Page 106 of Shadows of Ruin

Pursing my lips, I continued our ride. I didn’t need his silent reminder to let her be. I hadn’t tried to talk to her again since last night. But I worried nonetheless.

Smoke and the first few scattered homes came into sight in front of us, and I leaned forward. “Faster,” I whispered to my horse, knowing who waited for me there.

We flew, galloping across the field closer to Valeford.

A familiar caw broke through the sky. Ian’s hawk appeared moving toward me as quickly as my horse took me toward him.

My hands shook. I leaned forward, desperate to see if this was real.

Please,I begged the Fates.Please do not let this be a dream.

Ian cawed again and I sobbed.

Raya was right, Ian was here. She’d told me the truth.

I cried harder, choking and blubbering until I could make out the feathers of his wings in his dramatic dive. I barely slowed the horse before I jumped from him, running thedistance to where Ian hurtled to the ground, transforming out of his hawk form.

I wanted to call his name, to shout it as I tripped over myself, desperate to get to him. I couldn’t get a single word out though as he ran to meet me.

I threw myself into Ian’s arms, crashing into each other, and I shattered.

I held onto him tightly, crying into his neck.

“Lan,” he choked out. I felt his own tears falling on my skin.

I shook as uncontrollable sobs escaped. “Tell me it’s real,” I managed to say between sobs.

“Real as roses.” He pulled away and cupped my face in his hands. “I’m here. You’re here. Real as roses.”

He said it like he needed to hear those words too, so I said it back. “Real as roses.”

I hugged him fiercely and we fell to the ground. He held me, rubbing my back. I knew the others finally caught up when they dismounted around us, but I didn’t care. Ian was here. Safe.

Slowly, but too soon, he made the first move to separate our bodies from each other. Tears still streamed down my face, my nose running. I sniffled, staring into his vibrant blue eyes.

Eyes holding untold pain, and my heart broke all over again. “Ian.”

My heart constricted as I assessed him for injuries. Though none were visible, I knew he hadn’t been treated kindly. Part of me could feel the anguish radiating off him. But it didn’t matter. Whatever he’d experienced, I’d be there to help him through it. Just as he’d spent our entire lives helping me.

He took my hand, pressing it to his face as he held it there, trying to give me a smile, even a broken one.

We rose from the ground, neither of us looking away from each other yet. There was so much to say, but I couldn't findany words through the absolute joy of knowing he was all right.

I felt Kade before I saw him as he approached us cautiously, Storm at his side.

“Captain,” Kade said, bowing his head slightly.

Ian’s face fell the moment he looked at Kade. Without warning, he shoved me behind him, took two strides toward Kade, and punched him square in the face.

Chapter 30

Lana

“Iwill kill you,” Ian shouted, lunging forward, wildly taking another swing at Kade.

I scrambled toward them. “Ian,” I yelled, but my voice caught in my raw throat. “Wait!”

Ian landed another blow to Kade’s jaw, one he should have easily deflected but didn’t.

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