Page 150 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

The Phoenix gives off a screech that reverberates in my bones—distress. I duck to evade the Phoenix’s flaming wings, which are still spread wide after he dropped to the ground. He caws, but I don’t pay him any mind, my gaze fixed on Ara’s still form on the ground.

She lies close to the burning tree line. The heat of the fire sears my face, making my skin taut, short of cracking. Blisters line the exposed skin of her arms and back. She’s only dressed in her pants and her wrap, soot darkening her skin, and I can’t see her face and stomach since she’s face down.

I sweep her up in my arms, sucking in a breath at how hot her skin is on mine. Cuts, bruises, and burns cover nearly every surface of her skin. I have no idea what hell she went through, but nothing will touch her now that I have her.

I cradle her close to my body and rush away from the heat.

Healing her right away would have been ideal, but she’s unconscious. The promise I made drives me insane even though I know why it has to be this way.

She is in my arms and still breathing. Everything is going to be alright.

The Phoenix looms in front of us, his wings still wide, his movements agitated.

He keeps everyone away.

Riders start to gather in front of him, and I stay back, forming a cocoon of cool air around us to have some relief from the heat.

“Can you get us?”I ask Daeva.

“You have to move farther out, or I’ll risk my wings catching fire.”There is a pause.“Solaris can take you if you can hold your shield around you until you arrive.”

“Solaris?”But I realize it has to be the Phoenix’s name before she answers.“Please thank him for the offer, and I mean no offense, but I think you would draw less attention.”

“I’ll get you. Twenty steps farther out, and I can pick you up.”

“Okay.”

I duck under Solaris’s wings, made a little more awkward by carrying Ara, and I’m instantly flanked by Jared and Cassius. Calix and Mariel come running, too.

Cassius speaks up next to me. “We have to get her to the healers.” The words remind me that she cannot see a healer under any circumstance. My eyes flit to Calix, but since he doesn’t show any reaction concerning Ara being very visibly a woman or Cassius’s slipup, he knows.

“Get back to the others and not a word to anyone,” I bark at them. “I got this.”

Jared is a quiet support next to me, sending them off when they try to follow despite my orders.

Daeva lands, Zephyr right behind her, and I reluctantly hand Ara over to Jared to get into the saddle before he hands her back to me.

“I’m right behind you,” he assures me. I nod, and we take off.

“Land right in front of the housing quarters,”I tell Daeva.

“Solaris will follow us,”Daeva informs me.

“Arguing against it won’t help, will it?”I ask.

Daeva clicks her beak, and the agitated movement of her head lets me know Solaris doesn’t seem to be a fan of my suggestion. But what did I expect? He bonded with Ara, so I would be very surprised if he’s someone who always listens and plays by the rules.

About ten minutes later, Daeva lands in the academy courtyard, and I’m already out of the saddle and moving before Zephyr lands behind me. I’m pushing through the door to the sleeping quarters when Jared catches up to me.

“That is not the way to the healing quarters,” he observes quietly but doesn’t try to stop me.

“She can’t see a healer.” My voice is clipped. My thoughts running in circles. She didn’t wake up, and I am not even sure if it’s her pulse or my own that vibrates through my body. I can’t let anyone near her while she’s unconscious, but what will I do if she doesn’t wake up?

Can I try to heal her nonetheless?

I hurry up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. We haven’t encountered anyone so far, and I hope it stays that way.

“Are you sure about not seeing a healer?” Jared’s voice is full of doubt, and I don’t blame him. Every moron would question my decision without all the information.

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