They were alive … and swimming toward me.
I surfaced, my breath shallow, sending ripples across the water. then their heads popped through. “What happened?” I managed, swimming toward them. “How did you get the cage open?”
Tara kept an arm under Esme’s frail torso, swimming with her toward the edge of the lake. “Ciaran. He bent the metal bars back.” Tara cast a worried look as he lagged behind us. “He’s losing blood in that arm though. We need to get him help and soon.”
Thank the gods for Ciaran. If he hadn’t been here ...
I shuddered at the thought.
Amahle helped us out of the water, then I caught Esme in my arms, embracing her with a sob. “I’m so sorry, Esme,” I managed, dipping my forehead against hers. “I’m so sorry it took us this long to save you.”
“I’m okay,” she whispered, teeth chattering. “I’m all right, Seren.” Her voice was small. Too small. And she wouldn’t quite meet my eyes.
I swallowed hard, pretending to believe her, and grasped her shoulders. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, I’m okay,” Esme repeated, her face drawn and tired.
I nodded mutely, too overcome with emotion to speak, then Tara and I helped her stand.
“We have to get out of here,” Amahle said, her voice urgent, her eyes dark with worry. “Your husband lit the whole place on fire.”
I had to stop him. Handing Esme over to Tara, I bolted, flying past the bodies and mud between Rykr and me. The roar of fire and screams melted into a low, distant hum. My body felt distant, sluggish. The poison. Solric’s light, how much time did I even have left? As I reached Rykr, I grabbed his elbow.
But something inside me hesitated.
What if I didn’t stop him?
What if I let him burn Emberstone to the ground?
No. Gods, no. This isn’t who we are. This isn’t who I love. “Rykr. Stop. It’s finished now.”
A wet trail moved from the corner of my mouth, and I wiped it away, seeing the blood on the back of my hand before I tasted it.
Rykr turned sharply, his eyes glowing red, sending fear spiraling through me.
The man I loved was in there.
He had to be.
But standing in the center of this inferno, flames curling around his shoulders like a mantle of destruction, he looked more like a god of destruction than the man I loved.
I rose to the tips of my toes and kissed him. “Stop,” I begged. “Please stop.”
The redness faded from his eyes, then Rykr’s arm tightened around my waist. He blinked down at me. “Seren.” Sweeping me into his arms, he strode across the Havamal through pockets of smoke and flame.
He stopped in front of my friends. “Get her out of here,” Rykr ordered Ciaran, handing me over to my friend. “Out of the Havamal and out of Emberstone. Don’t stop and for gods’ sake, don’t wait for me. I’m going after Haldron—ending this once and for all.”
“No!” I gasped, reaching for Rykr. Ciaran held me close, though, his grip as strong as iron. “No, please.”
“Let me help you,” Amahle’s voice was low, her dark eyes appealing to Rykr. “You can’t do it alone.” But she was wounded too, blood continuing to seep from the gash on her leg.
“No, I have to do this alone. Go, now.” Rykr set a hand on Ciaran’s shoulder. “Please. Guard her with your life.”
Rykr turned to go.
“No, Rykr, no.” I pushed away from Ciaran feebly. “No, don’t do this. I love you.”
He bent near me and kissed my forehead. “And I love you. Now get out of here.”
