Page 79 of Don't Fae With Dragons

“Mili, it’s me,” I blurt out. “I’ve got you. We found you. I’m so sorry, Mili.”

Her eyes shoot open, having been wrenched shut in fear moments before, and I see they’re bloodshot and swimming withtired tears. The knife in my soul twists hard, and once again I shove the agony as deep as it will go.

“Mili,” I whisper.

The furious terror in her eyes melts away, and, finally, my own Milica stares back at me. She whimpers, “Cory,” and catches me in the tightest embrace I’ve felt in a long time.

I hear Max and Port land beside us, one pair of feet after another, and Max murmurs behind me, “Her wings–”

“I know,” Port responds softly. “I think ... I think we should give them a moment.”

Over Mili’s shoulder I catch a glimpse of my two packmates walking to the edge of the clearing, then I bury my head in Mili’s neck again. She shudders into me, and another crack in my strength appears.

There’s nothing I wouldn’t give to save her, my bright gem, but I still showed up too late. The gut-wrenching shame I’m all-too-familiar with briefly flickers at the surface of my psyche, and I mentally shut it out.

I know there’s no room for my feelings here. I don’t even feel a consciousneedfor them to be given room. Unfortunately, my soul begs to differ. The struggle within me reaches a fever pitch and I shudder in return against Milica.

She stretches a hand until it’s flat against my back, then she strokes it slowly up and down. It’s soothing, and I loathe my weakness all the more for wanting comfort when she’s the one who needs it.

For some reason, I still let her brush her hand over my back as I start to do the same to her. She nuzzles her face deeperinto my neck, and I let a low purr from my chest fill the space between us.

I hold the purr at a low pitch, allowing it to comfort Mili. A quiet sigh escapes her, and I feel her squeeze her eyes closed as she leans into me.

“Can we just stay here forever?” she whispers.

Despite my heartache, I laugh. Mili laughs, too, and the two of us hold on even tighter for a long moment. Eventually, Mili pulls back and wipes her eyes, which are finally starting to dry.

We stare at each other, just gazing into one another’s eyes for a while, before I break the silence. “You shouldn’t have gone alone.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, I realize it’s not the time to scold Mili. Still, I can’t stop myself from being so terrified. I can’t stop myself from expressing it in some small way, and I just pray she’ll understand.

Mili bites her lip to keep her eyes clear and replies, “I know. I didn’t think –I didn’t know if you three could forgive me. I thought you might hate me now.”

“What?” I whisper. “That would never happen. We truly care for you, Mili. I just didn’t want you to get ... hurt.” I wince at my last words, trying not to let my gaze fall upon her mangled wings.

Mili’s gaze falls to her lap and she hisses at herself, “I’m so stupid.”

“Don’t say that,” I order. In response, she glares up at me through her dark eyelashes.

“I didn’t want the three of you to get hurt, and I’m glad you didn’t. I just didn’t expect –he’s gotten so powerful, Cory. And he’s cruel, vicious. I couldn’t–”

“It’s not your fault,” I interrupt, leaning down to press a kiss to her temples – the right, then the left. Mili huffs in frustration just as I hear footsteps arriving beside us.

Max says carefully, “Mili, I’m really glad you’re okay.”

She rolls her eyes in a sudden display of real personality, and a flutter of hope passes through me. I can tell Port feels it, because he glances sidelong at me with a sad smile of relief.

“I wouldn’t say I’mokay, but yes, I’m alive,” she remarks.

“We need to see Chrysthinia,” I say. The forcefulness of my voice almost surprises me; then again, I suppose it’s in my disposition to be a leader when one is needed. I continue, “If Kar has harmed you, they’ll know what to do.”

At those words, Mili bites her lip and fidgets under my gaze. I raise an eyebrow and she says slowly, “We need to reverse a spell.”

“What?” Max and Port say at once. I just sit silently as I wait for her to continue, my blood already boiling.

Mili sighs shakily and I watch her lip tremble. “He tried to – well, he has Evil Sight now, and he’s performed a Chasm Ritual.” The fire in my veins explodes into a raging inferno at her words, but she presses on. “He tried to ‘claim’ me. Come nighttime, my mind won’t be my own anymore.”

As she speaks, her words take on a hollowness that alarms me. She shows no emotion, but I never see her that way. Without thinking, I take her hand in mine. It’s practically limp.

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