Page 122 of Bound By Roses

QUINN

Ascream rings out, and then the evening stillness becomes a symphony of terror. A murderous melody composed of desperate pleas and final moments. This is the sound of war, and there’s no glory in it.

It feels wrong to run when my feet aren’t propelling me towards the bloodshed, but rather, away from it.

Abby got the wolves where they needed to be. She came up with a brilliant plan and now, because of her, hundreds—if not thousands—will be saved. I have to believe we’ll succeed and leave it at that because I can’t be there. No matter how much my feet want to carry me to her.

To Abby.

I already know she’s on her way. I feel the desperation filling her as if it were my own. She wants this to end tonight and as much as I don’t want to see her hurt—don’t want to think of her anywhere near this city tonight—I trust her. I trust her judgement, her capabilities, and more than anything, I trust her heart. I’m not going to fault her for embracing the same compassion that saved me. She’s always been the hero in my story, and tonight, she’s the saviour in theirs.

I long to reach out to her through the bond, but we both need to focus now. It’s hard enough with the loss of Caine so fresh in my mind. I felt the disappearance of his connection the moment unforgiving steel severed it. His death is another I will carry on my conscience until it’s my turn to pass through the veil and into whatever lies beyond it.

We’ve barely begun and already lost someone. I don’t want to think about who we’ll lose next.

And then I can’t stop myself.

‘Tell me you’re not on a horse.’I knew she’d make for the city as soon as she could, but I was counting on the worst of the battle being over before she got there. Or, at least, moved.

Her answer comes immediately, and even her voice in my mind sounds winded.‘How did you know?’

Fuck.

I want to ask where she found one, but there’s no time for that. I don’t need to look through the eyes of the wolves to know they and the dragons are all accounted for. The only explanation for her to be this close to me is if she were on horseback.‘I can always feel you, Stabby, and I know you can’t run that fast.’

‘Are you mad?’Is that what she’s worried about? After everything, she still thinks I expected her to sit this out entirely.

‘I will be if you fall off.’

Annoyance washes through the bond.‘This isn’t my first time on a horse, you know.’

‘And how many years has it been?’

I take her silence as conformation that it has been many, many years. If I were to guess, I would say leisurely rides ended long before the hunt began. When Lunae’s lands first dried up and food became scarce.

I shouldn’t ask, but suddenly it becomes all I want to do.‘When this is over, will you teach me?’

Her response is strained, as if she really is holding on for her life.‘Not sure I’m the best instructor.’

‘You’re the only instructor I want.’

My stomach feels like it drops, but I know the sensation came from her.‘Sure. Why not?’

I have to ignore the urge to ask if she nearly fell and focus on the task ahead.‘Stabby, I’m about to enter the tunnel that leads below the palace, and you’re riding into a battle. We can’t be worrying about each other.’

‘I know.’Those words are as sharp as the blade that almost pierced my heart, and I know she feels it, too. Feels the sharp sting of what could be the start of our final goodbye.

‘Same rules apply. Neither of us takes on Imelda or Void alone. If you find them—’

‘You’ll be the first to know. I love you.’

‘I loved you first.’I leave our connection open, but let it fall silent.

The sooner I find Arabella, the sooner Abby and I can reunite. This would be over quicker if Ty shifted. If he’s alive, he will soon. He knows we’re coming, so there’s no reason for him not to be waiting for us. I can only hope that he’s staying in his human form so he doesn’t draw suspicion. Maybe he and Arabella aren’t alone. Even during this, she’ll likely be guarded.

I just have to find them.

I slip into the open door that leads to the tunnels. It’s unguarded, but the fur on my back raises all the same. Maybe it’s the fact that the last time I prowled tight halls in this form, it was to murder the people of my own kingdom when I was first cursed. When I was lost to the monster that no longer controls me. Or maybe it’s the knowledge that this dreary place was what my sister called home for almost six years. Chained and starved and lost in the same darkness that once filled my heart.

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