“Yes, Lolli,” I said, reaching out to brush my fingers across hers. “We do this together.”
She searched my face and nodded.
Her magic threaded with mine in a way that felt too natural, too right. The moment our magic touched him, something unfamiliar tore through our bond. Death clung to him, not new but like an old companion. It had been wrapped around him long before this.
His pain dulled, the sharp edges smoothing into exhaustion. His lashes fluttered, and when his eyes opened again, they held something distant. “You feel it too, don’t you?” His gaze held mine before he closed his eyes again. “An otherness is in you now. Death’s claimed you, too.”
Finley’s hand trembled where she fisted it over his chest, but I couldn’t look away from him, from what he’d uttered.
Before I could ask what he meant, the tent’s flap swept open. Javier returned with a steaming cup in hand, the faint scent of herbs filtering through the air.
“Got the tea,” he said quietly. “But he’s back to sleep.”
I clapped Javier’s shoulder, willing the unease away. “Finley and I can finish taking the headache away. Why don’t you get some sleep?”
Javier’s shoulders straightened in a stubborn line. “I’m not leaving him.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise from you.” I handed him the blanket I’d used through the night and pointed at an empty spot for him to sleep.
Once he lay down, I turned back to Alastor. His breathing was steadier, and some color had returned to his skin as he sank deeper into the blanket.
Finley’s wide searching eyes met mine, unrelenting and full of questions.
Once we eased Alastor of his pain, I reached for her and smiled when she took my outstretched hand. Together, we slipped out of the tent. Outside, the early morning stretchedwide and quiet with only the flickering of lights from distant firepits and lanterns.
I guided us to our tent, which was only a few paces from Alastor’s. Everly waited for us, her hands tucked beneath her arms.
“How is he?” she asked, her worried gaze tracing over Alastor’s tent. “I heard him when he spoke to you.”
“He’ll live.” I rubbed the heel of my palm against my chest, where I’d felt his decision waver until he chose life. “Did you hear what he told me?”
She dipped her head in a slow nod. “What does he mean there’s anothernessin you?”
“I don’t know.” The words trembled from me, and I wanted to swallow that indecision back.
“Whatever claim Eiran thinks he has on you, he can’t have you.” Determination lined Finley’s pretty features, her soft lips set firmly, while her eyes flared white until the hint of the hazel I was still getting accustomed to disappeared.
I tugged her closer, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her temple. “I love being your damsel in distress,” I murmured against her.
I caught her hand when she swatted my chest and brought her knuckles to my lips.
“I’m serious, Brenton,” she said.
“You’re the only one who has any claim over me, Lolli. I’m yours.”
“Gods, you’re such a romantic.” Despite Everly’s gripe, one side of her lips tilted in a half smile. “You’re supposed to save those lines for when you’re in trouble.”
“Nah.” I nuzzled the side of Finley’s throat simply because I could. “I think I’ll wax poetic and declare my love every day.”
Everly shook her head, quickly making her way to her tent. “Put up your protective shield if your declarations are going to beloud.”
Laughter shook through me while Finley buried her head against the curve of my neck.
“I can’t believe she said that,” she whispered, her breath warm and teasing against my skin.
“Before meeting Teddy and Ryenne, she would’ve never implied such a thing.” Although I spoke quietly, humor threaded each word. “They’re bad influences.”
For a few beats, Finley’s magic stirred, humming beneath my skin as if it’d always been there. I rubbed my hand over my arm, not exactly chilly but simply aware of the magic that lived within me.
