Page 132 of Warlord's Plaything

Some fall. Some run.

The tide of battle shifts.

But it is not enough.

There are still too many.

Even with Hira burning through them like a god of war, even with magic on our side?—

We are still outnumbered.

"We have to leave!"Varian is beside me now, hauling me up, shoving a weapon into my hands."We can’t hold this ground!"

I know he’s right.

I know staying here means death.

But my gaze is locked on her.

On Hira, still fighting, still bleeding, still refusing to run.

And I see it in her eyes?—

She’s ready to die for this.

"Hira!"I shout, pushing through the chaos.

She doesn’t hear me.

She is too far gone, lost in the storm of her own power.

She is letting it consume her.

Because she thinks she has nothing left.

Because she thinks she has already lost.

I grab her before she can charge back into the massacre.

Her body is scorching hot against mine, magic still rippling off her skin like wildfire.

"We go. NOW."I snarl into her ear.

"No,"she fights me, voice hoarse, shaking."Dagen—Sella?—"

"They’re GONE."My grip tightens, dragging her back from the edge."We are NOT dying here!"

She collapses against me.

The fight leaves her, just for a moment.

A shuddering breath.

A whisper against my chest.

"I love you."

The words tear through me.

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