Page 160 of The Iron Flower

Andras is unmoved. “Who just hurled herself off a cliff.”

“Diana knew that wouldn’t kill her,” Brendan says, his voice haggard. “She knew it would only give her a few hours of peace. That it would keep her from going completely wild and killing every Gardnerian she could get her hands on.”

“Go with Andras, Brendan,” Rafe says. “There’s no more time.” He looks to Andras and pauses, as if his throat is momentarily locked tight. “Be safe, my friend.”

Andras holds Rafe’s gaze. “You, as well. May we meet again in Noi lands.”

Andras and Brendan leave, and pain grips my chest as I watch them go. Wynter follows them out, catching my eye with her mournful gaze before she disappears from sight. Ariel scoops up her chickens in both arms and gives me a conflicted look as she departs, her raven flapping out behind her.

Yvan pauses before me, a million unspoken things raging through his gaze. I reach out for him at the same time he reaches for me and we hold tight to each other’s hands.

“Keep them safe,” I say raggedly, his fire streaking through my lines. “And keep yourself safe, too.”

“I will,” he promises.

My fire lines clamor to hold on to him as he pulls away from me and walks out the door. I’m lost for a moment, overcome by a sense of vertigo and feeling as if the ground is unsteady beneath my feet. I draw in a long, shaky breath and go out to the hallway, rushing down its length to peer out the window.

My pulse ratchets higher.

Over a hundred Vu Trin sorceresses surround the North Tower. More are riding in by the minute, and behind them marches a contingent of Elfhollen archers in the pale gray uniforms of the Verpacian Guard.

And at the very far end of the field, a regiment of mounted Gardnerian soldiers has just reached the base of the long field and is paused there, as if calmly surveying the situation.

“Aislinn,” I gasp, and she looks to me, her eyes wide with fear. “They’re here,” I tell her. “The Gardnerians are here.” Her expression of terror gives way, her eyes suddenly blazing with reckless courage.

“Rafe!” I call out, quickly rushing into my lodging room. Once inside, I skid to a halt. Diana’s head is moving lazily back and forth as she lets out a low moan, Rafe’s hands tight around her arms.

“Rafe,” I say again. “The Gardnerians are here.”

Rafe’s gaze whips toward me. He opens his mouth to respond, but then Diana cries out and opens her eyes. Rafe turns back to her, and she stares at him quietly for a long moment.

Then she begins to scream.

“Oh, Diana,” Rafe says brokenly, trying to hold on to her as she twists and writhes in agony.

“Mypack!” Diana screams. “Theykilledthem! I’m going to kill themall!” Her voice breaks off into a long, tortured wail that shatters my heart. “Myfather! Mymother! Mysister! Oh, Kendra!Kendra!” She sobs uncontrollably. “We’re all alone! Jarod and I areall alone!”

Boot heels sound in the hall, and then Ni Vin appears at the door in full uniform, weapons strapped all over her body. “Everyone but the Lupines must leave,” she orders. “The Gardnerians are coming.”

Rafe takes Diana’s head firmly in both of his hands. “You’renotalone, Diana.”

“Yes, weare!” she cries, her eyes tightly shut.

“Diana, look at me!” Rafe says, his voice breaking. “You’re not alone. I love you.I love you. I’ll love youforever. Do you understand?”

She opens her eyes to look at him, violently sobbing as he holds on tight to her gaze.

“I know that right now you want to take them down,” Rafe says. “That you want to kill as many Gardnerian soldiers as you can before they cut you down. But I need you tolive, Diana. And if you only live for one thing...live forme.Can you do that, Diana? Can you stay alive for me?”

“Mypeople!” she wails.

“What would your father want you to do, Diana?”

“He’sdead!” she snarls.

“I know, love. But what would he want?”

Diana pauses for a moment, looking up at him. “He’d want me to live!” she cries.

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