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A mercy he didn’t deserve, but as the bond shifted between us, I realized he'd done it so I wouldn't have another death on my hands.
Erianna stumbled, her gait uneven as she turned to look at me. “Thank you, Olivia.” She gulped, blinking rapidly. I pulled her into my arms, her arms limp at her side.
“It's okay,” I said. “I know.” It was hard to let go of anyone we loved, even if they'd treated us terribly. I'd even felt a pang of grief when I found out Astor had died, although he deserved it a thousand times over. “Let's get you home.”
Erianna shook her head. “Malum Dominor is done,” she explained, her words coming out slower than normal. She averted her eyes to the ground. “Half his men went to Salenia, but the other half ran when they heard about you escaping.”
Sebastian squeezed her shoulder, then followed us outside. “We're forming a battle plan. Niall's helping.”
Her brows rose. “Niall?”
“Yes, and he's brought a woman with him, Elizabeth.”
I wetted my lips. “I only felt love when I lowered my barrier around them. I think they're soulmates.” Except I guessed they were more. I had for a long time, assumed Niall was Vener. He wouldn’t remember who he is, so I didn’t broach the subject, figuring Azia would help him and the girl, who I guessed could be Anastasia, remember who they are.
We stepped out into the chilly afternoon air, and I shivered, although the cold had nothing to do with it. The flight from the castle to the city had taken hours, and I yawned as I surveyed the sky overhead. Dark, thick clouds blanketed the horizon, and my eyelids grew heavier. My stomach rumbled, a hollow ache from the lack of food and water.
He looked at Erianna. “Do you have enough energy to run and meet us at the house?”
She nodded. “Why?”
“Because I think my wife is about to faint.”
I laughed, but I stumbled as the lightheadedness messed with my immortal senses. Despite being immortal, I wasn't a vampire. I still needed food, although I could live without it, but would slowly desiccate like I had when I was held with Astor, who gave me tiny scraps to keep me aware, just enough.
Sebastian scooped me into his arms, then took flight, and I watched as Erianna sped in a blur through the streets.
We landed at the door to the house, and Sebastian placed me in front of him, then tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “Go eat and rest.”
“I can't rest. Salenia will come after us.”
“We will plan without you. I'll fill you in on everything when you wake up.”
***
I opened my eyes, a few stray crumbs spread across my pillow, their sugary smell lingering in the air. My hands still tingled with stickiness from when I had devoured two warm slices of cherry pie and an apple. I looked at the clock, panic jolting me as the danger we were in floated back into my mind.
I jumped out of bed, listening as Zach's voice echoed from the room below. “Asland's army is still circling the shores. We can't fight Salenia and them. We're outnumbered.”
Anna replied. “What can we do then? Salenia is coming.”
“Azia and the other sorcerers are placing barrier spells around the city. Many have fled, but we still have a good number here who will fight.”
She scoffed. “With Niall spreading the word about the battle we're about to do. They won't listen to him.”
“Sebastian's with him. He is their king.”
“Should I wake Olivia?” she asked tentatively. “I know she needs to sleep, but they're already forming in the city. We can't wait much longer.”
After a brief pause, he agreed. “Go wake her. Just go easy. She doesn't know I had to turn you yet.”
“She doesn't know I'm a vampire?”
My eyes widened. Well, I did now. I was just glad to know she was okay and alive, vampire or not.
“No.”
“Stop feeling bad,” she said, seeing something in his expression I couldn't from up here. “You saved my life. The herbs would have given me a little more time.”
