Kyor and Ruben work together, Ruben holding out my limbs as Kyor pulls clothing onto me. Dressed, I’m still cradled in Ruben’s arms. His heating magic is still doing its thing, warming me even through my clothes now that they’re dry too. I open my eyes again.
‘Just to be clear,’ Benny mutters, ‘I helped drag a dire wolf out of a deadly mire, carried Rose out of a freezing river, and yetIremain tragically unhugged.’
Abruptly, Kyor stands, stalks to Benny, and drags him forward by his shirt.
‘Hey! I?—’
Benny falls silent as Kyor throws his armsaround him and hugs him fiercely. He holds Benny tightly, as if he might squeeze the life out of him. Then he releases him and shoves him away.
Benny stands there for a second, stunned, then scrubs a hand over his face.
‘You’re still not forgiven,’ Kyor growls out and stalks back to me. He picks me up, out of Ruben’s warming arms, and carries me closer to the fire.
‘Rest now, Thorn,’ he murmurs for my ears alone. Well, and Loch’s, too. ‘I’ve got you now.’
A gentle shakeof my shoulder awakens me. ‘Here, drink this,’ Thessa says. ‘It will help stop a fever.’
If my brain were properly switched on, I would at least ask what it is she’s handing me, but while my body may have its energy returning, my mind is still struggling to catch up. I take the proffered cup and sip. The instant the liquid touches my lips, I recognise some of the flavours. Fennel. Mint. Not a tonic per se, but healing nonetheless.
As the contents slip down my throat, the fog in my brain starts to clear. Hesitantly, I start to sit up.
‘Careful,’ Kyor says, his hands steadying me as I move. ‘You used a lot of magic, and you were in that water for a long time. Your body’s going to need a chance to recover.’
‘I’m okay. I think.’ My eyes open fully, and I see that I’m sat in Kyor’s arms, and my other friends are spread out around the fire. All eyes are on me in a way that makes me faintly uncomfortable.
A thought hits me like one of Kyor’s lightning strikes, and I twist in his arms to seek out his eyes. When those pale cerulean irises meet mine, a thousand emotions flood me, but only one word leaves my lips.
‘Fen?’ I ask him.
Kyor presses his lips together. ‘I assumed you’d already know the answer to that one.’
I pinch the bridge of my nose, frowning.
And then I remember ringed olive-green eyes.
Hello, Little Raven.Fen’s voice is warm in my mindas I gape.
Fen and I … we … we’ve bonded?
I reel in disbelief and wonder. It is the only explanation, no matter how impossible it is.
How is it possible? Fen already bonded with Zelle and was destined for death. How can we have bonded instead?
You risked your life for me. The Gods saw that as enough. Sawyouas enough. As did I.
It shouldn’t be possible.I say the words wonderingly to myself. Or at least I assume I do until Fen’s reply comes through.
All things are impossible until they are done once,he says simply.
‘This is insane. Insane,’ I mutter, eyes wide as I stare at Kyor.
Why does the fact that you are worthy of a bond surprise you?his voice questions inside my head.You are far more special than many of the knights of Wrohelm.He sniffs.After all, I know there is at least one you never considered deserving of the honour.
Holden.
He’s right. Of course he is. Not once did I think Holden should have been bestowed with the honour of bonding with a dire wolf, but the fact that Fen knows this … How much does he know of me? Of my life?
I know what touches you most deeply. The rest will come, he replies before I’ve even asked a question.As eventually you will know of me.
