Page 76 of Wings of Ink

“Wait.”

He doesn’t.

“Wait!” I try again, louder this time, more insistent, and Myron’s head whips around right by the door, hand on the doorknob and brows drawn in a sharp V that tells me this is not a whim. This is real, and heistrying to get me out of here.

“What do you mean, you haven’t fought for me over and over again?” Because I already know what he sacrificed, but I don’t know what he fought.

Myron shoves a hand through his hair, blowing out a breath as he faces me, back against the door that could be my path to freedom.Actual freedom. Why is my heart not rejoicing at the thought of him finally letting me go?

“I shouldn’t spring this on you. I—” He bites down on his lower lip, releases it, and sighs as if words were too heavy—or too dangerous. “It’s too early, but it might be the only chance I get—” Again, he stops himself, holds my gaze, and shakes his head. “I’ve fought for you every day from the moment you set foot in this palace. I’ve fought my own people, fought Royad when I told him I no longer cared about breaking the curse. Fought to keep you alive because I’ve seen too many females die.” He pauses, throat bobbing and black hair sliding into his face as he eyes the tip of his boots.

“I hadn’t planned on trying again, Ayna. I’d made my peace with never breaking free with one day being taken by either the Fire Fairies or the traitors in our own ranks. But then I got to know you.”

I’m not sure I’m breathing as his gaze swings back to mine, the black at the corners of his eyes dissolving the slightest bit so I see a fleck of grayish white.

“I got to know you enough to understand why Royad kept pestering me about trying one more time—justonemore time. But you despised me so much even thinking about”—he heaves a breath, leaving out whatever word he was looking for—“no longer seemed right. It didn’t seem right to pretend to be anything other than what I am. I decided, if I tried again, I’d let the gods judge if I’m worthy.”

My head spins as I’m grabbling for meaning in his words, but all I see is the white spot in the corner of his eyes. It’s so tiny it could be a trick from the light, but it holds my attention in a magical grasp as he rambles on.

“And then you ran, and they tried to kill you, and I—” It’s not a growl but a similar sound of fury that follows his words, and I finally look away from the white spot to take in all of his face.

Guardians, he’s … beautiful. Terrifying. Feathers have woven into his hair, fighting to replace the silken strands of black, and his mouth…

Now I understand why the sound wasn’t a growl. His voice becomes all hisses and caws, and individual syllables lose all meaning. I’m struggling to piece together what he is trying to tell me, but words get lost more by the heartbeat, and if he’s right—if the Flames are on their way—we’re losing precious time.

“They are coming,” I repeat what he initially said, “and you want me out of here so you can die like a hero while I run like a coward.”

The shift in his features stops as abruptly as it started. “They are.”

“I’m not running alone.” My fingers grab tighter onto his even if he was the one holding my hand. Now I’m the one holding his. “I’m not leaving you to die.”

“I’m not abandoning my people.” There is no arguing with Myron about this. I don’t even need to meet his gaze to know he will stay here until his final breath, trying to right a wrong he never committed.

“I can’t leave for the bargain I made with Recienne and Cliophera.” Even without the bargain, he’d never run. He might give up the palace to the Flames and leave, but he wouldn’t run like a coward. That’s me. And all it got me was being nearly killed by two Crows.

“So, we’re at an impasse. You won’t leave, and I won’t leave without you.”

The expression on his face drives a dagger into my heart because it reminds me so much of that hope I’ve spotted so scarcely throughout the past months that I almost believe I’ve said something he’s been waiting for.

But Myron shakes his head. “An impasse I won’t accept.” His fingers weave through mine. “You have to go. Cliophera will take you in. Head west and cross the river that marks the border of the forest, and you’ll find your way to Aceleau.”

“What’s Aceleau?” I can no longer feel my fingers, that’s how hard I’m holding onto him.

“The capital of Askarea, seat of Recienne’s power. The best hope for you to survive. Now, let’s get you out of here.”

I don’t correct him when I know he won’t allow for any discussions. Even with my water magic, I’m not enough of an asset to make a difference in a battle of raging flames. Not when the sacred lake hasn’t responded again. And even with the aid of the lake, I wouldn’t be able to do much good.

“So, why all the training? Why bargain away your chance to break the curse next year if I fail? Why bring in the fairy princess to make something less weak?” I’m not proud of the accusation in my tone, but I’d never admit that because, deep down, I know it is born from the sense of rejection. Of being just what I’ve always believed I am: not good enough.

Not good enough to hold my tongue and save my father. Not good enough to fight my way out on the Wild Ray and save Ludelle and the crew. Not even good enough to break a curse that shouldn’t require anything other than my blood.

Myron stops, breathless as he drops my hand to take my face between his palms. “Because I can’t bear to watch you die now that I’ve come to love you, and I couldn’t let you go any sooner because?—”

Blood wells on his lips as he crashes them onto mine in a fervent kiss, taking my breath, my sanity. His fingers dig into my hair, tilting back my head as he breaks away, his gaze locking on mine, breathing ragged and that hope a near-blue flame where his irises would be had his eyes been normal.

There are no words in my head, only the rolling sound of waves as they crest and tumble. “I tried to break the curse.” I don’t need to hold up my palm for him to understand, for he drops one hand from my cheek to cradle my fingers in his.

“I know. And I’ll be forever grateful that you even considered helping a monster like me.”

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