Page 66 of Of Sword & Silver

She coughs.

“There is a hot spring in the middle of town,” an older woman says. “You two come with me, we will get you cleaned up and take care of your horses.”

Kyrie coughs. Twice, her eyes watering, shoulders trembling.

The woman’s eyes go round.

“Sorry,” she says with a bright smile. “I think that thing crushed my chest a little. I’m not sick.”

It’s a lie, I can tell immediately, and not just because I know about her curse, or because I recognize the potent sting of her magic—but because I know her.

Her silvered words work, though, and the woman smiles back at her. “The waters will help with that too, I expect. Our Mossbury hot springs are famous, blessed by Heska herself.”

Someone is already rounding up our horses and the mule, and Morrow helps Lara through the hard-packed streets of the town proper. Kyrie’s still breathing hard and seems to be favoring one side, though she puts on a brave show.

Until she stumbles.

“Kyrie.” I’m at her side in an instant, but when I catch her with my arm around her waist, her eyes are wide, and not with pain.

With interest.

“Thank you,” she says softly, one arm tangling around me, the other hand pressed to my stomach. “Sorry. I’m a little tired, I think. You know why.” She winks at me, and some of the worry melts away.

I do know why. For one, she used a massive amount of power willing the beast to die, something I’m not even sure she realizes she did, nor am I sure it would have worked if she hadn’t already made mincemeat of its stomach.

Her body, though undoubtedly muscular and strong, feels so small up against me. So human, so frail.

The urge to protect her surges through me, and when she loses her footing again, I take full advantage of my own strength and lift her into my arms.

“Ohhh,” she says, batting her eyelashes in that infuriating way of hers that only seems charming with her like this. Her arms wrap around my head and she watches me through heavy-lidded eyes as I carry her in the wake of the woman taking us to the town’s hot spring.

There are patches of smoldering embers all around, and those not following behind us are already putting their town to rights after the manticore’s chaos.

A wooden sign in the shape of a beer stein swings overhead.

“That’s the local inn and pub,” our erstwhile tour guide says cheerfully. “Old Craig will put you up for free, I’ll see to that.”

“We’ll meet you here when you’re done,” Lara says. “You alright, Kyrie?”

Kyrie smiles widely at her. “Never been better. This is much more comfortable transport than a horse.”

Lara’s eyebrows rise with worry, and I know she hears the lie as well as I do.

“Take care of her?” she asks me.

“Always,” I tell her.

She looks set to argue, but shakes her head, smiling wanly up at Kyrie before heading inside.

Always.

It’s the truth. I will take care of her to the best of my abilities, no matter what.

The only promise I can give to any of them.

The hot spring isn’t far from the pub, as it turns out, behind a sort of ramshackle round wooden door.

“There are soap and towels in there already. I’ll gather some fresh clothes for you both?—”

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