AllFreeNovel
Share Us
More panic burst through him as he struggled to free himself. He didn’t have several hours to wait for Killian to arrive, even if they managed to break it! Nyana could be frightened. Cold. Weary. Hurt. Or worse, dead. Losing a single second might mean her death.
Still, he lifted his leg and smashed the heel of his boot against the vial on the ground.
It shattered.
“Thank the sunlight,” he sobbed and then instructed Maisy to unload the blankets to keep warm. The girls wrapped themselves up and huddled against Sunweave, who offered body warmth as he struggled to breathe.
Another pang of heartache flickered in his chest.
Seven years.
Sunweave had been his constant companion for seven years, the two of them inseparable through work, play, and danger. His heart began to crack as he watched his animal friend suffer. An ache formed in his heart. Not only at the reality that he might lose both Sunweave and Nyana, but also because he hadn’t been prepared enough to protect them.
First, losing the carriage. Then not having enough weapons to fight off three thugs. Now he’d lost his knife, his horse, and his wife. Was he unlucky? Or just terrible at protecting those he loved?
A tall, blond figure stepped out of the shadows, and Joel yelped in surprise, not expecting Killian just yet. The man’s vertical pupils enlarged over blue irises as he took in the scene.
“Merciful shadows,” Killian murmured. “What happened?”
The Shadow Fae produced a knife and sawed away at the ropes tying Joel to the tree, all while he explained a condensed version of the events leading up to that moment. Once the ropes snapped, Killian crouched next to Sunweave to feel the horse’s pulse.
“Poison?” Killian asked, and Joel nodded, gesturing to the discarded dart. At least he suspected as much. “The good news is that a larger dose would have killed him quicker, as this was likely meant for a man. More good news is you are lucky the wound wasn’t physical. I’m no physician, but I am a mage. I can counter the effects of poison.”
Joel didn’t dare to let himself hope as Killian pulled out a briefcase and unpacked several vials and a bowl. As he mixed, Joel asked, “How did you get here so fast?”
“We’ve been staying at your home since yesterday to be closer in case you called for me. I hope you don’t mind.”
“We?”
Killian smiled, though his attention remained focused on his potion. “My wife and I. Lyyli hasn’t been to Heulwen before and wanted to see the sights. Plus, she’s rather concerned about Nyana.”
Joel’s brows scrunched together. “She doesn’t know Nyana.”
“Through me, she does. Lyyli has a heart of gold.” The Shadow Fae’s expression softened. “She’d move mountains for anyone.”
Before Joel managed to inquire further, Killian handed him the bowl. “Your horse needs to recover if you are to follow their tracks and travel quickly before sundown. I’ll shadewalk the children back to your home for Lyyli to watch over, and then I will return shortly.”
He clenched his jaw, worry gnawing on his stomach. “I’m worried about their safety.”
“The danger is out here.” Killian gestured to the forest around them. “Besides, Lyyli is more than capable of protecting them.” Another secretive smile as he held his hands out to the girls, who took them cautiously. “Try to get your horse to drink as much as possible.”
Without another word, the man melted into the shadows, taking Joel’s children with him.
Anxiety bloomed in his chest. Stuffy. Uncomfortable. He was putting so much trust in a man he hardly knew anything about. And as much as he immediately wanted to chase down Ethan’s and Cole’s tracks on foot, he didn’t know how far they’d traveled.
He’d cover more ground on a horse.
Hope began to push out his anxiety as he slowly administered the elixir to Sunweave, trying to keep the liquid from dribbling out the sides of his mouth.
“There you go,” Joel murmured, stroking Sunweave’s neck. The creature moaned, snorted, and moaned some more. He kicked his back legs and lifted his head several inches off the ground. Raspy breaths evened out. The twitches on his flanks slowed until they dwindled to nothing. And then Sunweave released a deep breath filled with relief. He lay still for several minutes, breathing deeply as his ears twitched back and forth as if listening to Joel’s soothing and encouraging words.
“We need to find Nyana.” He smoothed a hand down Sunweave’s stomach, looking for injuries around the cinch of the saddle but found none. He continued his inspection over the horse’s legs, his neck, and finding him free of sores, he took the reins in his hand and pulled gently.
Sunweave snorted in protest, groaned once, and then climbed to his feet. He stumbled once, flicked his tail, and then released a huff.
He couldn’t possibly ride Sunweave in this condition.
He feared he didn’t have a choice.
