Page 20 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

“My king,” a woman murmured as she kneeled beside me.

All I could do was watch the three of them get farther away and focus on my fated-mate connection with Lira. The spot became hot, but not like the normal warmth of our connection. Was this what it felt like when someone with a fated mate died? The separation was like searing apart our two souls that had been connected.

“Lira—” I rasped, but I wasn’t sure if it was audible. Even though the bond burned, I held on to it because it was the only thing I had now that she’d been taken from me.

More people surrounded me, all sorts of hands touching me, but I didn’t hear what they were saying, nor did I care what they were doing to me. There would be no saving me.

Finola appeared above me. She scanned the area for threats before focusing on me.

“They took Lira,” I strangled out, using most of the energy I had left. Finola was now the only one I trusted to ensure Lira remained unharmed.

Her face strained with indecision.

“Go save her,” I growled, the vibration causing the dagger to tear more of the muscles and likely an artery in my neck, but that didn’t matter. I would be dead in seconds anyway. In fact, I was surprised I hadn’t died yet.

Huffing, Finola nodded. “Moor, guard Tavish and take him somewhere comfortable. I’ll gather a group to chase after Lira.”

Moor pressed his lips together like he might object until Finola nodded at me.

“Be careful.” Moor hung his shoulders. “I fear there might be more to this attack.”

I wanted to yell at them to stop talking and obey their king, but when I tried to open my mouth, I couldn’t.

“Tavish!” Caelan cried. Two of the women gathered on my left side vanished as he pushed through and took their spot at my side.

When his gaze landed on my wound, his face blanched. “I’m taking him to his room!” he shouted over his shoulder, and he slid his hands underneath my head and knees and lifted me like a princess.

The way I should have been carrying Lira to save her from danger. Instead, Caelan was saving me.

Air ruffled my hair as the sky lightened to dusk, the sun peeking through some of the dark clouds. Further proof that my magic was weakening.

“What the blast happened?” Caelan snarled, but his eyes remained forward, aimed toward the window in the hallway next to my bedchamber.

“Lira…” I took in a ragged breath, the world spinning around me. The spot in my chest warmed even more. “Kidnapped.”

“I’m not worried about her right now.” Caelan’s jaw clenched as we breezed through a window frame. “I’m upset about my best friend and king getting stabbed in the neck and lying in front of the doors of his kingdom, bleeding out in front of everyone. If the goal was for you to look as weak as possible, Eldrin succeeded masterfully.”

Even though his words were true, I couldn’t find the energy to care. Not when Lira’s life was at risk. She was more important than my ego. At least, the latter could be fixed.

He turned from the hall, throwing open my bedchamber door, and settled me in bed. Lira’s wild roses, mist, and vanilla scent filled my nose, and my chest ached deeply once again.

More people ran into the room, but my vision hazed. I had lost too much blood.

“That blade is at an awful angle.” Moor stalked around the bed, taking in the left side of my neck. “If we want a chance for him to live, we need to get it out, or it’ll keep tearing muscle, and the bleeding won’t stop.”

“I don’t know if that’s wise.” Caelan winced. “At least not now.”

In other words, he wanted to wait until I died but didn’t want to say it in front of me. Caelan had always worried too much about me and tended to choose the wrong things to focus on… like me being with Lira when I’d already made up my mind. I’d already accepted that I’d be dead soon. I just needed to know that they’d protect Lira.

“Remove it,” I gritted out. I didn’t want Lira to wake up and feel me suffering. She’d already be going through so much; she didn’t need to worry about me.

Caelan’s eyes widened. “Tavish, no. If we—”

With the little strength I had, I gripped Caelan’s hand. “I am your king. Don’t question me—but I need you to promise something. Something I would ask only of you and Finnian.” I had the most trust in the two of them. We’d been friends since childhood, and they’d remained by my side even when my people had risen against me, which had made their own lives hell.

He sighed as he placed his other hand on top of our joined ones and vowed, “You don’t have to ask. I already know what you’re going to say. Since I will never call Eldrin king, I will do everything possible to find Lira and keep her safe. You have my word.” His voice quivered ever so slightly but enough that I heard it.

I nodded. If no one else had been around, I would’ve thanked him. Instead, I squeezed his hand as hard as I could, hoping he understood.

---