The third comes to swing at me as do the first and second. I catch the second and third sword, but the first comes sailing toward my arm?—
The guard is ripped back as a figure slams against him. Blonde hair whipping as she attempts to choke him from behind.
Aelia.
Not having much time to thank her, I focus on the other two, spinning and swiping and thrusting. Two is much easier, and soon I catch one man in the thigh and the other through his neck.
They fall as Aelia is thrown to the ground by the first guard, far outmatched. Ending the man with the wounded leg, I turn to help Aelia. The man has her pinned. Raising his arm, he sinks his blade into her chest as I strike him.
No!
His blood flies as I cut through his neck, body slumping to the side immediately. But his sword is still embedded in her chest, her blue eyes wide with shock.
I drop to her, assessing her wound and stopping myself from pullingthe sword free. Her hands shakily pat her chest, wetting her fingers with her own blood. “Mar…Marcel--” she breathes.
I frantically feel at my chest for the dragonblood vial I’ve been carrying. When I realize it’s missing, I look around to find it on the ground where I pinned the second guard to the wall. As I scramble to retrieve it, she snatches my arm before I’m far.
“Wait,” she shakes her head, “please don’t leave. Please don’t leave me.”
“Shh, shh, shh,” I whisper, grabbing her hands and leaning over so all she sees is my face. Her blood is spilling out at an alarming pace. My heart sinks, knowing it’s too much.
Too late to use dragonblood on her.
“I-I…” she’s struggling to get a single word out, “I’m scared. I-I couldn’t find her.”
My throat tightens until it’s hard to breathe. Knowing I’m not likely the person she wishes to see last. But I take on the honor of it, I hold it dear to me. Taking one hand, I gently brush a strand of her blonde hair out of her face. Stuffing down the emotion in my heart as I calmly hush her. “It’s alright. I’m here, and I’m here with you.”
Her hand tightens on mine, until we’re clasped together. Bloody fingerprints staining my skin. She nods, eyes still round as her breathing begins to slow. “I-I wanted to help?—”
“You did.” I smile with a nod. “You did, and you saved me. You freed all the others. They’re leaving now, they’ll be safe.”
“Leaving?” Her lips tremble, the color in her skin fading rapidly. “Can I come with them?”
The weakness in her voice threatens to break my heart. Tears well in my eyes as I nod. “Yes, of course. I’m bringing you with me.”
“My mother, too?” she asks in a cracked voice, a tear slipping from her eyes.
I nod firmer, brushing a thumb against her cheek as I whisper, “Now shhh, you’ll need your rest for the journey. So close your eyes, and when you wake up, you’ll be there.”
Her blue eyes search mine for a long moment. Both of us knowing the truth. She nods before her face relaxes and her eyes flutter closed.
I kneel there with her, watching the breath fade from her chest and the strength of her grasp dissipate. Until she’s quiet.
Still.
Her fingers slip from my hand.
My shoulders lurch as I hold back a sob. Brushing my fingers against her cheek, I murmur, “I’ll come back for you, Aelia.”
The guilt, the sadness, builds in my chest like a wave.
But my job is not yet done.
Fifty-Three
- THE BEAST -
I snap my eyes open to find everything doused in shades of red. Two guards dragging me back to the manacles, pulsing with magic that threatens to cage me.
