29. Astraea #2
“Kyros… It’s Kellan.” I beg him to understand.
Kyros only waits a second before swallowing back any retort and relenting.
He takes a knife from his hip and slices through the thick rope that held Kellan’s arms tightly behind his back.
His arms fall to my sides, and I grunt as I try to keep his body up.
Kyros then bends down, hooks his arms under Kellan’s, and leans over his body so his lips are pressed to my ear.
“I hope you are right.” He whispers for just me, then heaves his body backward.
“Someone clear a space somewhere for me to lay him down. Get some clean water too.” The heels of Kellan’s boots slide through the filthy street, marking two lines in dirt as Kyros drags him toward the cottage that we are using.
The door bangs open as Viltarin steps out, looking hardly able to keep his eyes open from exhaustion.
But when he sees what is coming his way, he turns his head toward the door and calls out for someone inside.
I don’t quite catch what he says, as my ears are beginning to ring from the sudden shifts in energy.
Only a moment later, a flash of red hair spills from the doorway; frazzled and frantic.
Our eyes meet; the worry in Colette’s gaze is only briefly relieved before she sees Kyros lugging a body up the stairs toward her.
“He’s in need of some care. Viltarin, grab my bag.
” Kyros says as he passes him. Viltarin only nods, his eyes flicking up to Colette in concern before he disappears.
Colette’s face blanches of all color when she sees who it is hooked in Kyros’ grip.
Her hand flies to her mouth as she covers a choked sob.
At some point I peeled myself from the cobblestones and made my way to the creaky stairs. Cole hustles to my side, wraps her arm around my middle, and squeezes in a reassuring tightness. Even though I feel her trembling, she still tries to stand up a little straighter.
“I’m ok. Go help them. They need you.” I tell her, and she looks me up and down warily.
“Really, Cole. I'm fine.” I try to smile, and the look on her face says I am unconvincing, but still she nods, even if reluctant. She lets me stay there for the moment I need, leaning up against a support pillar in the center of the cottage. I brace myself as I watch them fuss over Kellan’s limp body.
Trying to will my heart to steady. His armor is being removed in chunks.
Metal clangs and leather slaps the wood floor with every piece removed.
His body is mangled under the layers. Blood drips from wounds all at different stages of healing.
I grit my teeth as my eyes fill with tears and my stomach flips at the sight.
Swallowing my rage, I turn as the door opens and Rowan walks in.
“You were just going to kill him!” I spit the accusation out at the Neer leader. Even if he is Kyros’ friend, I am unable to keep my anger caged behind my teeth.
“He is an Eathian soldier, and they flooded this town with blood not long ago. Or have you forgotten? Why would I spare him?” Rowan asks incredulously, his voice only a low rumble as though the answer should be obvious.
Each word brings heat to my chest. I feel my blood boiling beneath my skin. My fingers curl into a fist at my side.
“Look at him!” I roar through gritted teeth as I stab my finger in the direction of Kellan, lying lifeless on the table, nearly dead already.
“I saw what I needed to see.” He says as he doubles down.
His face is resolute and lacks remorse. He is blindly focused on the fact that he is of Eathian…
and that alone is enough to warrant his death.
I’ve seen the look many times painted on my father’s face, only he was looking down at someone accused of magick use.
It’s always the same injustice. Always act now and damn the questions that should be asked first.
“So what? Am I next? I am the princess of the terrible king. A fact you are well aware of—and yet, here I stand…” My nails bite into the meaty pads of my palms as I force myself toward him. A dark shadow looms from behind me, and Rowan’s gaze lifts over my shoulder, cold and unyielding.
“You know—she makes a good point. If you were to kill him for the mere fact that he wears the armor of an Eathian soldier, what difference is there between you and Connard? He kills the Neer simply for their beliefs in magick? Is that a legacy you want to hold?” Kyros says, void of all emotion.
I can feel him at my back. His aura, his scent, his heat, everything about him; it engulfs me and fills me with silent strength.
The fire within me recognizes the twin flame within him.
Rowan just silently glares. The smart man he is, he knows losing his temper with a man like Kyros would not be in anyone’s favor.
The seconds stretch and tension builds, while behind us, the chaos slows to a quiet rumble of voices and clatter of tools as they give aid to Kellan’s wounds.
Every now and again I can make out Colette’s distinct voice as she orders someone to fetch her something or another. My heart, though, has yet to calm.
“Why don’t you take a look at this before you make any more rash decisions?
I think you may want to rethink your assessment.
” Kyros finally says calmly, reaching back to grab his pack off his shoulder.
He pulls out a leather bound book and looks at it briefly before offering it to Rowan.
In the chaos of the moment, I had almost forgotten that we came here primarily to have him read this damn book.
If he even can… Rowan doesn’t take the book right away.
Kyros seems to think he can. He keeps his eyes locked with Kyros in a challenge I’ve never seen anyone, other than my father, give him.
Kyros doesn't waver. Finally, Rowan’s eyes flick down at the red tome.
The gold mandala in the center gleams in the low light of the cabin; Rowan’s brows crinkle before he quickly glances back up at Kyros.
His lips press together even more than they were as his hand lifts for the book.
“What is it?” He asks with his voice low.