Page 85 of The Sundered Blade

And there, her left-hand dagger found its mark, sliding beneath the plate of his armor, between his ribs and up into his lung.

He took one gasping breath that ended in a wet cough.

Fell to his knees.

The ice in Karreya’s side turned to fire. She could feel the wetness of blood soaking her dress, the dizziness that told her she could not maintain consciousness for long.

But it would be enough. The captured mages still lay nearby, watching helplessly as their fate was determined by others—vital witnesses to the outcome of this challenge.

She had to win. Had to stay on her feet until Urquadi fell.

“Karreya!” Niell’s hoarse cry reached her ears, but it was strangely muffled, as if she were hearing him from underwater. She saw him racing towards her in slow motion, terror written on his features, and flung up her hand, nearly screaming with the pain that ripped through her side.

“Don’t touch me!” she cried, her eyes on Urquadi. He was still on his knees, and she forced herself to move. Hobbling around until she was in front of him, she looked him in the eye until he was compelled to meet her relentless gaze.

“I still stand,” she said fiercely. “And you now kneel before me. By the terms of our challenge, I have won, and your command is forfeit.”

“My command,” Urquadi choked out, “is forfeit.” With a jerk of his arm, he flung his sword even as he fell forward onto his face, and Karreya caught it, biting back the pain of its weight on her injured arm.

The cost did not matter. Niell would be safe, just as she had sworn when she left him in the forest. His people would be safe, and Abreia would survive.

She had won.

“Karreya.” Niell’s arm came around her shoulders, warm and strong, lowering her gently to the ground.

She could no longer feel her fingers. Or her feet. The sword fell from her hand, and her head fell backwards, allowing her to see that the sky was even now growing brighter. Morning approached, and with it the sun, but around the edges of her vision, shadows crept in.

“I have defeated him,” she whispered. “According to our customs, if you show the general’s sword to the troops, they will surrender.”

“I’ll be sure to do that,” Niell murmured, “after you are safe.”

Suddenly she was in his arms, being carried away from the field of battle, as effortlessly as he had once carried her away from that dock-front tavern all those weeks ago.

“No!” He needed to understand. “Take the sword. Please, Niell, you must take the sword.”

Cursing under his breath, he knelt, resting her on the ground long enough to pick up Urquadi’s blade and wrap her fingers around it. “Here,” he said roughly. “It is yours. But I’m getting you out of here.”

Karreya gripped the rough hilt and closed her eyes, leaning her face into Niell’s shoulder as he made his way over the uneven ground. Perhaps she should object to being carried, but it was difficult to care as she felt consciousness slipping away.

“Niell.” She fought to remain awake long enough to say one last thing. “Promise you will not let them have me when I am gone. I wish to be buried here. With you.”

“No one is burying you anywhere.” Niell’s voice was raw and savage with emotion, but she did not have the strength to comfort him. “Hold on and I will find someone who can help you. Please, Karreya.” His grip on her tightened. “Don’t make me do this without you.”

One way or another, he would do this without her, but she did not say it. Could not. It was dark and cold, and the only warmth was from Niell, where he held her against his body.

“I wanted to stay,” she murmured quietly. “I wanted to stay with you.”

“And you will!”

“Love… you…”

And then there was only darkness.

CHAPTER23

“No!”

Vaniell clenched her harder, but Karreya’s body had gone limp. Blood from her wounds drenched his shirt, and there was nothing he could do but stumble to a stop. Lower her to the ground, rip off his coat, press it to her side, and plead with her not to leave him.

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