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For some reason, that gave me the boost back to reality I needed.
Anniston was still screaming as much as Yasmin, so I pressed her face to my chest, bouncing her in reassurance as I murmured soft hushes in her ear, right before I kicked my sister in the shins and growled, “Stop it. This instant.”
She stopped screaming to blink in shocked confusion at me as if I’d lost my mind, but I merely snarled, “Check on Soren. I need to calm the baby.”
Then I turned away from everyone and began to sing a tune to my child, the very same song Urban had sung to us the night he helped me put her to sleep. Once she quieted down to the occasional shuddered hiccups, I turned back to find that Yasmin had actually followed my command and was helping Soren to his feet.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, using her as a crutch, and tried to step down on his left foot, only to wince and hop on the right.
“You okay?” I asked, drawing near.
He looked up, seemingly dazed. Dirt and black soot was caked to his face and clothes, blood was t
rickling from one ear, and his hair was a mess, but he looked otherwise fine.
He nodded, confirming it, before turning his gaze toward Allera where she was sitting on her knees and howling over her fallen brother.
“He saved my life.” Sounding confused, Soren shook his head and urged Yasmin to help him limp toward Urban. “Why would he save my life?”
I held my breath before looking that way myself. I had waited until last to check on Urban, because I was too afraid to take in the damage, even though I knew it was already severe. My limbs shook and fear took over as I clutched Anniston a bit tighter than I probably should have and trailed Yasmin and Soren meekly to where Allera was sobbing.
“Don’t try to talk,” she ordered, pressing her fingers to his bloody lips. “Save your strength, Brother. Shh.”
I peered past my husband’s shoulder, only for shock, pain, and disbelief to spiral through me.
“Oh God,” I gasped.
It was worse than I feared. Urban had been torn to bits. His face had been scraped raw and his chest was ripped open with one arm looking as if a stiff breeze could detach it completely.
Agony choked my throat, stealing my breath while cold, hard dread blanketed me. For the longest moment, it felt as if I were falling, my ears began to ring again, and my vision went gray. When Anniston wiggled against my chest, whining over how tightly I was holding her, I gulped unsteadily and loosened my hold, unable to take my eyes off the man who considered me his one true love. The man I was starting to see as my one true love.
“Take them… Back… Castle… Safe,” he gasped, reaching for Allera to clutch her sleeve.
He coughed up blood, and I winced, tears pricking my eyes. I couldn’t handle seeing him like this. Couldn’t handle any of this.
No. It just…it couldn’t be happening. Not to Urban. Not him.
“Get…her…safe,” he tried to tell Allera.
“Shh.” Attempting to quiet him, she shook her head and sniffled before bowing her face and squeezing her eyes closed.
I stepped forward, knowing there was nothing I could do to help but wanting—no, needing—to be by his side.
Sensing me, his eyes roved slowly my way and stopped once our gazes met. Tears skimmed down my cheeks. When a single drop fell from his eye, mixing with blood as it trailed into his ear, a sob shook my shoulders.
“No,” I said.
I knew the exact moment he died. His lips curved as he smiled at me right before the light left his gaze. Then his limp hand slid off Allera’s arm and thumped dully to the earth beside him.
The weight of grief slammed into my chest, stealing my air. I couldn’t summon a single breath as I watched him expire.
“Urban?” Allera opened her eyes and lifted her gaze, only to gasp out a small scream. “No! No, you can’t leave me. Oh God, don’t die. Urban.”
Nicolette and Brentley forgot their guarding duties to rush over.
“Oh my God!” Nicolette cried, dropping Allera’s sword so she could slap her hands over her mouth and burst into tears. Then she backed away from the scene, slowly shaking her head in denial.
“Allera,” Brentley murmured, falling onto his knees at her side so he could clasp her shoulder with his hand.
