The waning moon crawled out from behind a tattered cloud, casting the land with her silvery glow. Sitting there wasn’t going to get me anywhere, but the thought of forcing myself back onto my feet, feeling the skin split with every step? Tears streaked through the dirt of my face. Staying put was surrender. Ihadto get to Matthias, warn him Ifan couldn’t be trusted.
Every few minutes, my attempts to stand were thwarted by a body stubbornly refusing. My breath misted in the frigid air as fragments of laughter carried on the breeze. I cocked my head, trying to silence my ragged breathing. For a few moments, the only sound was the thundering beat of my heart. Then I heard them. My pulse spiked.
Voices!
Matthias! It had to be Matthias. My clammy hands slid down the branch. This was my chance.
I screamed his name. My raw voice splitting the night. For a few, painful moments, there was nothing. As I prepared to cry out again, faint shouts carried across the midnight air.
It was him! I stifled the sobs as I sank against the trunk. There’d be plenty of time to weep when he found me.
‘I’m here. Here. By this tree.’ My voice broke at the thought of seeing him again. That damned gorgeous smile. Shouts grew. A myriad of voices sweeter than bird song. I should have known they’d come for me.
‘Here,’ I yelled once more, sobbing as boots pounded the dry earth, growing louder with each second. I closed my eyesimagining the kisses I’d smother him with, after I’d downed a skinful of water first.
The boots pounded louder, and my heart stuttered. He’d have been on his horse. Why wasn’t he on a horse?
‘She’s here,’ a voice called, ‘behind that stump.’
My smile faltered. That wasn’t my husband, or Asher, or anyone I knew. As the footsteps crunched and thudded closer and closer, the sweat on my forehead chilled.
Three figures rounded the rotting stump. One held a Vyrium lamp so bright it took out my sight. Placing a shaky hand over my eyes, I peered up.
‘What the fuck is a pretty little thing like you doing out here?’
My guts knotted at the deep, slurred tone.
‘Dying, obviously,’ replied a woman’s voice, clipped and cruel.
One of the figures crouched but there was no way I could make out their features. My only hope was that they’d be friendly.
‘I’m lost…’
They laughed. ‘No shit.’
Definitely not friendly.
‘I-I need help.’ My chest cracked as the words left my mouth.
The crouching figure stood. ‘What d’ya reckon?’ he asked his fellows in a low voice.
The other male sniffed. ‘Bring her back. She looks like she’s done ten rounds with a ’fol.’
‘D’ya reckon she’s one of us?’
‘Nah, but what sort of bastards would leave a lovely young lady out here to turn to dust?’
Rough hands grabbed me. I’d used up all my energy getting this far. I dug my nails in, screaming as I tried to kick them with my sprained ankle.
My face crashed to the side as a palm slammed into it, and I stilled. They threw me over a shoulder and dragged me even further away from those I cared for.
CHAPTER 32
I’ve told you, Raul, Graig Du has been searched. Despite your ‘gut feeling’, I can categorically assure you, there are no deposits of Vyrium in the area.
— CHIEF ENGINEER, SIR MOSTYN’S ADVICE TO KING RAUL OF ASMAR
The bastards finally set me down on the ashy ground at their desolate small camp. Furtive glances weren’t easy for me, as my peripheral vision was hazy at the best of times. With my current headache and dry eyes, it was a complete loss.
