A surge of violet cut through the haze. Sienna dropped to her knees on Kara’s other side, and wrapped her arms around her. Her magic pulsed, trying to dull the sharpest edges of Kara’s grief. But she hardly felt it. The pain was too much.
I won’t survive this. I don’t want to.
“Don’t–” Kara sobbed, thrashing against her hold. “Don’t take me from him–”
But Sienna’s violet flared stronger. “I’m not. I’ve got you. You’re not alone. I’ve got you.”
“Come home to Thorne, Kara,” Tobias commanded softly but firmly, the words landing like both an order and a vow.
Thorne.
Home.
The words ripped her open. Sienna held her tighter, and this time Kara collapsed into her arms, her anguished cries shaking them both.
He can’t have left me.
“He can’t be gone, hecan’tbe dead,” she wept uncontrollably. She couldn’t breathe.
No matter what she was saying, she could feel it. He was gone. Her soul was torn in two. The agony of it was inexplicable.
She reached out for him again. His hand was still warm. “Sebastian, please–” The words weren’t coherent anymore. “Take me with you. I can’t – I don’t want to stay here–”
Sienna placed a hand to Kara’s head, violet clawing at her temples. “Let me help, let me take some of it–”
As Kara lost herself, Tobias lifted her to her feet. Sebastian’s fingers slipped through hers. Tobias raised his head, his voice steel as he barked orders to his men. One order broke through the haze.
“Gather him. Treat him with honour. He is my son, a hero of Vallenna. And he will not be left on this field.”
There were low murmurs of assent as four soldiers ran forward to gather his body.
“Be careful with him – please–” she cried, reaching back towards him.
“We will, milady,” one answered steadfastly. They carried him past and Tobias placed his hand on his son’s arm, trembling slightly before he pulled it away. A single crack in the armour. Then it was gone.
Sebastian–
Tobias put his arm around her and all but carried her across the field. Sienna followed, never once letting go of her hand.
“Bring a valmare. A squad with me. His body will ride in the carriage, guarded on all sides. We return to Thorne. Now,” Tobias barked.
“Please, my lord, may I come with you?” Sienna asked. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
Tobias’s expression softened. “You were on their Arcalon team weren’t you?”
Sienna nodded.
“You are welcome in my house for as long as Lady Hale wishes,” Tobias said kindly.
“Thank you,” Sienna said and she held Kara as she sobbed against her shoulder.
“Bring another valmare,” Tobias barked over his shoulder.
Kara barely registered the bustle until Tobias lifted her onto the waiting saddle and climbed up behind her.
“Wait!” A voice cried from one of the Healer tents, and a figure pushed their way towards them.
Alys.
