“When?” Leif asked.
“When she returns. There’s awhen, isn’t there, Yelena?” Ari asked.
“The only way to keep him in the fire world is if I stay, too.”
Anger blazed. No bloody way was she sacrificing her life.
“There has to be another way,” Leif said. “You always manage to produce ingenious plots.”
“Not this time,” Yelena said. She sounded tired and defeated.
Silence ensued.
Gale gave Valek a confused look and whispered, “What are you waiting for?”
“What if we can’t counter the warpers?” Leif asked.
“My cue,” he said to Gale, then called to the group, “Then you’d better have a person who’s unaffected by magic on your side.”
Gale rolled her eyes. “Are you always this dramatic?”
“Only when I come back from the dead,” he snarked. Then to the others, “Although, this time I would appreciate it if you didn’t leave me behind.” He stepped into view.
They stared at him as if he was a ghost. Yelena gaped in disbelief and tentatively reached out. He pulled her into his arms, and she pressed against him. Time stilled as they breathed as one. The worry and anxiety of the past week melted away.
The others disappeared and when he kissed her, Valek poured his heart and soul into that kiss. Yelena hugged him harder as if she’d received the message. Pain ringed his chest.
He pulled away, breathless. “Easy, love.” The words turned into a coughing fit.
“How did you survive the fire?” she asked. “The roof collapsed, and you didn’t…”
“Two things happened at once.” He explained how the beam crashed down and they fell into the root cellar. Valek rubbed his ribs and grimaced.
“You’re hurt and I can’t heal you!”
“Just bruised.” He ran a hand gently over his head. A healing gash marked the right side of his head. When he’d found a mirror, he’d cut his hair. The Commander would be pleased to see it was now military regulation short.
“Why didn’t I see you the next morning? Why didn’t you call out?”
His hand went to his ribs again. “I didn’t have enough air to yell, and Gale needed all her strength to keep us alive.”
“Why couldn’t she blow the fire out? Or save the children?”
“Her powers are limited. It’s all part of her weather dancing thing.” He gestured past the wagon, where Gale held Onyx’s and Topaz’s reins. “You can ask her. I’ve brought her along.” When he saw Yelena’s questioning look, he added, “We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
“Did you learn anything else?” she asked him.
“Yes. Finding clothes when you’re half naked is harder than you think. And scared horses can travel pretty far in the wrong direction before you find them.” He studied the group of horses. “Onyx and Topaz are fast, but there’s nothing like a Sandseed horse when you’re in a hurry. And despite your detour to Booruby, love, I had a hard time catching up.”
“You could have found a way to tell me you were all right. I’ve spent the last week in utter misery.”
“Now you know how I felt when you jumped into the stable fire. And you know how I’ll feel if you don’t come back from fighting the Fire Warper.”
She opened her mouth then closed it. “You were eavesdropping.”
“I had hoped to hear everyone discussing how much they missed my altruistic qualities, my legendary skills as a fighter and as a lover.” He leered. “Instead, you’re making plans for tomorrow. Interesting how life goes on in spite of itself.”
Valek sobered and stared at her intently. “With all that planning, love, I’m sure you can figure a way to return.”
