Page 24 of The Omega Thief

“Follow you?” Thakeray qualified, wheezing.

Raz nodded. His scent was the most powerful in his wolf form, and he believed his wolf could better sense Attiker’s. Raz didn’t bother unbuttoning anything, and he heard the rip as he let the Fenrir overtake him. The immediate snarl as his wolf—furious at inactivity when their bonded was missing—seemed to rip himself from Raz’s body. Thakeray gaped and took a good step back. Raz ignored him.

He could feel the Fenrir searching for his bonded. He stilled and let his mind open, hoping the white wolf would walk in. He had a second to register that he couldn’t sense the white wolf at all, and then he was off. The Fenrir had either smelled or sensed something. He knew Thakeray would do his best to follow, but he simply allowed his wolf to take over. He knew they were running out of time. Sensed the increasing desperation in his wolf as he ran past the Bluebell and headed for the docks. His heart hammered in his chest. Had Attiker gotten a sail? For the first time since he had found his bonded missing, the thought that Attiker had deliberately left him nearly brought his wolf to his knees.

He knew Attiker had panicked. Maybe gone to meet friends. But the longer he was missing, Raz had become convinced someone had taken him.

But what if he was wrong?

What if Attiker had hated the idea of a bond so much, he’d bought a passage simply to escape? He would be God-knew-where in possible agony. Dying. Because he didn’t know the risk. Because Raz had kept that knowledge from him. because Raz didn’t deserve him.

Something seemed to check his run, and almost immediately, the Fenrir whirled around behind some crates. They were a few feet from the water, but his wolf had either sensed or smelled something to make him stop.

Raz concentrated on his wolf, feeling what he could. He lifted his nose and caught a scent of something familiar, except it was chased with such a bitter afternote that Raz wanted to gag. It was Attiker, but he was in pain, agony. He couldn’t scent Attiker’s wolf and knew the only thing that his own wolf could pick up on was Attiker’s scent. He immediately shifted back, and his gaze narrowed on the ramshackle collection of barns. He was standing next to one with a half-open door, which seemed careless, and then it hit him so hard he stumbled.

Bonded. Attiker was in there. Raz didn’t hesitate to even check it wasn’t a trap, pulled at the door, and ran inside, heading for the far corner where another door hung open. He was down the rickety steps in an instant and headed between the old ale barrels to the far corner. He managed to slow his rush when he saw Attiker’s limp body and could feel his Fenrir searching desperately for Attiker’s wolf.

His eyes took in the small curled-up form, his ears barely hearing a rattled breath, and he fell to his knees, very gently gathering his bonded in his arms and holding him close. Touch was vital, but Raz couldn’t sense Attiker’s wolf at all. He could barely sense Attiker, knowing their separation was shutting down Attiker’s body, one system at a time. He didn’t need to share his desperation with his wolf. His Fenrir could command Attiker to shift and heal, but neither of them could find Attiker’s wolf.

Raz buried his head into the nape of Attiker’s neck and pleaded with his wolf to somehow save their bonded’s life.

But Raz was deathly afraid it was already far too late.

Chapter eleven

Razheardtheshoutfrom upstairs and knew Thakeray had caught him up, but he didn’t have time to call for a cart. He yelled back but gently gathered Attiker in his arms and strode to the steps. Thakeray’s expression when he saw who Raz carried told him he wasn’t just imagining the worst. Without much fuss, Thakeray draped Raz’s cloak around him and tucked it in so they were both covered.

“A cart?”

Raz shook his head. “A horse.”

Thakeray turned and ran. Raz heard yelling, swords drawn, then Thakeray appeared with a runner. The dock employed people to fetch and carry messages between ship captains and traders, ensuring they took a cut. The runners also doubled as security. They ensured a ship couldn’t slip its moorings quietly without paying mooring tax or berthed without permission, usually in the middle of the night, staying just long enough to unload their cargo and get coin for it, then sailing on the next tide. The bigger ships had rowers that would take them out quickly rather than relying on the smaller tugs and rowers the docks employed, and that obviously they had to pay for.

The runner led a cart horse, and from somewhere, Thakeray had gotten another. Thakeray held his arms out, knowing he couldn’t mount with Attiker in his arms, and Raz quickly obeyed the silent request even though he hated every second. Raz’s wolf hated it even more, but in a moment, he was astride, and Attiker was back in his arms. Raz turned, entrusting Thakeray to catch him up, and saw the glint of a few half-marks exchange hands, ensuring silence and guaranteeing the horses’ return. Thakeray had probably just paid for the equivalent of three horses, but Raz didn’t care.

He was both grateful and agonized at the same time. The horse seemed happy to trot but lumbered no faster. Thakeray caught them easily, and Raz sent him a speaking glance. His mount was much smaller but swifter, and Thakeray leaned over and took the reins from him.

Thakeray heeled his own slightly skittish mount, and the jerk from the cart horse nearly unseated Raz and his precious bundle, but he leaned forward to keep his balance, and the cart horse obeyed.

They galloped up the hill to the castle, Raz’s horse heaving each breath. When they came in sight of the gates, Thakeray checked his horse. “No matter,” Raz shouted. He didn’t care if they were seen. He just needed to get Attiker to the healers as swiftly as possible. Raz yanked at his hood so the stunned guards recognized him and opened up. Then they clattered to a stop in the courtyard. Hands reached for Attiker, and Raz snarled, his wolf unable to bear another’s touch on his bonded.

Thakeray jumped down and strode over. “Sire.” He reached out, and Raz let go, jumping down and then nearly yanking Attiker back into his arms.

Thakeray led the way to the royal chambers, shouting summons for the master healer to be woken and present himself as an emergency. Every guard they passed drew back, and they remained unchallenged. They were in the healer’s chamber in what seemed like moments.

“Your Highness.”

Raz glanced over at Laronne when he heard the voice of the master healer. “Highness, I need to examine him.”

But Raz couldn’t seem to let him go.

“I need you to lay on the bed with your bonded. It’s very important that you remain connected.”

Raz heaved a sigh of relief and did as he was bidden. Laronne issued orders to minions as another unfolded a sheet and blanket to cover them both so Raz could remove the cloak. Raz lay quiet, but watchful, as Laronne checked to see if Attiker would rouse or even take a little water. He did neither. Razz sent Thakeray to bed but Thakeray refused, retreating to a respectful distance. After the first panic had abated, Laronne perched himself at the bottom of the bed they lay on and caught his prince’s gaze.

“Tell me,” Raz bit out, even though he really didn’t want to know.

Laronne nodded. “His Highness is dying.”

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