Page 25 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

Reaching her hand along the ground, Lea watched as Gray’s shadows snaked toward her. It was as if they knew she was conscious and watching him, even if he didn’t. She wanted to go to him, to comfort him, but the Lonely Death took hold again, pulling her under as Gray turned around, rushing back to her as she faded back into her nightmares.

Lea’s breaths were shallow, her limbs heavy as she hovered somewhere between dreams and consciousness. Familiar voices filled her mind. Memories, perhaps? Was this her version of her life flashing before her eyes before she took her final breath? She tried to wake—was determined to hold on just a little longer. The goddess had promised Gray would find a way to save her. She only needed to keep breathing.In and out. In and out,she chanted in her mind.

Gray… Where was he? She couldn’t hear him, couldn’t feel his touch.He’s here. He’d never leave you.In and out.Lea fought to remain conscious as her mind tried to pull her back into a dream. The wind blew, a violent gust that caused her dirty blond hair to blow in front of her eyes, obscuring her view. She could hear people arguing about where to turn, hear the tension in their voices, the frustration. Was it the Royal Army? Had they finally found them?

The wind blew again, pushing her hair back behind her ear. She felt its cool kiss, smelled the sweet fragrance of wildflowers.This isn’t a dream.

It felt too real, sounded too real. Lea needed to wake up.Now.She needed to warn Gray that they were no longer alone. Raising her eyebrows, she tried to open her eyes, but her body was paralyzed. Or maybe, she was just too weak to move. Lea heard the clomp of heavy, powerful hooves moments before she was lifted into a pair of strong, familiar arms, the scent of rain rolling in from a storm comforting her weary soul.

"I’ll get us there as fast as we can," Gray soothed. "We’ll ride through the night. I won’t stop."

"Gray, what’s—" The words came out jumbled, incoherent.

"I thought I could heal you once night came, but it just kept getting worse." Thunder crashed as Gray clenched his jaw. "I can still save you. We have to get to Bearswillow and find Erik. He’ll marry us. It’s the only way." He continued talking, and it seemed to Lea as if he was trying to convince himself his plan would work. "The Lonely Death is specific to my father, but because of my bargain, he can’t kill you if you are his daughter, even if by marriage. I can heal you enough to get us there, and then you’ll be fine."

Lea tried to reach out to him, to tell him he needed rest. He had never looked so tired, so frantic. His face was sallow and gaunt, his eyes bloodshot.

"It’s okay, Little Flower." He pulled them on top of Obsidian gently, kissing her hair as he held her like a small child. Lea’s heart shattered as she watched a single tear track down Gray’s face. "You can rest," he said tenderly as he spurred Obsidian into a gallop.

They had just passed through the invisible boundary of their refuge when the shuffling of feet and the intensity of anxious voices hit their ears.

Gray pulled his sword in an instant, tucking her beneath his arm.

"I swear to the gods, I will destroy whoever dares to take a single step forward," he roared, black shadows instantly exploding around him, wrapping between the trees and searching out the threat. He looked like the god of death, the embodiment of wrath and vengeance as he kicked Obsidian's side and began to race toward whatever threat hid in the woods ahead. Lea knew he wouldn’t wait for them to attack—there was no time. His sword was raised in his white-knuckled fist, and Lea could feel his body buzzing with searing hot fury as he prepared to slaughter their enemy.

Fire shot through the woods from ahead, drawing a line of flames in front of Obsidian that halted them in their tracks before quickly encircling and trapping them. Obsidian reared, letting out an enraged whinny.

"Fuck!" Gray shouted as he tried to suffocate the flames with his shadows. He attempted to urge Obsidian through, but the horse refused, stomping his feet in fear and defiance. In the distance, Lea heard several pairs of feet storming through the dense woods. Gray pulled her from Obsidian’s back, readying himself to sprint with her through the fire and away from danger, when Lea placed a hand on his cheek and nodded toward the trees.

"Look," she whispered weakly, the action so painful that tears pricked her eyes as blood coated the inside of her mouth. With a whimper, Lea’s eyes rolled back in her head, her body going slack.

"Lea!" Gray’s eyes dropped to her chest, exhaling as it continued to rise and fall. A stick cracked under a heavy step, and Gray swung his head toward the sound, sword at the ready. The flames extinguished rapidly as five figures appeared through the fog.

"Drop the sword, Gray. We’re here to help."

Chapter 15

Gray

Afamiliarformemergedthrough the smoke, their hands raised in the air.

"It’s just us, Gray," Erik said cautiously.

Gray didn’t believe the man standing in front of him was his friend as he stood with his knees slightly bent in a protective stance, his eyes fully black and his shadows swirling around them like a shield. His chest heaved with rage, and he was blinded by panic. Through the bond, Gray could sense that Lea was fading. He was running out of time.

"Erik?" Gray’s nostrils flared as his animalistic brain continued to tell him it couldn’t be true, that there was no way his Erik was standing before him when he had explicitly told him to lead the rebellion to Bearswillow. His second had never once failed to follow orders. It was a trick of his mind, the gods taunting him with a false solution to his problem. It was too easy.

Every one of Gray’s senses told him to run, to protect his mate at all costs. It was his only focus—as ingrained in his body as his own heart beating. His legs shook as he stepped forward just a few feet to get a clearer look. Erik wore the same clothes he’d worn days ago and was covered in dirt as if he’d been sleeping on the ground.

"It’s real, brother. We’re here," Erik gestured behind him.

Janelle popped her head out from behind Erik at the same time Emma and Noah walked out from behind a tree.

"I don't believe you!" Gray roared. He was seeing things. He had to be. Erik wouldneverdisobey him.

"Cut the shit, Gray," Janelle snapped. "You’re wasting time."

Thunder boomed, a bolt of lightning crackling in the clouds above their heads, ready to strike, but Gray held it at bay. His mind spun, hesitation creeping into his gut. Could it really be true?

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