Page 54 of A Court of Darkness and Dragons

No warmth.

No light.

Only darkness—an empty cold that devoured every frantic thought I sent his way.

My throat closed, with the taste of copper on my tongue. My hands shook where they gripped his shoulders.

“Oh, gods…” My voice was barely a whisper. “What have I done?”

Chapter

Twenty

Ishook his shoulder again, harder this time, my voice breaking. “Zander—come on, you stubborn bastard. Wake up.”

Nothing. Not even the smallest twitch. His skin was cool beneath my fingers, that ashen hue deepening as if he were fading right in front of me.

Boots pounded on the dirt behind me, and then Ferrula dropped to a knee at my side, her shadow falling over us. Riven was right behind her, her braid swinging forward as she crouched low, scanning Zander’s face.

The rest of Thrall Squad fanned out, weapons drawn, their gazes darting to the skies. Kaelith and Hein both kept their heads tilted back, nostrils flaring. We didn’t know if Severeth was truly gone or just circling, gathering her strength. My gut told me it was the latter.

Ferrula’s voice was firm, but there was an urgency in it. “You have to heal him.”

“I can only do that if I give him blood.” My voice came out hoarse, my heart hammering so hard it hurt.

“Then do it,” she said without hesitation. “We are too exposed out here.”

I swallowed, the weight of it pressing into my ribs. “It may take time for him to recover.”

Ferrula’s jaw tightened. “Then it’s time we don’t have.” She glanced toward Kaelith. “Will Kaelith carry him?”

The great purple dragon’s eyes found mine, her mind brushing against my own. I would carry Hein’s rider, but he will fall if he remains unconscious. It is safer to tie him to Hein’s saddle after you give him blood.

Riven cursed under her breath, eyes still flicking upward.

Kaelith’s voice deepened in my head. Narvea’s rider is correct. We need to move. The black dragons will return as soon as Severeth learns how to counter your last strike. And the human army is closing.

My pulse roared in my ears as I bent over Zander again, brushing the hair from his forehead. “Then we do this now.”

I yanked my dagger from its sheath; the steel catching a flash of dull light before I dragged it across my palm. Pain flared hot, but I didn’t flinch. Crimson welled instantly, warm and slick, and I pressed my hand to Zander’s lips.

“Come on,” I whispered, tilting my wrist so the blood dripped into his mouth. The wind carried the copper scent between us, mixing with the smoke and dirt of the battlefield.

Riven made a face. “That’s… kind of gross.”

I didn’t look up. “If it works, you’ll be thanking me later.”

Ferrula smirked, though her eyes stayed locked on the sky. “If it works, we’ll bottle that stuff.”

My gaze flicked to her. “There are side effects.”

Her brows lifted. “Like?”

“He’s tied to me. For all time.” The truth felt heavy in my mouth. We had barely talked about the bond, but it had become part of us.

Ferrula grunted, glancing at Zander’s still face. “He wants to be tied to you, so I don’t see that being a problem.”

Riven arched an eyebrow. “That might be the understatement of the year.”