Page 117 of The Blade in the Ashes
I turned towards the window. The walk to the front door seemed too far. I’d save a few minutes if I just jumped straight into the air from here. Wasting any time at all was stupid while she was in danger.
When she needed me.
I had let her down once before, left her behind in that castle to suffer at the hands of Hyrax and Caldrius. I wouldn't let any amore harm come to her.
Elaina reached out to stop me, her own fingertips as black as mine. “You need to take reinforcements with you! You don’t even know what you’re walking into.”
She was probably right, but if the fear on Camilla’s face was any indication, there wasn’t any time to gather reinforcements. I needed to go to her now.
“Think like a king!” Elaina screamed when I turned towards the window once more and something inside of me broke.
That edge of my sanity that had been fraying more and more each time I had to balance my title with my love for her snapped.
“I am!” I roared back at her, raising my voice at her for the first time in my life, painfully aware of how wildly desperate I sounded. “I am thinking like a king, Elaina. Athenia needs Thea right now. Not only is she the best asset we have in this war, but I swear to you right now that if that woman dies, I will destroy this kingdom myself.”
Her eyes widened as she stumbled back, not able to believe the confession that had just poured from my panicked lips.
But Gods, it was true.
As much as it shouldn’t be, it was. There was no point to any of this without her.
I didn’t want this kingdom or this crown without her.
I didn’t want to live without her.
And so without her... there would be nothing else.
I jumped from the window, glass shattering around me as my dragon tore out of my human form, and the sound of my wings beating in the air was like thunderous promises that I was on my way. I was coming for her.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Thea
The arms that circled my waist were like a vice as they pulled me tightly against a firm chest. I hissed my frustration, throwing all my weight into kicking and stomping, but those arms only tightened further, squeezing against my rib cage until it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Nessira burst from the woods only moments after me, taking in the scene in an instant before immediately moving to sprint towards me. My name was a desperate cry from her lips as her hands sparked into burning plumes of orange flame.
I struggled to keep my breathing steady as I glanced wildly around us, taking in the five men that seemed to surround us from all angles.
“No!” I wailed, just as the man to her left threw out his fist.
His blow connected with Nessira’s jaw with such merciless force that her body went flying to the ground. All the air in my lungs seemed to escape in a single shuddered gasp as I watched her crash down.
The only sound she made was a whimper before she attempted to push back to her feet.
“Take care of the beasts,” the man holding me ordered. Numbly, I recognized the voice as George’s as he leaned his head down to mine, “You are going to make me a fortune, little lady.”
I craned my neck as far away as I could. His breath was uncomfortably hot against my cheek, reeking of something rotten, as he laughed at Nessira struggling to find her balance. She pushed up, only to fall again.
“What about this one?” his companion demanded, staring down at Nessira with a predatory hunger. Without warning, he snapped down, grabbing her hair and pulling her up to her knees. She cried out, magic flooding instantly to her fingertips again as she clawed against his hold.
The fire caught on his shirtsleeve, and he released her instantly, desperately patting out the flames while stringing together an arrangement of expletives that made my stomach turn. Nessira rushed to her feet again, still awkwardly off balance from the blow to her head.
“Run!” I told her.
George throttled me, nearly lifting my feet off the ground as he did. “Shut up!”
Still, I implored her with my eyes to flee, to get out of here while she still had the chance. They wanted me alive in order to claim their prize at the castle. They wouldn't hurt me, at least not badly. If Nessira escaped now, she could still go to Eagirton. She could find Clay and the others and bring help.
