Page 287 of The Gods Order

I stumble forward one step. Then another.

My boots drag through the dirt as my vision swims, my chest pulls taut, and the battlefield tilts beneath me.

No…

What is happening?

I press harder against my stomach and warm blood slips through my fingers faster than I can hold it back.

“Thayla!”

The familiar voice cuts through the echoing in my ears, and my head lifts.

Just feet away…Yemi’s eyes find mine.

For a heartbeat, relief flashes across her face.

Then her gaze drops.

To my hands. To the crimson spilling between my fingers. To the trail behind me. Every ounce of color drains from her face.

“THAYLA!”

Her scream tears across the battlefield. It freezes something inside me far more effectively than a sword ever could.

She runs.

Not caring who stands in her way. Not caring who swings at her.

She just runs…toward me.

She catches me just before my knees give out and the force of us hitting the ground rattles through my body.

“No. No, no, no.”

Her trembling hands press against my stomach.

“Help!” she screams, voice cracking. “Sevryn! We need a healer!”

The battle rages around us, outside the barrier she throws up. I still hear it all, but all I see is her.

Tears stream down her face so quickly they blur her features. She keeps shaking her head, refusing to accept what’s covering her hands.

“H-hey,” I whisper.

Her terrified eyes meet mine.

“I’m here,” she says quickly. “You’re okay. You’re okay.”

I can’t help the small smile that touches my lips.

We both know she’s lying. She’s a terrible liar.

Footsteps pound toward us, and a familiar hand settles on my shoulder. The ache consuming my body disappears so suddenly I gasp.

“I’ve got the pain, Thayla. Just hold on for us. Your men are coming,” Sevryn says, though his voice shakes.

Relief washes over me and thoughts come easier.