I didn’t fight him, knowing I would only cause him more pain if I tried to reject this. Cradling his arm, I opened my mouth wide and covered the wound. The first taste nearly knocked me off my feet, and my eyes rolled back in my head. I hadn’t realized how starved I was until then. Skin and bones mended, Samkiel once more saving me.
In the distance, people shouted and pieces of the palace crumbled, but I fed deeply, not pulling back until I felt the ground tremble as someone brought down one of the warships. Samkiel tugged on my head, trying to bring me back to his arm.
“No,” I said, shaking my head.
“It’s not enough,” he insisted.
“It is,” I said, wiping my mouth and rotating my shoulder. I wasn’t fully healed, and the pain had only lessened, but we needed to move right now. “We need to leave. Regroup and worry about the rest of her legion and armada another day.”
Samkiel nodded and lowered his sleeve, glancing skyward as a roar rent the air.
“She has two Ig’Morruthens,” I said, following his gaze.
His eyes met mine. “I have three, but step one of our plan is to keep that damn ring on your finger.”
I flinched and fished it out of my bra. Slipping it back onto my finger, I clenched my hand into a fist. “I couldn’t keep it on, Samkiel. Even if she didn’t know what it was capable of, she would have destroyed it out of spite. You never would have found me then. I swear, I had a plan. I—”
“I know,” he interrupted. His tone was edged with anger, but sadness flared in his eyes. “I am sorry about Reggie, akrai.”
“I can’t right now.” I shook my head, tears threatening to blind me.
He nodded and kissed me, offering solace and comfort before pulling back. His eyes scanned my body, assessing my remaining wounds. The moment the chains were removed, my injuries had rapidly started to heal, and now my body was greedily utilizing the power in his blood.
“How did you get a forsaken blade?” he asked.
“I made it,” I said. “In that dungeon. It’s my arm. I would not let Reggie’s death be in vain. She took him in front of me, so I say an eye for an eye.”
He stared at me, and I could see the emotions warring within him. There was anger that I would have to resort to hurting myself to survive, but there was also extreme pride. “Gods, I love you.”
“I know. You keep telling me.” I smiled and kissed him once more before stepping out of his reach. My mind felt so much clearer now that I had fed, and I looked around, taking in the true extent of the chaos. I hadn’t realized how many people had come to her little get-together.
“Her armada,” I said, pointing at the ships. “She’ll blow this place up before she lets anyone think they can fight her for the throne.”
“Not worried about it. Camilla is handling any ships that may enter. She’s grown tremendously in power.”
I stared at him in shock, my mouth slightly agape. “Camilla?”
Samkiel nodded. “She’s a very powerful witch.”
“How did you get her to join?”
“I didn’t. She showed up with our league of assassins,” he said, taking my hand and leading me into the fray.
“The smoke,” I said. “Of course.”
As if on cue, a tall, slim figure slipped from the darkness as if she owned it. Her face and body were covered from head to toe in sleek black clothes. She lowered the cloth that covered her full, bow-lipped mouth. Her vibrant, gold-flecked amber eyes stared into mine.
“Yes, I believe you met their leader,” Samkiel said, nodding toward her. “Dianna, meet Faye.”
“Leader?” I let out a low whistle. “Makes sense now.”
“The royals are fleeing, my king. Kaden and Isaiah have managed to find the two kings of Yejedin and are dispatching them. Cameron, along with my array, are moving civilians out of range of the destruction.”
“Okay, good,” Samkiel said. He pushed me toward her. “Take her home. I’ll help Kaden and Isaiah take down more ships.”
Faye caught me, and I glared at Samkiel. “I’m not leaving.”
“You’ve done enough. You’ve been through enough. I can handle the rest.” He said, glaring back.
