“Where have you been?” I ask.
He keeps a healthy distance between us but lowers his hands. “I’ve been running around this fucking forest, hoping to find you. Have you heard those screams?”
Unfortunately, I know exactly what caused those sounds. “Yes, I believe I’m the reason behind those bellows you’ve heard. I’m hoping to avoid any more until morning.”
Oak sinks against the rock wall opposite where Rohhit lies. “He’s going to die if we can’t stop the bleeding.”
“I know. I briefly left to find some water. I need a crystal, and I was going to try a healing ritual on his leg.” My eyes drift to the sword on his back. “Give me that weapon.”
Shock dances across his face. “I trust you and all, Princess, but that’s the only thing I have to protect myself. I’m not just handing it over.”
“I don’t want to keep it, you idiot. I want the crystal on it. It may work to start the ritual. But the more you complain, the closer we are to losing him.”
He hesitates but finally pulls the sword from his back. “I know a few things about healing. Let me help!”
Remembering that we still need water, I point deeper into the cave. “Fine, go get water. I won’t risk you going into the forest unprotected. Bring it back.”
Oak takes one look at the darkness and animal bones before standing with force. “Gods, no. I’m not going back there unprotected either!”
I rush toward him, grabbing his fresh shirt with my bloody hands. “He’s going to die, and it’s because you were too afraid to get water. Maines is going to laugh in your face when I tell her, you coward.”
He pushes my hands off his clothes, assessing the stain. “How dare you call me that! I’m anything but!”
He marches into the darkness, and a grin forms on my face, knowing that the mention of her worked.
Men and their fragile egos.
I rush back to Rohhit. “I’m going to make it better. I’ll take the pain away as soon as I can.” I brush a strand of his hair fromhis face. His blonde hair is brown with dirt, but he still radiates a light. “Please give me a sign that you can hear me.” I check his pulse, a faint heartbeat thumping back.
I guess that’s sign enough.
Carefully, I place his head on my lap and remove my outer blouse to keep him warm. My bare skin is exposed underneath, and I snicker, imagining Oak’s expression when he sees me. The cold mountain air brushes against my skin, raising goosebumps. I wrap Rohhit snugly in my shirt, doing my best to cover him. He stirs, making me jump. Any sudden movement keeps me on edge.
“I’m here, Rohhit! You’re going to be okay.”
Scooting the sword closer to me, I study the crystals on the hilt. Stunning stones in rich greens and black twinkle, even in the darkness of the cave. They’re small, but they might work. I grab a rock and carefully wiggle the crystal free, cautious not to break the precious stone. I wedge the rock under the prong and apply some force. The stone finally falls into my hand.
A yell deep in the cave snaps me out of focus, nearly causing me to drop the crystal. Wincing, I clutch it and spring to my feet, preparing to fight whatever Oak has disturbed. He sprints toward us, adrenaline propelling him forward.
“What the hell are you yelling about?” I snap.
“There… there were bats! Thousands of them! And something ruffled them!” He pants, crouching to rest his hands on his knees. “And I swear to the Gods I saw something in the water.”
“And to think, I almost apologized for calling you a coward earlier.”
He continues to catch his breath. “I don’t know how you Shadow Wielders handle darkness so well. I hate this shit.” His gaze travels to my chest, his eyes widening.
Snatching the water, I return my focus to Rohhit, kneeling beside him.
I begin to draw a wide circle around his body with the dust from a rock. Oak watches me work with intensity.
I pause. “Can you draw Rigils? I can, but you may be better at them.”
He scrunches his nose. “I have some experience, yes. Lumor Wielders are often taught the basics at a young age, but how and if you continue to practice is up to the Wielder.”
He moves closer, dipping his finger in the dark liquid pooling around Rohhit’s leg. “Blood is a strong conduit. Are you sure this is a good idea?”
I nod. The wall beside him will make a fine canvas for the ritual. Drawing the Rigil with near perfection, he looks back at me, ready for me to begin. Four circles with a straight line down the middle decorate the wall, blood dripping from the markings.
