31. Mare #2
The Solheart wore the same ebony armor as the rest. A helmet wrapped in a hood concealed his face—but I could see his eyes. Radiant light gleamed behind him where a magicked blade floated, a twin to the steel in his hands.
There had been no point in yelling—my attacker stood but a pace away. Reese was on the other side of the clearing.
The Solheart raised his blade and took a step toward me.
He didn't make it any further.
A blazing streak of fire tore through the trees and crashed into the Solheart. I shielded my eyes as flame and light burned against the night. Brilliant wings erupted from the flame as a Paragon in white armor rose from the embers.
The Solheart rolled away, ripping off his burning cloak. Reese glanced at him, then me.
His molten gold eyes burned when they noticed my wound. Radiant light intensified around the wings sprouting from his back.
The Solheart laughed, struggling to his feet. "Look who's on the wrong fucking side."
Recognition shone in Reese's eyes. "Alistair?" He hissed.
A wicked grin tore across the Solheart's mouth—and then I saw something soaring through the trees toward Reese's back.
A javelin ripped through the glade, tearing Reese's left arm. It thudded into the tree behind me and shattered into a thousand stones.
Earthborn magic?
These men—they weren't just Solhearts.
Enemies tore through the woods, surrounding us—as though this had been an ambush they'd planned for.
Pain ripped through my side. I was going to die. Falling to my knees, I watched the blood stream down Reese's arm.
And learned what he had meant by 'let go.'
He spun. Light streaked through the air as he summoned his rapier and threw it.
Fire flared around the rapier as it transformed midair, lengthening into a powerful spear.
It slammed into an oncoming foe, tearing a hole in his chest and throwing him to the ground.
A blaze consumed his body instantly—and terrible screams followed.
The wings on Reese's back erupted. Razor-sharp pinions tore through the air like a hail of arrows, ripping through bodies before soaring back to Reese. Light plumed around him as the wings burst from his back again and his rapier shunted back to his grip.
He flew at those who remained—and I learned just why he'd earned his reputation.
Sunlight streamed from his rapier, forging into three golden blades.
They floated at his side, spinning in time with his swings as though wielded by his shadow.
Nothing could break through to him—every man who rushed his side clashed against the phantom blades, every arrow was scorched midair by the fire burning around him.
His weapon shifted seamlessly, from a rapier he thrust through one man's throat, into a flaming spear he threw at an archer.
Fire plumed across the glade, licking my face. I heard the wings burst again as radiant daggers tore through the woods.
I flinched as a body flew away from him and landed beside me with a sickening thud.
Hollow green eyes peered out from the man's helm.
A Stormborn. One of my people, here?
Why?
Gasping, I turned to look behind me.
The Solheart who'd attacked me had found his feet. He was badly burned, armor scorched. His hand reached for his blade, golden-green eyes searing through my skin.
A flaming spear soared over my head. The Solheart barely managed to raise his blade before it reached him. Steel clashed against steel, throwing Alistair backward against a tree.
Reese stalked past me. He flicked his wrist, and his rapier appeared in his grip again.
The Solheart—Alistair—mimicked Reese's motions. The golden blade floating at his side rushed toward my head.
I ducked—fully expecting it to tear through my skull and kill me instantly.
The world fell away, and pain pounded through my body.
But I still drew breath. Opening my eyes, I lifted my head.
Reese knelt over me, wings spread around me like a protective embrace. He rose, eyes wild as he turned back to Alistair.
But the Solheart was gone.
Fire burned everywhere, rising up the trees, clinging to the very snow. I choked, throat burning.
Reese's eyes glowed—but it was like looking at an entirely different person.
Enraged, wild. Pulsing with adrenaline and exhilaration. Searching for his next kill.
'You have to promise to bring me back.'
Blood sprayed from my wound and seeped between my fingers. I choked. Crimson liquid spilled from my mouth.
For the first time in my life, I was dying.
"Reese!" I called, as my vision blurred.
The burning rage in his eyes shattered. The wings on his back dissolved into motes of light, and the overbearing heat fled the air.
Reese fell to my side, eyes darting around for danger.
But nothing save us moved.
Dropping his blade, he pulled me into his lap, tearing my tunic open to get a better look at the wound.
"It's okay," he said, pressing a hand to my wound. "I've got you."
Light streamed from his fingers and seeped into my skin. Scorching agony tore through me, and I thrashed, desperate to escape.
Reese's other arm wrapped around my shoulders, pressing me to his chest. "It's alright!" He said, trying to keep me still.
This was healing magic. It wasn't supposed to hurt.
Ferris had said it felt like a warm embrace. Like a pleasant burning.
Gritting my teeth, I fought to keep still, though I felt like I roasted above a bonfire. I stared ahead, into the night, where the scáde had been.
It was gone. Somewhere beyond the pain, I realized the humming had ceased.
Had the scáde listened to me?
Black spots danced across my vision as the pain overwhelmed me. My head thudded against Reese's chestplate as I lost consciousness.
For a moment, I felt soothed. Safe.
The last thing I saw was ashes falling from the sky, gathering on the pile of corpses.