Chapter 23 #2
Shadows surge up from the dirt, crawling toward the inferno. I can only stare as the black tendrils coil higher, smothering flame after flame until the fire itself seems to recoil.
“You almost burned out.”
The words drag my gaze back to Rian. My pulse spikes when I realize how close his lips are to mine.
“Burned out?” I lean my head back and swallow. “What’s that?”
His eyes dip to my mouth, lingering. “Something that happens when too much magic is wielded at once. You need to train to prevent it from happening again.”
A huff escapes me, an attempt to hide the shiver that races down my spine. “Let me guess…you’re volunteering?”
His head lowers, and the faintest shadow of a challenge flickers. “Why is that funny?”
My pulse stutters. “Because you’re leaving in two days.”
“Only if you keep your end of our deal.”
I fist his tunic, the rough fabric anchoring me. “I will.”
I can’t fail… I refuse.
His stare sharpens.
Then he abruptly asks, “Why did you run into that building?”
“The natchling looked like a little boy. I thought he was trapped. I couldn’t stand by and not help.”
“No,” he murmurs, softer, but no less intense. “You couldn’t, could you, Sunshine?”
His lips twist with wry disdain. “Yet another one of your insufferable qualities.”
My lips twitch.
Then fatigue hits like a crashing wave.
My head grows heavy, and my neck muscles give out. My temple rests against Rian’s chest, right above my hand still gripping his shirt. His heartbeat drums wildly beneath my ear.
The next words tumble out of my mouth, unbidden, compelled by something deeper than reason. “I promise I’m okay.”
His chest rises with a deep breath, and his heartbeat slows. “The Mother clearly watches over you.”
“It’s my Gods I should thank,” I murmur, struggling to keep my eyelids open. “I went to the temple earlier today.”
“Ah. Notice anything interesting while you were there?”
I manage to tilt my head back and search his face. Piercing eyes gleam with something dangerous. Knowing.
“Fae words,” I whisper.
He nods once, not surprised.
Of course not.
“How?” I ask.
“Use that pretty head of yours.” He leans closer, his breath a soft caress against my lips. “You’re clever enough to figure it out.”
Gods…
Is he… Is he going to kiss me?
Shadows writhe restlessly across my arms. My magic pulses hot and urgent in my core, momentarily overshadowing my fatigue.
Olyra, help me… Do I want him to kiss me?
My fingers curl tighter in his tunic. His dark eyes flash silver once more, then they darken.
A gnawing hunger sears away all reason, shoving aside the part of me that knows this is reckless.
A lock of hair slips across his brow as his head dips toward me. My heart kicks against my ribs. I tug him closer.
His lips hover so near I taste the spice of his breath.
I lift my chin.
“Elara!”
The voice cleaves through the lust-filled haze like cold steel.
My breath stutters, and I tear my hands free of Rian’s tunic and shove at his chest.
He doesn’t budge…until he chooses to, leaning back with slow, deliberate control. His eyes remain locked with mine, as dark as midnight, while he lowers his arm and takes a single step away.
Lev races around the corner, uniform filthy, hair standing on end. Relief ignites in his wild eyes the moment they find me.
“Elara! Thank the Gods.” He storms forward and yanks me into his arms. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
One hand cradles the back of my head, pressing my face into the crook of his neck. I exhale slowly, sliding my hands to rest on his waist.
Boots crunch behind him. A glance reveals they belong to General Ironheart.
The leader appears as disheveled as his son, yet his expression is composed as he sizes up the Fae before him. Three soldiers stand behind him, wary and tense.
Lev tightens his hold. “Someone said you ran into a burning house. Are you hurt? How did you get out?”
Someone saw?
Why didn’t they come to help?
“She jumped,” Rian states.
Lev jerks back, blinking at the Fae, then gapes at me. “You jumped?”
More like fell…
I press my lips together and nod.
His handsome face twists, and his jaw clenches. “Are you insane? Do you wish to meet Velmira before your time? Why would you run into a fire?”
“I…” My gaze flickers to Rian, but I hesitate.
The truth about the boy—the monster—burns in my throat, but my gut says I shouldn’t share the information. Not here. Not now.
I meet Lev’s narrowed eyes. “I thought I heard someone calling for help. I…I was wrong.”
“Of course you were wrong.” General Ironheart steps forward; the three soldiers with him remain where they are. “We cleared everyone from these homes before the fire spread.”
My magic stirs, prickling in my veins, restless at the general’s condescending tone. I clamp it down, praying it doesn’t flare.
“What is he doing?” Ironheart asks, eyes flicking to Draven.
The Fae’s body trembles as he focuses on the blaze.
“Helping,” Rian clips out, shadows rolling across his shoulders.
“And I could use some assistance when you have a second,” Draven grits out, jaw tight.
Rian glances at his friend, then gestures sharply. Shadows launch from his hands like arrows, precise and deadly, merging with Draven’s own darkness.
The night itself seems to bend, pulling more shadow over the lingering flames until the last ember of the inferno dies.
Cheers and terrified shrieks erupt from the main street on the other side of the charred homes.
Ironheart’s expression is unreadable, but Lev and the other soldiers stare, mouths slack. The Fae’s display was both magnificent and terrifying—a reminder of how powerless humans are against their magic.
“Wow,” Lev mutters.
His arm around me loosens.
I step out of his hold.
“Amazing, right?” I say, catching Rian’s stare. My heart thuds, and I tear my gaze away.
Ironheart clears his throat. “Thank you, my lords. Verdanthia is in your debt.”
“Thank Elara,” Draven interjects, arms crossed, once again the untouchable Fae. “She requested our help.”
I did?
“Indeed?” The general’s gaze lands on me.
I resist the urge to fidget.
Rian shifts closer, just enough that the heat of his body brushes my side. Draven mirrors him on my other side.
The general’s nostrils flare, but his words remain polished. “The Elders would reprimand me if I did not invite you to the celebration tomorrow night. As thanks for your noble actions tonight.”
The Elders would do no such thing.
I clamp my lips together to hold back the words.
Lev bristles, unable to show the same control. “That’s not—”
“We will be there,” Rian interrupts, clipped and decisive, ignoring Lev entirely.
The general inclines his head, mouth hardening before he turns away.
And me? I’m caught between two Fae, facing my oldest friend and lover, who watches me with uncertainty and a hint of betrayal I don’t deserve.
The moment is so stark, so brutally symbolic of everything that’s changed in just a few days…
My stomach twists. Something inside me tears in two, and I don’t know if either half will survive what comes next.