My Mark had flared, burning against my forehead, and I’d sucked in a deep breath. Moving away from Gabriel in this state had physically hurt, and I’d considered arguing, but in the end, I’d acquiesced and gone into the bathing room, giving them the requested space.
Eva had knocked on the door to let me know when they’d finished their treatment, and I’d hurried back to the Hunter’s side. Save for the healers’ visits, I haven’t left him at all.
At least the rebels had been willing to help Gabriel. It seemed seeing him cut down dozens of the king’s soldiers during thebattle had earned him the rebels’ trust, because no one hesitated when I screamed for help.
Gabriel had fought as though he’d been born to wield a sword. If I hadn’t known he was using his nondominant hand, I never would’ve guessed. One with his weapon, he’d been all power and lethal grace, taking down the soldiers who dared get close to me.
And they’d tried. Gods fucking save me, they’d tried.
A chill sweeps down my spine, and goosebumps pepper my flesh as I recall the way the king’s men had unilaterally focused their attention on me. Fear had held me in its grasp when one of the soldiers declared the king had wanted me alive, and its claws had tightened when I took in the violence in our opponents’ gazes.
They’d wanted me, but Gabriel had stopped them. He and Mist had been a team to behold, fighting in unison. I’d never seen anyone work together as they had. They had been two, but one. When Mist needed help, the Hunter was there. When Gabriel was in danger, his bonded familiar had his back.
They had fought, as had I.
I’d never felt anything as exhilarating as the rush that had flowed through me when I had finally reached within myself and released my magic. Using it on purpose felt different from before. As though all of me, including parts I’d never known existed, came alive.
Every breath had been deeper; every sound, clearer; every color, brighter.
Magic had poured out of me. Between the anger in my veins and directions from the Marked Ones by my side, I’d fought. A few of my shots had gone awry, and I certainly wasn’t as adept at wielding my power as the Marked rebels, but I hadn’t been waiting, putting my fate in other people’s hands.
For the first time in my life, I’d felt like I had a purpose. A reason for being. I hadn’t just been Wren, the gods-blessed waiting to be Given, nor had I been standing on the sidelines. I had been actively using my magic, and it had feltgood.
At the end of the battle, after the last soldier had been killed, I’d felt a moment of pure joy. We’d done it. Even though weariness pulled at my bones, I’d felt like I could do anything. Even running, if I had to.
And then I’d seen Gabriel and the deep wounds that had been inflicted upon him. I’d screamed as he fell, grabbing his arms before he collapsed face first in the bloody snow.
“You scared me half to death, Gabriel,” I murmur, pulling my mind out of my memories and returning my attention to the Hunter. “And you’re still scaring me. I really need you to wake up.”
Squeezing his fingers one last time, I press a kiss to his hand.
“I promise, I will remain by your side.” The words settle between us, and I swear that bond between us grows stronger. It’s still there even though he’s asleep, and its presence is the only thing giving me strength. “No matter where we are, no matter what happens, I’ll be with you.”
“There’s still no change in his condition,” Eva confides in me a week later.
The healer’s face is drawn, and bags are under her eyes. I don’t blame her for being tired—everyone is, after a week of walking through endless dark, winding tunnels. Moving a whole community is an enormous undertaking, and leaving the mountain hideout behind has been slow going.
My fingers tremble around the handle of my lantern. “But heishealing, right?”
“Yes, even the worst of his wounds are nearly gone. He’ll have scars, but he will live.”
If he wakes up.
The healers have been giving Gabriel enchanted water, which supposedly contains all the nutrients he needs to survive in this there-but-not-there state, but I don’t know how much longer he can last like this.
Eva’s silent words swirl all around us, and I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Okay, thank you.” Gallan has already disappeared down the dark tunnels, probably to help someone else, and I sigh. “Is there something I should be doing that might help?”
At this point, I’d do anything to hear my Hunter’s voice again.
Eva shakes her head. “No. Stay with him. Talk to him if you can and remind him that you’re here.”
A cry comes from down the tunnel. The ground is uneven, and children have been slipping on rocks for days, cutting themselves and keeping the healers busy.
Eva stiffens, glancing in the direction of the sound, and her fingers tighten around her bag of supplies. “I have to go. Be strong, Wren.”
She keeps telling me that, and I’m trying, but each day when Gabriel doesn’t wake feels harder than the last.
I don’t have time to worry, though, because word comes from the front of the caravan that we’re about to start moving. I adjust my boots, grateful Skyler found me the footwear before we left, and I take my place beside the wagon for another dreary day of walking.
