Page 130 of Blood Feast

“Let me,” Lyros ground out.

Cassia nodded and took Lyros’s hand, pressing it over Mak’s in her place. Then she scrambled away to give them more room.

She shook her head.No natural wolf can do that—I’ve never seen a wound like this—

Lio sank down beside her and pulled her close with his good arm.

Mak was trembling. The sight of his powerful cousin shaking frightened Lio in a way he had never felt before.

Lyros took one look at the blood spilling from between his fingers, then put his other hand behind Mak’s head to support him. Lyros held Mak’s lips to his throat. But Mak’s eyelids drooped, the color draining from his face.

“Don’t you dare!” Lyros massaged his Grace’s jaw with desperate motions.

Finally, Mak’s fangs locked onto his offered vein. Lyros released a sharp sigh.

Lio let his face fall to rest on Cassia hair.Mak is conscious enough to bite. That’s what matters.

I can’t bear this.

Lyros will heal him,Lio said, as much to reassure himself as her.

After a moment that seemed to last forever, Mak dug his fingers into Lyros’s hair, holding on. With a soft groan, he pressed his face closer against Lyros’s neck, his throat working.

Where their joined hands rested on Mak’s chest, the flow of blood slowed, then ceased. But how deep did the damage go?

At last, Lyros eased Mak’s jaw open and rested his Grace’s head on his lap. Mak caressed his face, then let his hand drop and felt his chest.

“Are you all right?” Lio asked.

“That beast tried to rip out my heart,” Mak answered hoarsely, “but trying isn’t enough to best a Hesperine warrior.”

Lyros gripped Mak’s hand. “I would take you to a healer if I could.”

“Your blood and my Gift are all I need. Who knows if a healer’s affinity even works on doddering wolf wounds? Help me sit up.”

“You should lie still,” Lyros insisted.

“I can rest when we’re out of here.”

Lyros narrowed his eyes, but he helped Mak into a sitting position. Gently, Lyros parted the torn front of Mak’s robe. A scar was all that remained of what might have been his death wound. Four neat slashes crossed Mak’s heart, the unmistakable marks of a beast’s claws.

“How can this be?” Cassia shook her head. “I thought nothing could scar a Hesperine.”

“Only anti-haimatic magic can,” said Lio. “Magefire. Lustra magic.”

With a bemused look, Mak pushed the hair back from Lyros’s forehead. “You’ve got a handsome new scar, too. Does that burn mark hurt still?”

“No,” Lyros said tightly.

Mak looked from Lyros’s brow to his own chest. “Well, it seems the Lustra gave us tokens of approval, too. I like these better than fancy necklaces.”

Lyros didn’t laugh. Saying nothing, he pulled Mak’s face against his neck and held him for a moment longer.

When they were sure Mak was hale enough to stand, Lio and Cassia helped him and Lyros up. Lio supported Mak while Cassia handed Lyros his fallen spear to use as a crutch. The four of them made their weary way over to a pair of standing stones with a broad gap between them. Knight already sat there waiting for them. Beyond the gate, more magefire torches lined the path.

“This looks like the way forward,” said Lio.

“I expect the next trap to require soothsaying,” Cassia warned.

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