Page 125 of The Last Storm
“Rogue! Do not leave me here! Bring me back down!” Her fists were clenched at her sides and I averted my gaze.
Guilt ate at me, crawling up my throat and choking off my breath, but I couldn’t leave her down here to struggle through the flashbacks within the swarms of men and swords. I couldn’t. I could survive with her hating me, but I couldn’t survive her death.
Clenching my jaw, I landed by Doran and drew my sword.
He spoke without looking away from the tree line. “Did you just—”
“Yep.”
He nodded. “That was a bold move.”
“Yep.”
He nodded again and left it at that.
Facing the tree line, we waited, every muscle taut as a bowstring.
* * *
Ara
My chest heaved as he landed by Doran.
How dare he?The people from Nautia—mypeople—were here to stand byme, and yet, I was up here. Safe. While they were on the ground, prepared to lay down their lives to safeguard their people. Just as I was.
My blood boiled as he refused to look in my direction.
But then the screaming resumed and my mind cleared of any rational thoughts, spiraling me into chaotic darkness. My hands cupped over my ears to muffle the sounds and it was replaced by my thundering heartbeat. Sweat broke out along my spine.
Things that remind me of calm.
Calm.
I frantically searched for something calmer than me, anything, but the only sounds were that of death. My eyes were glued to the tree line. There was no avoiding it.
I was losing grip. I couldn’t pull my eyes away. Couldn’t turn away.
My vision tunneled.
A hand gently rested on my shoulder and warmth flowed from it. A choked sob escaped me as I turned to meet Iaso’s golden eyes.
“It’s okay, child,” she whispered and pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.”
I inhaled a shaky breath and then another and another. My heart rate slowed and my chest opened up, accepting air again.
Opening my eyes again, I looked over Iaso’s shoulder to see a dainty, orange butterfly floating towards me.Calm.I forced my eyes to follow it as it fluttered about. Hesitantly, I reached a finger out. It landed lightly, slowly opening and closing its wings.
This reminded me of calm. The simplicity of it. She had no worries, no concerns, but at the same time, we had the same purpose. To survive.
“We’re not so different, you and I,” I whispered and she stilled, before lifting back into the air and drifting away. My eyes followed her as she flew over the cliff edge and movement caught my eye.
Humans.
They exited the tree line, staggering and bleeding. Their faces fell at the sheer number of Fae.
It was starting.
Clenching my fists and forcing myself to breathe, I walked to the edge of the cliff.
