29. Revi
With Kienna’s departure, Revi’s legs gave out. He slumped down onto the bed, digging his claws in.
He had known the cost of the magic, but knowing and actually experiencing it were two different things. He rested his head on his paws, waiting for the weakness to pass. Waiting for a semblance of strength to return to him. It was only a few minutes before he tried to rise again. He made it off the bed, but on his first step across the floor, he collapsed, a pulse of pain shooting through him. It wasn’t just the stabbing discomfort of moving while weakened. It was a lightning-hot agony that spread throughout his whole body.
A snarl escaped him. There was something deeply wrong about this pain. Dread rooted itself in his chest. What had he done? Had Kienna used more magic from such a distance despite his warning of the danger? He’d trusted her with his name, his true name. Perhaps she had already betrayed him. The thought tore through him, causing almost as much torment as the physical sensation. He had trusted a human with his name and… his heart. He desperately hoped this wasn’t him living to regret that.
He lay on his side, chest heaving, for an indeterminate amount of time. Every time he thought to move, another wave of agony staggered through him. It felt like the very life was being ripped from him, leaving him with nothing but deep, clawing emptiness.
Enlo. He had to find Enlo. If he didn’t, he was certain this rending inside him would tear him apart. He needed his cousin. He needed other magic to shore up his defenses until this passed and his strength returned. He dug his claws into the floor and forced himself to his feet. His vision clouded; he nearly blacked out when he tried to take a step forward.
He paused and waited until he was steady, and then he took another step, and another. Slowly, so slowly, making his way out toward the entrance hall of the castle. His head spun too much to try to process where he might find Enlo. But if he could just get out there, maybe he could at least find a servant who could fetch Enlo for him.
But he’d sent the healers away, and the skeleton crew of servants were probably off completing their morning duties, for he found no one. He started in the direction of the kitchens; that was his best hope, where he was most likely to find help.
He was leaning against the wall in the hallway just off the dining room when Enlo found him.
“Cousin,” Revi rasped. “My magic. I need—” Talking made his head spin even worse. He paused and gulped in a breath of air. Enlo hurried forward, an axe held loosely in his hand. Revi was too weak and disoriented to wonder about that.
He tried to straighten, swaying on his feet slightly as Enlo approached.
Enlo’s expression was twisted, grim. “I’m sorry, cousin.”
Revi started again, barely hearing Enlo’s words. He needed to explain so Enlo would know how to help him. “Something is wrong with my—”
He cut off sharply as Enlo sprang forward, swinging the axe at Revi’s head.