Trent nodded gravely, then addressed me. “The portal won’t be usable until the queen does her part. She will want to make sure the bridge will hold and the door is stable. Be watchful as you continue to the surface. I won’t follow beyond this cave.” He pointed toward one of the holes. “Those are old lava tubes. The water rapidly drops in salinity, which is why I must leave you here. Follow this path; it will take you to the surface. From there, you can head south to Vorkut.”
“Thank you for assisting us.” I made a fist and hit my chest. He returned the gesture.
“Safe travels.” He departed, tightly clutching his weapon.
A smooth current swept us upward, powered by Liora’s magic. The lava tube allowed for two people at a time to pass, a relief since I was assisting Rue. Her breathing came out ragged, and I instinctively clutched her tighter.
“I never would have thought the rebellion general would have it in him to assist a member of the Good King’s Scourge,” she huffed out.
“Ah well, I heard she’s now a member of the Handsome General’s Liberation. Don’t worry, it’ll be our little secret,m’est kisertes.”
She quirked her brow at my use of the old language. I could see her mind trying to figure out what it meant. “I do enjoy torturing myself with vile things,General.”
I smirked. “If you want to be tortured, all you have to do is ask.” Her cheeks flushed and she fell silent. My shadows heated around us.
We weaved around corners, passing schools of small silver fish. Subtly, the water took on a bluer hue, light gradually filtering in. As soon as I noted the change, the water levels decreased, and our feet finally rested upon solid ground.
Rue nearly collapsed when she released her magic on our group. We raked in our first breath of real air. Relief radiated across our party now that we could use our lungs again.
“I have no desire to revisit the Nereids anytime soon,” Bowen stated. Finn grunted in agreement.
“Can you walk?” I asked Rue. She attempted a step, her knee buckling.
Bowen rushed to her side helping to support her. She leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder, his arm wrapped protectively around her body.
Oh. Hells. No. I blazed.
My shadows moved without my instruction, and I scooped her up and away from Bowen, shoving him in the process.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“I can’t do this,” I responded through gritted teeth.
“Then put me down.” She began to wiggle in my arms. She didn’t know that not even my death would stop me from releasing her.
“I can’t have you in another man’s arms,” I growled. “Not when you belong in mine.”
She stared in disbelief for a long moment. Then she whispered into my chest, so low I almost missed it, “I like this better anyway.”
Her body gently melted against mine. Her nearness calmed the possessive predator inside me, and my shadows eased with each intake of her breath.
I addressed Finn, who not so subtly held back his deranged enthusiasm at what he’d just witnessed. “Head straight for Xuri, and bring back our horses.”
He waggled those disconcerting brows but was wise enough to remain silent.
Bowen turned hesitantly, his voice uneasy. “I lost my pouch of vials in the scuffle with the Nokt. I was going to give you one more dose of the tonic, but now I have none. They might have what I need at an apothecary in Vorkut, but I won’t know until we arrive. I’m sorry, Dom.”
I sensed the curse thickening in my veins. I needed more tonic. “Okay, then Bowen head straight to Vorkut. Rue and I will meet you there. Queen Thaleia said it was a small town, so there is likely only one or two inns. We will find you.”
They surged ahead without us. Rue remained relaxed against me and my magic hummed with her in my arms. I walked for another hour before I laid Rue down on the cave floor for a brief break. Sluggishness from the char in my blood demanded I rest.
I sat next to her, surrounding us both with warm shadows to ward off the cold.
“Let me check your leg.” It wasn’t a question. I shook with the need to assess her wound.
She outstretched her leg in response, and I unwound the strip of fabric from her thigh. My fingers grazed her soft skin with its removal. I swallowed hard at her responding shiver. My fingertips begged for more, but I was intent on her wound. Other explorations would come later.
Her flayed flesh reminded me of her impulsive decision to get between me and the Nokt, surging my anger anew. Smeared blood streaked around her leg. I closed my eyes and pulled on her blood to clot it further. She sighed as my magic blended with her lifeblood.
