Page 89 of On Broken Bonds

Thorian sees it too. His expression hardens. "You need to get him out of here."

I blink. "What?"

Thorian points directly at Fenric. "He can't keep this pace."

"I'm fine," Fenric insists.

The statement is immediately undermined when his knees nearly buckle again.

I catch him before he falls. The effort sends pain shooting through my shoulders.

"You're not fine," I snap.

"Go," Thorian says.

The single word lands like a punch.

"No."

His eyes find mine. "Nyx."

"No."

Because now I understand what he's saying. What he's planning.

My stomach drops. "We stay together."

"We can't."

Another explosion rocks the forest. It’s closer this time. Pieces of burning bark rain down around us.

Thorian glances toward the sound, trying to determine how much time we have left. Not much, judging by his expression.

"Go," he repeats. "I'll hold them off."

My chest tightens.

"Thorian—"

"I'll catch up."

"You don't know that."

The words come out sharper than I intended. For a second, something flashes across his face. Something gentle. Then it's gone.

"Nyx."

The way he says my name makes my throat ache.

I don't want to leave him. I don't want to walk away. Not after the swamp. Not after the kisses. Not after finally realizing how much he means to me.

Another fireball slams into a tree nearby. The trunk explodes.

Fenric flinches violently beside me. Then he nearly collapses again.

Reality crashes back down. If we stay here arguing, Fenric dies. If the warlocks catch us now, Fenric dies.

The realization is brutal. Because it means Thorian is right. I hate that he's right.