Since we’d arrived, Javier hadn’t moved from his side. His eyes were bloodshot, his lips constantly moving with words I couldn’t hear.
The faintest chill swept over my spine. Dawn wasn’t far. Pale light started to bleed through the seam of the tent.
And I didn’t know which would come first. The sun rising or Alastor’s final heartbeat.
Then Brenton shifted against me. Body rigid, he lifted his head at the same time Javier did. The air changed while they both stared at Alastor. Then silence cracked with the faintest hitch of a breath. Before I had time to register it, Brenton moved.
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
BRENTON
I hurriedto Alastor’s side, wrapping my fingers around his wrist to feel his pulse.
His eyes fluttered open, and he pushed me away weakly to brace an arm over his eyes. “Don’t hover . . . fae.”
Relief scraped down my chest. “Too late. Javi and I have appointed ourselves as your nursemaids.”
A rough laugh scraped from his throat. “I could use some of that herbal tea.”
When I shifted to rise, Finley placed her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll make it. Or we could use the healing properties of my magic.” Her voice came out soft, timid, as if she expected him to reject her offer.
“Leah’s magic was never able to ease my headaches.” Groaning, he closed his eyes. “We can try, though.”
Javier’s hand rested on Alastor’s shoulder, and Alastor gave him a faint squeeze in reply.
“I’ll make the tea,” Javier said, eyes red and shining with tears he still hadn’t let out.
“Don’t coddle him too much or he’ll come to expect you to play the doting nurse round the clock,” I said, forcing a grin although my chest clenched.
But this was what Alastor had chosen. Life and all its mess over peace.
Alastor managed another small, ragged laugh and opened his eyes to glare at me. “Make me laugh again, and I’ll sacrifice you to the sea.”
“Then you’ll have to contend with Teddy.” This time, my grin was more genuine.
“Ugh, Teddy.” He groaned, mouth twitching at the corners. “She’s going to kill me after my brush with death.”
Javier smiled faintly, shaking his head as he left the tent with Willow, excusing herself after him.
Silence settled in their absence, pressing in until the only sound was the rough drag of my exhale.
“I didn’t think you were going to come back,” I said.
Alastor met my gaze, tired and unguarded. Pain lingered behind his eyes, but the honesty shining through made my stomach twist.
“Neither did I.” His voice was raw, and his hand trembled when he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
I swallowed hard, wondering how much it cost him to return.
“Why don’t you discuss this later?” Finley whispered, her voice steady but kind, while her magic already sparked at her fingers. “Let me see if I can ease some of the pain.”
I shifted beside her. “Want me to join you?”
She hesitated long enough for doubt to creep in. Did she blame me for Alastor, too?
Her gaze met mine, uncertain but unflinching. “Do you want to? My magic?—”
