I noticed a shimmer go up around us as the eldest prince erected a shield. I honestly was so impressed by his power. I knew air users made shields, but the strength of Arcane’s were insane. No one could penetrate it.
I relaxed for the first time since coming outside. I hadn’t realized how stiff my body was. All the areas that were throbbing suddenly felt all consuming.
But I didn’t think the youngest Luxian Prince even noticed his brother’s shield.
He was covered in blood. His entire abdomen was drenched in it. He had a burn going up his right arm, a dagger sticking out of his calf, and more bruises and cuts than I could count.
“I need your help,” he panted to his sister. “I need you and Kal to come with me right now—”
“Is the King dead?” Arcane asked, his voice was quiet, but even with all the fighting still going on, we could hear him.
Tezya nodded his head a fraction, like he couldn’t be bothered with answering, even though it was a big fucking deal if he actually killed the King of Lux or not. He didn’t even turn his head to look at his brother. Just nodded like it was nothing. Maybe he was in shock.
I looked at him more closely and realized he was shaking. His eyes were red-rimmed and swollen—
“Brock?” the princess asked, but Tezya cut off her.
“He’s fine. We need to leave now—” He was out of breath, and I half wondered if he ran all the way here. I had no idea where the Goddess Temples were, but judging from his appearance, it couldn’t have been close. Tears welled in his eyes and dread spread through me as the prince’s emotionsclicked. “Help me.Please!” He turned to Kallon who hadn’t spoken yet.
A sinking pit formed in my stomach. My brother wasn’t here. He could have teleported the prince, but he didn’t.
I took a step back. I knew Lilia placed her hand over my arm, but I didn’t feel it. Peter stilled next to me as he shifted back into his Advenian form. The guy had been smiling while fighting this whole time, but now his grin was wiped off his face.
“Who is it?” Peter asked, the color drained from his face. “Which one—”
Peter was friends with Scotlind and Sie, and neither of them were here.
“Both.” He was shaking. I might have been too. “We have to leave right fuckingnow!”
“Tezya, slow down. What exactly do you need?” his sister asked.
“Fly us to them. They’re too far away. Then, Kal, portal them to Tennebris.” I could see the frustration on his face. He was speaking a mile a minute.
He needed them to go to Tennebris—where the healers from Brighta were.
“Have Brock heal them—”
“He fucking tried,” he yelled, cutting her off. “But they’re both dying. Their injuries are…” He paused, letting out a shaky breath. “Please. Brock is trying, but it’s not enough. They won’t make it unless we get them to the healers, and they needed them a fucking hour ago!”
“Are they still alive, Tezya?” Kallon’s voice was soft, gentle, but I didn’t miss what she was insinuating. She thought Tezya was delusional, trying desperately to save something that was too late. Maybe it was…
“Barely.” His voice cracked. “Please… the more time we waste here, the less of a chance they have.”
“Okay,” Dovelyn said, and I could have hugged her. “I’ll fly you back to them.”
He turned toward Kallon. It wouldn’t matter if Dove flew Sie and Scottie back. They needed the healers in Tennebris…
“Kallon,” Tezya’s voice broke and sobs wrecked him. “Please help me. I can’t… I can’t lose her… Please.”
“Do it,” I pleaded along with the prince. “Sie’s the only family I have left…”
I didn’t care how close to death he was, if there was any chance of my brother surviving, they had to do it. The Fire Prince’s silver eyes slid to me. It was so quick, I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
“Please,” Tezya choked. “Please, Kal. They’re dying.”
“Raeya…” Kallon murmured, and I knew she was hesitating. I entered her mind, erasing the hundreds of soldiers from view. But in reality, even with the King dead, we were still fucked. The soldiers didn’t stop fighting, but she didn’t need to know that. I used my illusion to make it look like they were backing off, like news of the King’s death was spreading.
“I’ll be fine,” Raeya said, squaring her shoulders. “Rainer is with me.”
