Page 114 of Infernal Bonds

“I dunno,” Zeke mumbled.

Ezra sat next to him on the bed. “Let me check. Give me your arm. Your shoulder is already mending, and you’re coherent enough not to fight me.” When Zeke extended his arm, Ezra bit into it without hesitation.

The tense seconds waiting for a verdict on the curse stretched into what felt like an eternity before Ezra released Zeke’s arm and looked at us.

“The curse is gone. His headache is likely similar to a hangover.”

Rae collapsed forward and tucked her arms beneath Zeke, hugging him tight as she rested her head on his chest. His eyes widened, and he looked around at each of us with panic.

I crossed my arms. “You weren’t doing so hot when we found you on the path.”

Rae sniffed but remained silent when Zeke wrapped his arms around her, putting a hand on the back of her head.

Cyn looked down at them, and the jealousy and agitation I expected to see cross his face never surfaced. Again, I wondered what had happened between them out in Feranzis.

“Young Masters,” a voice called from the door. “Your presence is required in the council’s chambers.”

Ezra rose to his feet. “We’ll be there in a moment, Ranthus.” He looked down at Rae and Zeke. “Stay with him for now. We’ll come back for you both.”

“Apologies, Young Master. Master Cornaith has requested your Nyrith’s attendance as well.”

Cyn’s lip curled, and I put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

“I’m coming too,” Zeke said as Rae sat up and climbed off him.

“What? No.” Cyn’s brows lowered. “You’re in no condition to face them.”

“I’m not leaving Rae there.”

“We’ll be there,” I said, hoping to reassure him.

“But I won’t be.”

Ezra cleared his throat. “If you start to feel unwell, you inform Cyn immediately so he can get you to a vallant for treatment.”

Cyn looked between them. “He’s not well now.”

“He deserves to be there if that’s his wish.”

“We’ll protect him,” I said, squeezing Cyn’s shoulder. “Both of them.”

Cyn’s gaze connected with Rae’s for a moment before he looked away. He knew what I meant. We wouldn’t let Cornaith hurt her. Not while I still had life left in my body.

And while there was much we hadn’t been able to protect Zeke from, our experiences with Rae and Cholian made me realize that remaining passive and not fighting back was just as bad as inflicting the harm ourselves.

I wouldn’t stand aside while someone I loved suffered at the hands of Cornaith again.

Even if I knew fighting him would be futile, I wouldn’t make it easy for him.

“Someone needs to check on Cyn,” Rae said as Zeke got out of bed.

“What?” I glanced between her and Cyn. “Why? He seems fine.”

“I don’t know if the curse is still there. We almost lost him.”

Ezra stepped forward. “Lost him how?”

“He was just… I don’t know how to describe it.” She looked to Zeke for help.