Abraxaswrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me tight. “Iknow, my love.Butremember what happened last time we rushed things?Weneed a plan.”
Igrumbled, but he was right.Itdidn’t settle the twitching of my fingers.Howthey longed to wrap themselves aroundHadeon’sneck.
Ilooked out over the throne room and the entrance hall.Webrought as many of the wounded in as we could.Allthe palace healers dashed between the makeshift cots we managed to erect, but many of the wounded simply lay on the ground with nothing but a thin cloth between them and the stone.Moreand more people were being carried in by our soldiers by the minute.Ourpeople lay broken and scattered around me, andIcould feel dragonfire licking at my heart and fingertips.
“Easy, little bird.”Abraxasslipped his hand into mine and pulled the flames away before snuffing them out. “Ourvengeance will be swift.Butas you told me, for now, we mustfocus on those in need.”Heplaced his hand on my back, andItook a deep breath, calming myself.Ilet the flames inside me sink into that deep cerulean ocean.
“We’rerunning out of space in here,Abraxas.”Avlynjogged up to us withOryxfollowing close behind.
“Havewe triaged the most heavily wounded inside?” he asked.
Oryxshook his head. “Wehave done our best, but too many keep coming from the city.”
Abraxasfrowned. “Commander, have the eastern cohort break down the market stalls.Seeif we can get more cover in the courtyard.Oryx, keep a tight rotation going, but make sure none of your healers are getting overworked.Itwouldn’t do to have more in need of care.”Thehealer nodded and turned to followAvlynbefore seeming to remember something.Hespun back around and pressed an object into my hand.
“Foryour brother.”Hegave me a quick smile before running back out the main doors.Ilooked down, and for a moment, my heart stopped as the milky liquid shimmered within the glass vial.Butthe liquid was a soft gold, not that translucent whiteIknew.Iclenched my fingers around it.Iwasn’t sure what it was, butItrustedOryx.
“Gofind him,I’llmanage this for now,”Abraxassaid.Inodded and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek before running out into the courtyard.
IfoundJunquickly in the crowd.Hewas ladling water out of a bucket to the gathered refugees.AsIapproached, he looked up. “To… ri…” he said; my name was a barely discernible wheeze.Heturned his head and coughed.Hesounded like he had been screaming for days.
“Jun, maybe you should sit down.”Heshook his head and tapped his throat, indicating he couldn’t speak anymore.
“Oryxgave this to me.Doyou know what it is?”Iheld up thegolden vial, and his smile grew wider.Hesnatched the potion from my hand, uncorking it and downing it beforeIcould take a breath.Helet out a relieved sigh.
“Well,Iguess you knew what it was.”
“Formy throat.”Hisvoice was still hoarse, but he spoke without coughing. “Pallashelped him develop it.”
“I’msure she did.Andwhere is our humble inventor of war instruments?”Raulahad already told me all about the lighthouse.Junshrugged his shoulders.
Ihelped my brother ladle the water.Whenthere was a small break in the line,Iturned to him. “Whatyou did on the bridge was very impressive.”Heturned towards me, about to speak, butIcut him off. “Butit was reckless.Youcould have died!Youare still learning how to control your powers.”
Hismouth snapped shut, and his face froze.Morerefugees came by, andJunbusied himself with helping them.Butafter the fifth cup had been filled, he muttered, “Hypocriticalof you to call me reckless.”
“Iknow what can happen in battle.I’vehad them happen to me.Ican’t have that happening to you.”
“Isaved you all.”Jun’sface was… angry.Itwas an emotion so foreign on himIdidn’t know what to do.
“Jun,I—”
Acheerful laugh pulled our attention back to the line of awaiting patrons.
“Ican’t believe they have theHeroof theBridgeout here slinging water,”Kaleoscalled loudly.
“Ijust wanted to be helpful.”Junasserted, not meeting his gaze.
“Well, you certainly were.Idon’t know where we would be if those fuckers had gotten through the gate.I’dsay you were much more than helpful.Betweenyou and your sister,I’veracked up quite the life debt to the royals ofNiata.”Kaleosgavemy brother that broad, flirtatious smile, but he didn’t see the twinge of fear that rose up inJun’seyes.Isaw him raise his hand to slapJunon the back, as he always did to me.Idove in between them, knockingKaleos’ arm aside.
“Oh…I… uh…”Thesoldier’s smile vanished, andJunsimply looked away, but the silence stretched to the point of pain between us all.
“Well, thank you again,YourHighness.Oncethis is all over, we will properly celebrate your victory.”Kaleosgave a formal bow and ran away.
“Victory, huh?”Junsaid, to no one.
Isighed and slid my pinky intoJun’s. “Kaleosmeans well.”
“Youall do.”Thatwas all he said.
