Page 144 of Bloodguard

I thought I’d finally taken control of my life. I chose a cause. I chose my lover. I chose to keep going. And here I am, suffering despite all my supposed good choices.

Pink drool slides from my mouth. My hair is drenched in sweat and blood.

“Enough. His time is up. This man is free.”

Caelen?Is that you, friend?

Nah. I watch the tip of the bloody whip withdraw as the guard readies for another strike.

Except then there’s a loud crash, and a thump, and the guard’s unblinking face staring at me in shock.

Well. Would you look at that? Caelen indeed has arrived.

A ruckus ensues. Someone demands for me to be freed. It’s strange, but I don’t hear the guards. There’s only silence.

My body falls as I’m cut free, and Caelen catches me with my face only inches from the muddy ground.

“Leith.Leith,” Giselle says. “I’m so, so sorry. We weren’t allowed near you until now.”

I start to fall asleep.

“Leith, can you hear us?” Caelen urges.

“Holy shitting dragon balls,” Giselle says. “I can see his bones.”

“I know,” Caelen agrees. “He’s in bad shape.”

“Is that supposed to be there—”

I jerk when something pokes me, half conscious and hoping to be none.

“Giselle,” Caelen says. “Ask him when conscious.” And then, “Giselle, stop touching it…”

I fade into sweet oblivion.

Until I bolt up.

I’m drowning in ice.

Ice.

My body erupts in pain, then something else—something vaguely akin to relief.

My hands grip the edges of the tub. The room I’m in is small, dark, lit only by the moonlight trailing in through the high window.

I swipe at my face and hair, pausing when I see Caelen in a chair, watching me closely. Giselle is here, too, kneeling beside the tub. She tries to smile, but her face is swollen and bruised.

“He lives!” she says.

“Where am I?” I ask.

“New Arrow. That’s what they call it,” Caelen says, his features solemn. He looks down. “Jakeb put all his heart into it.”

When he finishes, his lips press tightly together as if he’s done speaking and won’t ever do it again. If there’s any doubt, he stands, turning in the direction of the door.

Giselle rises, moving quickly before Caelen can exit. She hugs him tightly, as if she’s afraid she will lose him.

Caelen appears surprised by the contact. He curls into her small body, taking a moment all their own.

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