Page 103 of The Last Heir of Elsewhere

Then a silver-haired figure broke free of the oncoming army and sprinted toward us.

Ambrose skidded to a halt beside me, his black eyes were twin obsidian stones, hard and reflecting a resolve that brooked no argument.

For a long second, he and Scion stared at each other and the tension rose. I couldn’t have guessed what they were thinking if my life depended on it.

“We need to get her to the ship,” Ambrose snapped.

“Right,” Scion agreed, and picked me up once more.

Air whooshed from my lungs, and I struggled to breathe as we sprinted to the ship. Still, I managed to voice my protests, screaming curses at the pair of them as we ran.

The ship was anchored exactly where we’d left it, and on the deck I could already see Lin and Riven marshaling the crew into action. The sails were being hoisted, and crew members ran back and forth up and down the gangway, loading cargo back onto the boat.

We drew nearer, the male’s boots pounding against the wooden dock and my entire body bouncing with every step they took. I squinted toward the ship, and a small sense of relief washed over me.

The mysterious prisoner was easily identified, his long hair and beard standing out even at a distance. He was leaning over the side of the ship, watching us approach. If he was aboard, so too must be my mother.

“Go!” Ambrose pushed Scion forward ahead of him, and the two of us traveled quickly up the gangway onto the ship.

Scion dropped me, but didn’t fully let go, his arms still wrapped around my waist and holding me in place.

“Set sail!” Ambrose barked at the crew, and Lin echoed his yell, urging everyone to move faster.

“No!” Tears stung my eyes, the salt of them mingling with the brine of the sea. My chest heaved as if I’d run for miles rather than stood frozen to the spot. “We can’t just leave him!”

“He can use magic here, Rebel. We can’t.”

“So?” I demanded, new tears choking me.

“He can shadow walk to reach us,” he replied. “Once you’re safe I’m sure he’ll follow, if…”

He broke off, a spark of pain appearing behind his eyes.

“If he’s still alive,” I shrieked, my hysterical yell drawing the crew’s attention away from the battle on land. “That’s what you mean, isn’t it?”

Scion’s gaze was haunted, but he nodded. Then, seeming to want to distract me, he gestured to something behind me. “Go see to your mother.”

I glared at him. For a moment, I really did hate him.

Riven tookcharge of bringing my mother and the escaped prisoner below deck. My mother was still alive, but barely, and it was worry over her and Bael that drove the prisoner from my mind. I forgot to warn anyone where we’d found him or that he might be dangerous.

I forgot everything else entirely.

My gaze clung to the shore, trying desperately to keep Bael in sight. The sails unfurled, catching the wind and the ship lurched forward, like a beast awakening from slumber.

Dread sunk into my chest. We were truly leaving him behind.

In two strides, I lunged for the ship’s side, my hands grappling for purchase on the slick wood.

But Ambrose was quicker.

His warrior reflexes honed by years of conflict, this time it was the elder brother whose arms encircled my waist, pulling me back with an iron resolve.

“Let me go!” I raged against him, my voice rising like the howl of the wind. “He needs me!”

“Love,” Ambrose’s voice was a whispered plea, his breath warm against my ear. “If you interfere, you’ll die.”

I heard him, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t myself I was concerned about.

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