Something between pain, relief, and frustration. He nuzzled into her fading warmth and pressed a kiss to the pulse point at her collarbone.
They stayed that way until the skies stopped weeping, and when her breaths evened out and she fell asleep—still cradling his head—he looked to the clouds and prayed for the first time in nearly twelve hundred years.
Not to the Destroyer.
To her.
His starlight.
When Kailorien returned to camp that night riding Astenos with a sleeping Auryn seated in front of him, his men were quiet. Subdued. None had seen what happened, but they’dfeltit.
The blast from Auryn’s powers had leveled the grasslands, splintered trees, uprooted ancient stone. The wagons in the camp had taken some damage—overturned, supplies scattered like entrails. A few Reskala had tied ropes to them, working together to pull them back upright.
The Reskala looked at the girl in his arms not with fear but with awe. Something far more dangerous. Kailorien dismounted and left Astenos and the other horse with one of his men. Without a single word, he made his way to the Commander’s tent. Some of the Reskala made to approach. Thessia hovered at a distance, her violet eyes questioning, her stance rigid and controlled.
He acknowledged none of them.
Only one voice dared to cut the air.
“Resh.”
Zarrek, waiting by the Commander’s tent, arms crossed, golden eyes unreadable. He’d likely been watching the ridgeline for a while.
Kailorien didn’t stop.
“She all right?” Zarrek asked, voice low.
“She’s cold,” Kailorien replied, not breaking stride.
It was all he said.
All hecouldsay in that moment.
Zarrek followed him to the tent without pushing further.
Inside, the hearth had gone out. The furs were still tossed from the night before. He removed her satchel from his shoulder and set it on the table.
Kailorien stood in the center of the life he’d built with her over just a few short months and ground his teeth so hard they hurt. He laid her down on his cot, placing his hand over her chest.
Her heart beat steadily.
Still with him.
“You need anything?” Zarrek asked, not missing a single thing.
“No.”
The word was soft. Final.
“She just needs warmth. Time.”
Zarrek sighed. “I asked ifyouneeded anything.”
A beat passed. Then Kailorien spoke, so quiet it was almost a breath. “Zar, I can’t take her to Krystopolis.”
The warrior ran his hand over his bald head. “You sent the hawks to Maradryn. Response should be coming soon.”
“I can’t go with her. If I do, I’ll never return to the city.”
