Page 26 of Ashborne Forged

I scratched the back of my neck. “I’ve been distracted.”

Gil huffed. “This isn’t distraction, Voski. You’re off your game. I get it. It’s huge. But the only reason I agreed to this is because you need to get control of this so you can focus. We need you to focus.”

I nodded tightly. I knew he was right—I hated myself for all the ways I’d fucked up with Grace, and the ways I’d lost my edge. But I couldn’t change the past. Only do better now.

“Got it,” I said, my attention dragging back to those little sacks in my hand. I was always so careful. How had I forgotten?

The answer came effortlessly. The bond.

Was it possible it was too late? And what the hell could I do if it was?

Chill fear coursed through me, another bucketful of winter ice through my veins.

“Bro… Are you—”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, closing my palm on the little sacks then tucking them into the pockets of my leathers, before focusing on my brother again. “Thank you. I mean it. For all of this. I didn’t see this coming. So, you’re a life-saver.”

“Just as long as you come back in time, we’re golden.”

“I will. You have my word. Messenger mission. Took Grace along for the ride so the dragons wouldn’t be agitated. We’ll be back before the sixth night.”

Gil nodded once. “There was a lot of movement today, and tomorrow looks the same. Fly before dawn.”

“Will do.”

We looked at each other for a second, then he clapped my arm. “Good luck.”

“Good luck?”

He smirked. “The Creator gave you a live one who can sneak up on you. I look forward to watching this unfold.”

“Your compassion is touching.”

Gil bowed elegantly, as if he swung a cloak wide. “I’ll leave the touching to you.”

“Fuck off.”

“Again, that appears to be your—”

“Gil, shut up.”

He grinned, and I chuckled, shaking my head as he clasped my hand. As he turned away, Gil glanced at the treehouse, and shook his head. “Take care of her, bro.”

“I will.”

As I turned back to the treehouse, those little bags burned in my palm. ‘Kham?’

‘We remain close, as you asked.’

‘Thanks. We’ll fly after high moon.’

‘We will rest until then.’

‘Good. But, please, don’ t let us be surprised again. By anyone.’

It took him a beat to answer, as a small, quivering thread of amusement trickled through the bond. I grumbled under my breath. Why was everyone smirking at me today?

When I got inside—remembering the lock on the trap door this time—Grace was on the bed, sitting with her back to the wall, flipping through one of the books by candlelight. She looked up as soon as I crawled inside, pulling the duffel bags behind me. My heart flipped over in my chest, and she smiled.