Page 20 of The Oracle of Dusk

“Isn’t it?”

“Oh no you don’t! No. This isn’t your doing.”

“If I had wild magic—”

“Do you control the celestial bodies? The wills of all the gods, tangible and intangible? Did you create the monstrosities? No. Don’t you dare blame yourself for this.” Phaedra’s lips pursed into a thin line, sweat rolling down her brow.

“But the guards—”

“Died protecting me. If anyone is to blame for their deaths, it’s me. I chose to be here, and their duty was to follow. I understood the risks I was taking with their lives and mine when I followed you. That burden is mine alone.” She raised her chin, her brown eyes flinty with determination. It was the look she wore when she assumed the role of imperial princess. Her armour against the pangs of her wounded heart.

Aurora looked away, only to catch the sight of blood pooling beneath Phaedra’s mount.

“Fae, what happened?”

“Nothing. It’s fine. It’s just a light scratch.”

Light scratch, her foot! Silvanus could heal wounds caused by the monstrosities.

“Silvanus!”

“For the love of the Triad,” Phaedra muttered.

Aurora dismounted and hurried to Phaedra’s side, which was most definitely not fine. The whole right side of her was drenched in blood, her clothes torn. Silvanus rushed over and they both helped her down from the saddle. Phaedra swore a blue streak, her face deathly pale by the time she sat on the ground. Aurora peeled the clothes away as best she could, allowing Fae to lean on her, her heart in her throat the whole while. Silvanus dispatched the rest with quick, business-like cuts from a hidden dagger. When he laid his hands atop the gory sight, Phaedra cried out.

“Fuck! Ah, goddesses. A-and here I thought I wasn’t your type.”

“If you can joke, you’re not nearly as wounded as you appear,” Silvanus assured her, his divine magic closing the wounds as if they’d never existed.

“Or maybe Iamyour type, now that I’m in distress,” Phaedra hissed, eyes closed against the pain.

Whatever tension had kept Phaedra upright collapsed the moment she was fully healed. She slumped into Aurora’s arms, the only evidence of her harrowing experience her tattered clothes and blood-stained skin, now blessedly free of grisly gashes.

Aurora tightened her hold on Phaedra, thanking the merciful Triad for sparing her friend.

“I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Phaedra placed a hand over Aurora’s and squeezed back.

“I watched you get injured. What were you protecting that was more important than your life, Your Highness?” Silvanus asked.

“None of your concern.” Phaedra’s whisper held more venom than Aurora thought possible.

“Well, it’smyconcern, andIwant to know,” Aurora retorted, fear and anger making her tremble. Phaedra was often reckless, but how could she risk herself like this? Against monstrosities, no less.

Phaedra dug into her tattered cloak’s pocket and produced a small box.

“It was supposed to be your awakening gift. But this temple rat ruined the surprise.”

Aurora snatched it from Phaedra, the urge to throw it as far as she could coiling through her.

“How dare you?” Aurora choked on a sob, tightening her hold on Phaedra with one arm. “How could you think some trinket is worth your life?”

“My blood, sweat and tears went into this, so you’d better open it,” Phaedra huffed.

Tears fell in earnest then as she one-handedly peeled off the crimson-soaked wrapping cloth. Aurora recognised the pattern. It was one of Phaedra’s favourite silk scarves. The floral print was barely recognizable now.

“I’ll never forgive you for this,” Aurora sniffled as she tried and failed to undo a knot, wet and sticky and swollen from blood.

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