Page 62 of Scorched By Fate

I paced through the makeshift infirmary, boots scraping softly across uneven stone. Somewhere in my mind, Vyne’s voice kept replaying like an echo stuck on repeat.

“You’re mine.”

I tried to pretend I had everything under control, but that declaration rattled inside me, refusing to fade.

The Drakarn’s ragged breathing pulled my attention back to the present. Their condition was improving, but each breath still sounded like it fought through a layer of sickness that didn’t fully want to let go. The vyrathis extract had helped stabilize them—enough that their labored wheezing wasn't quite so ominous—but it wasn’t a miracle. We had to wait for healing to happen naturally.

I hated leaning on hope that felt so fragile.

I stopped by Mysha’s cot, checking her temperature with the back of my hand. The soft glimmer of her scales was reassuring. She felt hot, but not feverish. Her chest rose and fell in a steadier rhythm than yesterday, but there was still a long way to go.

I exhaled slowly, letting my hand drop back to my side. The memory of Vyne heated my thoughts. His gaze, his stronggrip. I was trying to push those feelings aside, but each time I remembered the slow burn in his eyes, my stomach fluttered traitorously.

Now wasnotthe time for that. These people needed me focused. I shook my head, forcing my mind to return to the scene in front of me.

Then there was Reika

She looked so small in a space intended for towering Drakarn warriors. Her breathing was shallow but steady, and her forehead glistened with fresh sweat. At least the fever was no longer raging like it had been. She didn’t stir when I approached.

But I wasn't her only visitor.

Khorlar watched her with a stillness that made my skin prickle. I swallowed, unsure if I should say anything. The hush in the cavern was almost loud in a strange way, and I didn't want to disturb it.

Khorlar rose in one swift motion, ignoring me outright, and marched away, tall frame melting into the shadows near the exit.

What was he even doing there in the first place?

I kneaded my temple with my thumb before lowering myself at Reika’s side. Gingerly, I brushed a damp lock of hair off her forehead. Her breathing hitched under my touch, though she didn’t wake. Dull purple bruises mottled her arms. I hated to think of what had been done to her.

The hush abruptly broke as distant footsteps raced toward us. The way they thudded—a rapid, uneven cadence—made the fine hairs on my neck rise. Kira lurched into the healing cavern, looking winded and wild-eyed.

I stood and took a step toward her, worry punching through my own exhaustion. “Is everything okay?”

Her gaze darted from bed to bed. She didn't respond to me; I'm not even sure she saw me.

“Where is she?” Kira’s voice rang through the cavern, cutting through the moan of the sick and stirring an uneasy flutter among the Drakarn who weren’t fully unconscious. “Where's Larissa?”

Her eyes were frantic. “Kira,” I edged closer, “who are you looking for?” But I had a sick feeling in my stomach. I already knew.

Kira's chest heaved, words tumbling out almost incoherently. “My sister. They said there was another human. That you found someone. Where?—"

Then she spotted Reika. The color drained from Kira’s face as she hurried over, dropping to her knees with a raw cry. My pulse stuttered. I'd never seen someone's heart break right in front of me before.

“No,” she gasped, voice dissolving in a half-sob, half-denial. “No, no, no?—”

She gripped Reika’s arms, as though if she held on tightly enough, Reika might become the sister she was so desperately wishing for. Her one wrenching sob tore at my gut. I stepped in behind Kira and crouched down.

“I’m sorry.” It felt so hollow.

Tears rolled unchecked down her face. “I thought if I just kept hoping …” Her voice broke, and she bowed her head until her forehead touched the edge of the cot. “She's dead, isn't she? They're all dead.”

My own heart twisted. “We can't know that,” I said, as gentle as I could manage. “But maybe Reika can tell us what she knows. When she wakes up.”

There was no telling if Reika had been on the same ship we'd been on. It made sense. How many ways were there for humans to end up on Volcaryth? But jumping to conclusion could give Kira false hope. And she was already on the edge of falling apart.

She sniffed, nodding in a jerky motion, tears still brimming in her eyes. Slowly, she loosened her hold on Reika. Just as she was getting herself steady, a new presence disrupted the quiet.

Vega entered in her usual brash fashion, scanning the rows of beds with a quick, sweeping look. “So we found another human. The guys in charge are going tolovethat."

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