He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have –whydid you do that–”
“I told you before,” she panted. “I can’t let them hurt you.”
It nearly broke him.
He went to say something else but she cut across him.
“Stop it.” Her hand caught his face, palm warm against his blood-smeared cheek. “Sebastian. Not now. Get us out.”
Her touch dragged him back to his senses.
Get her out.
He swallowed hard and nodded. He threw the saddle over the valmare then helped her up onto it like she was made from glass. He gritted his teeth against the agony in his side, his magic sparking, dulling the pain just enough – giving him the strength to move. He swung into the saddle behind her – one arm locking tight around her waist, the other holding the reins.
“Hold on,” he whispered. “Hold on, Kara.”
Then he kicked the gate open.
And rode hard into the sunrise. The pyre unlit behind them.
CHAPTER 28
SEBASTIAN’S CONFESSION
Karalynna Hale demonstrates exceptional magical aptitude. No injury presented has been beyond her ability to treat.
–Hale Healing Academy, Fifth Year Student Assessment
They rode until the world blurred.
No direction. No plan.
Sebastian’s only thought was escape. To get away from the soldiers, the screams that echoed in his head. He rode through forests, over rocky paths – vaguely towards sunrise. He took them down forgotten trails, through streams to mask their scent. He didn’t dare stop. He was badly injured, and he knew it. He’d stopped casting crimson now – had to – and the pain was getting worse with each mile. If even a few Thorne soldiers caught up, he wouldn’t be able to fight them off. And he had to keep her safe.
Kara.
She sat in front of him, head resting on his shoulder. But she was too still. Too quiet.
“You okay?” he called down to her.
“Fine.” Her voice was faint. Strained.
Not fine.
He pushed the valmare harder, scanning for shelter. They needed to stop. Needed to rest. But not here – not yet. Not until he was sure they weren’t being followed.
Another mile. Then another.
But without warning her weight shifted. She slumped forward. Her breathing shallow.
“Kara?”
No answer.
Ice shot through his veins. He tightened his arm around her to stop her from falling, panic rising. He yanked the reins hard and pushed the valmare off the road into a thicket of brambles and bushes.
Shelter – I need shelter.
