Chapter Sixty-Seven #2
He comes to a stop, and my eyes well with tears when his moss green eyes glare from within the thick black lines painted around them, made all the more severe between the black of his hair and mask.
“You will bring her down carefully, or you will suffer a torturous death,” Fray promises.
“Fray, have you seen—” My voice shakes, and I cannot bring myself to ask it.
The creases beside his eyes soften. “Everyone is alive and uninjured.”
I open my mouth to make sure he means—
“They are all alive. I promise. I am here to take you to them.”
Air filters in, though the constriction in my chest won’t relent. Not until I see them.
“Is it safe?” Prince Auden asks.
“Safer than allowing you to keep her captive hundreds of feet above the ground.”
“I would never hurt her.”
Fray glares back in response as the royal hugs me closer.
“There is a clearing on the opposite side of the castle where we will land,” Fray says.
The Prince lets out a breath. “I am going to begin our descent.”
I nod, then ask him, “Why did you fly off with me when I explained what happened?”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but there was an explosion, and I reacted.”
“But why take me when you could have saved yourself, or sought your mother out?”
“She has her own guards to keep her safe.”
Fury burns through my veins, and I release it. “I have my own Guards to keep me safe! Including the one flying next to us!”
“You’re right.” His ribs expand and press in on my chest.
“Why, Auden?”
Fray snaps his head to the side and furrows his brow at my use of the Prince’s name.
“I only thought of your safety. I have no other explanation. I’m sorry.” His voice is solemn, and I pull in the deepest breath I can while constrained in his arms.
I shift to the side when a familiar warmth casts up and over the tips of my toes. My chest shudders under the pulsating comfort of Varic’s shield coursing up my ankles—proving he is alive, and I am within his line of sight.
My stomach flips when his eyes find mine, then he narrows them and glares up at the royal.
Fray’s boots meet the ground, and his hands hook beneath my arms to forcibly free me from the Prince’s hold. I release a breath as Fray hugs my back to his chest, then leans in. “I’m so sorry, Tasch. I was terrified when I couldn’t find you. I should have been there.”
“It’s okay.” I cough and double over, barely catching a glimpse of the clearing where perfect rows of trees surround us.
More coughs burst from my chest as several pairs of boots close in, only catching my breath once all of my Guards are accounted for.
“Tasch.” Varic’s hand splays over the small of my back, parting his shield to allow me to feel him.
I shiver and shake. Because he’s alive. He’s here. And it’s all too much to take in after the night we’ve experienced.
“Are you okay?” His voice breaks as his shield contracts, clinging to my skin more than ever while he embraces me in its protection.
His hand roves over my back to take hold of my arm as he gently helps me to stand.
The warmth and pressure of his fingers certainly help.
Then he imbues me with the cool mist of healing until the pulse pounding in my ears decreases, ensuring I am uninjured, rather than relying on Cirrin to do so for him.
I can barely stand, yet he asked me a question, and he deserves to have my answer—so I straighten and look him in the eye to offer it.
“I’m okay now that I know you are all alive and uninjured.
” The most impossibly bright brown eyes swim with tears as Varic studies me.
“This is just how my body responds to flying at high speeds, I promise.” I raise my hand to close what little distance he allowed to exist between our chests and take hold of his bicep while fighting the urge to pull him closer.
“I’m safe. Prince Auden made sure of it. ”
Cirrin’s hand replaces Varic’s over my back, and the sting in my eyes relents, though the incessant ringing only lessens.
Varic’s emotions flow to me just as quickly as they shift within him, and the intensity of his concern flows to fury just before he turns and lunges at the Prince.
The royal’s lips move as he murmurs something under his breath. Then my eyes widen in disbelief as a warbling, transparent force-shield envelops his form just before Varic’s hands connect with the center of his chest, forcing the Prince to take a step back, despite the layer of magic around him.
“Is that really necessary?” Fray asks, gesturing at Varic, who shoves the Prince’s chest a second time, with enough force to send anyone falling on their ass.
Instead, the royal stalks backward with the same fluidity he displays on the dance floor, meeting Varic’s assault with impressive footwork.
“I sincerely hope he doesn’t cause any physical damage I am incapable of healing.” Cirrin’s voice is strained, and I use what magic I can to help siphon his distress.
My Guards flank me as they each turn and offer glances filled with concern, before staring back at their leader as he continues to shove the royal without any protection of his own.
Though whatever spell the Prince seems to have cast must be absorbing the bulk of the force from Varic’s hands as he remains standing no matter how hard he shoves him.
Malin leans closer. “I’m sorry, Tasch. I didn’t detect anything suspicious until it was too late, and we were all propelled back into the crowd. The blast must have been set below the center of the stage. Had you and the Prince not been off to the side—” His words trail off as his voice cracks.
Fray taps my arm with the side of his elbow. “And I had to climb out from a pile of rubble, or else I would have gotten to you before that fucking snatcher took off.”