Page 80 of The Court of Thorns and Wings

I cringed when my hand touched the dried blood in his fur. I fought through the instinct to jerk my hand back, and Nightbane let out a contented sigh.

Realization washed over me. I knew we’d talked about keeping my healing ability a secret, but I trusted everyone here. I lifted my head to meet Tavish’s gaze. Soon I would have chains on my wings, preventing me from tapping into my magic. I remembered the way I’d felt during the gauntlet when they’d chained my newly returned wings. Part of me had gone missing. I could only imagine what it would feel like now that I’d grown accustomed to them.If I heal us enough that we regain some of our strength while still looking injured, we might have a better chance to get out of here.I nibbled on my bottom lip, dreading Tavish’s response.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.

I pressed on, knowing his one weakness.If I don’t heal myself, I won’t be able to fly if we get a chance soon. But if I heal myself, the others might notice and ask questions.

The corners of his lips tipped upward, and when he opened his eyes, the irises had lightened marginally.You’re learning how to get your way with me, sprite. I’m not sure I like it.

I crinkled my nose, trying not to return a smile. Even in a cramped jail cell, he made the world seem less bleak, if only for a moment.That’s not what your face is saying.

You and Eiric speak so strangely still, even with your memories restored.He exhaled, allowing his shoulders to hunch.I assume, since my face can’t actually speak, you’re suggesting I’m not upset that you know me so well, and you’re right. I blasting love that you know you’re my weakness. Your well-being and happiness surpass everything.

Nightbane lifted his head and stared into my eyes. The light-green color pulled at my heart. I could ease his pain.

Eiric has proven she’ll do whatever’s needed to keep you safe, and I trust Finnian and Caelan. Since you’re right and we’re in a dire situation, I agree with you, especially about healing your wings.

Some of the weight lifted from my body, and the healing magic swirled deep within me, readying to release. My magic was weak, but I had enough to repair some of the damage.

My gaze dropped back to Nightbane, and I allowed the warm, healing magic to flow into my wings and through my hand.

The sharp pain in my wings faded. I couldn’t heal us completely. The guards would come and place chains on my wings to restrain me, and I couldn’t be back to normal health. But I could have the wounds scabbing over.

I allowed the magic to flow freely into Nightbane and watched as the cut on his nose slowly closed. His breathing became less labored, and he opened his large mouth, allowing his tongue to roll out.

Eiric sucked in a breath. “That dog’s nose is healing. How is that possible? Is that part of his magic?”

“What?” Finnian yawned, and then he gasped. “No. Cù-sìth heal like normal fae.”

“You two, calm down.” Tavish turned his back toward me to address the others. “Don’t alert anyone outside this cell. Lira is healing him, but that secret remains between us. That’s how I know Eldrin isn’t the one who saved me. Lira came to me that night. She kept me from dying.”

Caelan’s head tilted back. “How long have you known this?”

“Since her memories came back while we were in Gleann Solas.”

“That must be why she didn’t die at the end of the gauntlet.” Finnian clasped his hands together. “We all heard her heart stop.I’m so glad Lira is here. She’s made our world so much more interesting. If she wasn’t yours—”

A deep, threatening snarl came from Tavish’s chest, and even though our bond was cool, the heat of his anger bled through.

“Finish that sentence and I shall kill you here with my bare hands.” Tavish’s words ended in a snarl. “And I won’t have one ounce of regret for doing it.”

“Just let me finish.” Finnian smiled widely, showing his teeth. “You could be wrong.”

Calean hung his head. “Finnian, this isn’t the time to pester him. Do you value your own life?”

“We don’t have time for any of this.” Eiric’s jaw dropped. “We shouldn’t be expending energy. We should be saving it for later. And what is this gauntlet everyone keeps speaking of, and how did Lira almost die? Why weren’t the king and queen informed of this?”

My chest tightened. She wouldn’t like the answer about the gauntlet. “This is how Finnian copes with stress, and the gauntlet is in the past. None of that matters now. It’s over.” At times like this, I wondered how Tavish and Finnian had remained friends, but then I remembered how loyal Finnian was to us. He just enjoyed riling up Tavish.If you ignored him, he wouldn’t do it nearly as often. He won’t say what you expect. Just let him finish so E doesn’t kill him because she doesn’t like jokes in situations like these.

Nor do I, Tavish replied and clenched his hands at his sides.

My wings still ached, but the pain no longer stole my breath. I pulled my healing magic back in. Neither Nightbane nor I needed to be completely healed. Doing this much might already raise questions. Still… I couldn’t allow my friend to suffer like that.

When I dropped my hands, Nightbane climbed to his feet and shook out his fur like he wanted to get the blood off. Thatwould require water, and even though I could do that, I didn’t want the guards to notice I was back here using magic.

“Let me get past you two,” I murmured, knowing Caelan needed some of my magic.

As I stepped between Tavish and Finnian, I felt the toll that healing Nightbane and myself had taken on me. A decent amount of my magic had been used, and it thrummed inside me faintly. Healing Caelan even a little was better than nothing.

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