no wings in the sky and that the cluster of lights to the north had only grown, though appeared more scattered, my concern amplified.
Something was wrong. I could feel it.
I left the room and went in search of Maudoric. But as I strayed farther from the North Wing, heading toward the heart of the house, I heard voices and activity down below.
My feet quickened, my heart beginning to beat in a worried panic. When I reached the atrium, I saw that a group had been gathered there, Maudoric at the helm.
I scurried down the stairs, catching the attention of a few keepers, many of whom I knew personally, though they’d kept out of my way since I’d become Kaldur’s blood giver.
A couple were guards or soldiers, dressed in the same uniform that Braanelle wore—dark, tight-fitting trews with overlapping silver mesh that acted like armor and a thick leather vest over top a long-sleeved, tucked in tunic. Braanelle’s vest was always a dark blue. These soldiers were dressed in burgundy.
“Maudoric,” I murmured. “What’s happened? Where’s theKyzaire?”
The soldiers straightened, inclining their heads at me when I alighted onto the main floor. The doors to the keep were open, a chilly breeze whistling through them. As for the keepers, they stood back. They’d been roused from sleep, it appeared, though I got the impression they were merelywaiting.
Maudoric turned to me, her back to the soldiers, and took my arm.
“Don’t worry,” she said lowly, her voice calm—which only made my panic spike. “TheKyzairehas been injured, but he will be fine.”
“Injured?” I breathed, eyes wide. “How?”
“Alyvinattack,” Maudoric told me, squeezing my arm inapparent comfort as I placed my hand on my belly. “He specifically didn’t want you to worry.”
Her eyes had strayed to my stomach when she said that. My breath hitched in hope. “So you’ve talked to him?”
“No, these soldiers relayed his message,” she said. “He’s on his way here but by carriage.”
So he was injured enough not to fly,I thought, biting my lip.
“Alyvinattack?” I asked, brow furrowed, shaking my head. “Since when do?—”
“There have been a few reports since the South Road construction. They are pushing into Northern villages,” Maudoric told me. “Kaldur’s been keeping close watch there, but I think that maybe…he’s been distracted. Weak.”
My cheeks heated, my nostrils flaring.Stubborn male,I thought.
“He won’t feed from me,” I whispered, catching her eyes.
Maudoric’s lips pressed together in understanding. She leaned close. “He needs to feed tonight. Do whatever it takes to ensure he does.”
When she pulled back, we held each other’s eyes. I inclined my head, understanding and determination swarming in my veins.
I was the only one who could help Kaldur heal, wasn’t I? The only one.
“The injury…is it bad?” I asked before my eyes went to the soldiers behind her.
Though one of them shook their head, a full-blooded Kylorr male with piercing maroon eyes, he still said, “But he’s lost a lot of blood. The pack was larger than we anticipated. They caught the soldiers stationed there off guard.”
And Kaldur had been thrown into the mix of it all.
They must’ve been tracking the pack,I thought. Because he’d been gone for hours. This injury was recent.
I heard the clattering of a carriage along the cobblestonesoutside. And my chest squeezed. I had just begun to start for the open door when I heard a commotion outside, a shout of “Kyzaire, wait!” Perhaps from the driver.
When I raced to the door and stood on the threshold, peering down the stairs and into the darkness, I could only see the carriage, not even halfway up the road.
Maudoric came up beside me with a frown. She called out to the driver of the carriage, “Where is he?”
“He flew up to the keep!” the hidden driver called back.
