Sebastian being ripped away from her.
The dagger at her throat.
Cade dragging her into his valmare.
Soldiers forcing Sebastian to the ground.
Her hands shook on the reins.
Shehatedthis plan. Hated every step closer. But she didn’t stop, because Sebastian was right. If anywhere held answers, it was Fatàn. But if they didn’t, then what were they going to do? She pushed the thought away. They’d cross that bridge if they came to it. Sebastian rode ahead; shoulders tense. He hadn’t spoken much since he’d suggested they make the journey. She knew he was afraid. Not for himself – but for her. One hand rested on his sword hilt, crimson flaring, ready to fight at a moment’s notice. She drew strength from that. Despite her fears, the land had grown quieter the closer they came to Fatàn. There was no sign of Thorne patrols, or Sorrel archers.
She still expected to be discovered any moment – to hear shouts, the clash of steel, feel the cold bite of nightshade on her wrists. But so far,nothing. Perhaps the Council believed they had truly fled south after they’d taken the Fire Shard, or just didn’t expect them to come back this far north. Whatever the reason, she was grateful.
They had been in Fatàn territory for only a few quiet hours, and night had begun to fall, when it happened. Ahead of them, a wall of deep ruby flared high into the sky – then curved overhead, sealing into a vast dome. It spread in all directions, caging the mountains, the volcano, the forests beneath it.
A shield?
Larger than any she’d seen before. And they were inside. The shield arcing above them blazed a glowing red, rippling against the ash-dark sky. It looked like–
Fire.
Sweat beaded instantly all over her skin, dripping down her back. “No,” she choked out. “No, no, no–”
She yanked hard on the reins without meaning to, and her valmare tossed its head and stamped its hooves indignantly. The barrier glowed harmlessly overhead, but Kara didn’t see that. All she saw was fire above her, trapping her beneath it like the pyre. No way out. Only flames licking at her, shutting her in until there was no air left.
I can’t breathe–
Every breath came too quick, too shallow. Her vision blurred.
“Kara.”
Sebastian had dismounted, appearing at her side in a heartbeat. He gripped her wrist firmly. “Look at me. Not at the sky. At me.”
But she couldn’t hear him. Her heart was racing so fast she thought it was going to break out of her chest. Her head was spinning, and she could taste smoke that wasn’t there. She kept trying to get air into her lungs but it was not enough, never enough–
I don’t want to burn–
“I can’t – I can’t breathe,” she gasped.
“Kara,” he called, sharper this time. “You’re not burning. You’re not trapped. I’m here. I’ve got you. Breathe.”
Her legs buckled against the stirrups and she fell forward. Sebastian caught her easily. He hauled her down with one arm locked around her waist. He used his other hand to push her palm flat against his chest.
“Here,” he ordered. “Feel it. My heartbeat, hear my breathing. Match it.”
His breathing was steady and slow, whilst hers was ragged, painful and uneven. She squeezed her eyes shut, and the sound of him broke through the panic, commanding her.
“In.” His chest expanded under her hand.
“Out.” The heat of his breath brushed her hair.
“In.”
“Out.”
She tried. Gods, she did. It took several attempts before her chest started to ease and air came more freely. Not once did Sebastian let go. Finally, the trembling in her body faded, and she sagged into him, exhausted.
“That’s it. That’s my girl. You’re alright.”
