Page 154 of The Ashborn

Danek let go of the torrent blowing Umbrin back and channeled it toward Broan, propelling him into the air. Broan nearly pissed himself as he flew up, but he wouldn’t let Danek outshine him. Fuck that. Broan yelled a battle cry and dove toward the earth. When he landed, his fist crashed so deeply into the rubble of the desolate city that the earth quaked, crumbling the archways. Danek stumbled then steadied, but Baila fell into a crevice opening within the ground. Good fucking riddance. Now, if she would only let go of the vines holding her in place, she could fall into the pits of whatever underworld prepared itself for her.

The fucking pretty boy had other plans. He lowered to reach his hand out to Baila. Broan let go of the magic quaking the earth, watching as the portals closed and the Umbrin stepping through them were sliced in half. Why did it seem like they were not ridding themselves of this dead army so easily?

“What are you doing, Brother?” Broan asked. “Let her fucking die.”

“She’ll pull herself out in the end,” Danek said as the world stilled. “Keep watch for Connak, would you?”

Broan rolled his eyes. “You’re going to leave me fighting these fucking beasts on my own?”

Danek’s eyes lit up. “If I can fight a leviathan by myself in the desert, you’ll be fine.”

Broan’s lips curved. He’d have to ask what a leviathan was, but he was impressed by the things Danek did while he was gone. He only wished he’d been there to see it.

—Danek—

Danek leaned over the edge of the open crevasse. The earth split nearly in two around Baila. She held tightly to the vines. No risk of falling, but maybe she’d listen for a second before deciding she wanted to lunge up and kill them all. Ruva pancaked over to him, whimpering as he watched behind Danek.

“How’s it hangin’?” he asked. It was a stupid first line. He knew that. He gathered that Baila had a mixed bag of emotions about him, yet another reason for her to hate Kienna as much as she did.

Baila glared at him, her green eyes already working out how she could climb up and kill them. She writhed, pulling her magic to her hand.

“Do you enjoy this?” Danek asked.

She paused.

Danek pressed. “Leading dead things, I mean. I never thought that would be your story, honestly.” He pointed to the vines and the flowers around her. Even in the pits of broken earth. “You tend to the living. What mental work do you have to go through to make any of this okay?”

“None of your business. I do what I know is right for the realm. Your Elvish are evil. They poison the world.”

“We know,” Danek said. “They’re a means to an end, but we don’t stand with them either.” Judging by the parted lips and furrowed brows, Danek knew he hit a nerve. “You didn’t know there was a third option with us, did you?”

Baila kicked at the ground and let the vines inch their way up her legs. “Doesn’t matter. I could never stand with Kienna.”

Ruva growled at the distaste in Baila’s tone.

“Neither could Broan. Look at him now.” Danek looked at the Viking slashing Umbrin as he protected Connak. The mere strength he had to stand when it would be easy to fall. Easy to take the king’s hand and go back… Danek hoped Kienna was okay. She’d be back. He knew it. She was sure of herself. She wouldn’t have gone with the king for no reason.

“There’s no way back from this, Danek.”

“Yeah, there is. You just have to take the chance.” He reached his hand to her. The vines stopped ascending, and Baila stared at him. “Help us, Baila. We can protect you.” Danek didn’t know if that was fully true. She had a lot to answer for. The Elvish army would not be accepting of her. Certainly not Connak and Tristian. Not after Dove Port. Not after Tislin’s death.

Kienna would.

Not at first, but Danek could convince her. Kienna knew better than anyone what the king could do to someone’s mind. She would come around and fight for Baila.

“Trust us,” Danek said when he saw her hesitation. She was hesitating. That was a good sign. “Broan can take you to the mountains. Away from all of this.”

Ruva growled behind him. Danek turned to see an Umbrin closing in. He flipped his body and ripped his sword, but it was too late. The creature grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled him from the ground. Danek summoned the wind. Before he could do anything with it, a vine crashed through the Umbrin. The creature collapsed to the ground. Danek flipped over, ready for more. He was met with Baila’s hand reaching for him.

He grinned as he took it. “Welcome back to the living.”

“Don’t let me down, Danek.”

Connak stood from the center and looked out at them. His eyes caught on Baila, then brushed past her. “She’s coming back.”

Chapter 61

—Kienna—