Page 44 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

Shit. I hope Kyronos doesn’t punish Joel for keeping my secret.

The whole nextday is just one never-ending, grueling walk. Kyronos is in a bad mood and doesn’t even let us stop for lunch, so we are forced to eat while walking.

The sky has only the barest hint of bluish-green light left, and my only hope is that we have to stop soon so we don’t risk our necks.

I stumble over loose rubble, and only Calix grabbing my backpack keeps me from falling flat on my face. Someone dissolved the bones in my legs, leaving only a jellied mess unable to support my weight much longer.

“We will stop soon, right?” Even my voice isn’t much more than a whisper.

“By Elet’s mercy, I hope so.” Calix sounds as bad as I feel. I stumble again, and the steadying tug on my backpack tells me he caught me yet again.

I groan with relief when, only minutes later, Kyronos signals us to stop. My butt hits the ground, and I sprawl awkwardly on top of my pack. I don’t care how it looks. I need a minute.

Calix slumps down next to me, leaning against me and my pack. I close my eyes and concentrate on relaxing all the muscles that are screaming bloody murder at the moment.

“Shit, I could sleep just like this. No need for bedrolls,” Calix groans.

“I know what you mean. I would do anything if it means I don’t have to move again.” I sigh longingly at that thought.

The heavy steps of booted feet stop right next to my head. I blink my eyes open, and I’m greeted by an upside-down version of Joel glaring down at me. Since our centurion excused me from my duties last night, I evaded him by retiring early. He doesn’t look happy about it. I close my eyes, hoping he’ll go away if I ignore him.

He coughs—no such luck, then.

I open my eyes again. “What?”

“Get up. I want to talk to you,” he growls, his gaze wandering to Calix next to me. “Alone.”

“Is that an order? Otherwise, it’s a no thanks from me.” I yawn.

“A…” He closes his eyes. “Summer.” He looks at Calix again. “Ilario, set up for the night.” He pauses. “That is an order.” I snake my arm around Calix's chest to prevent him from rising and glare up at Joel. I’m pissed.

“So that is how you want to play it now?” I hiss out, trying to keep my voice down so as not to draw attention.

Someone stops next to my feet.

“Is there a problem here?” A tingle snakes up my body at his voice, and my head snaps up, meeting Kyronos's gaze, who stands next to my feet. His gaze wanders over Calix and me, stopping at my arm around Calix's chest. I let it fall away. Kyronos looks at Joel, his eyebrows raised.

“No, no problem, Centurion.” Joel’s voice sounds stiff and formal.

“Glad to hear that.” Kyronos's lips twitch, then he points at Calix. “Now, Ilario get settled. I doubt Summer wants to play your cushion all night. Cassius, do your job and appoint guards for the night. Summer, come with me.” He rattles the commands off in one breath, and I can’t help but notice that giving orders suits him.

And why the fuck do I think that’s hot?

Calix and Joel hurry off, leaving us alone.

Kyronos extends a hand to help me up, and I take it. Tingles shoot up my arm, but they are better than the awkward shuffle I would have done otherwise with the weight of the backpack holding me down. He pulls me up with ease. I smile my thanks, ready to snatch my hand away as soon as I take in his magic, but it doesn’t come. I look at our hands, stunned. That has never happened before.

Then I realize I’m standing in front of him, still holding his hand, and I drop it.

His lips twitch again, then he turns and leads me off to the side, away from the others so that no one can overhear our conversation. He turns to me. His uniform nearly melts into the darkness of the forest behind him. The light is so low now that I can’t read his expression.

“This is now the second time I find you in the middle of an argument with your squadron leader. It’s inappropriate.” I open my mouth, but his raised hand stops me before I get out a word. My eyes follow his hand, and my gaze is drawn to a strange bluish glow behind him. It floats at the height of my chest, unmoving. “I don’t know what is going on with you and Cassius, but—”

My mind catches up with what my eyes see. The blue glow comes from the hands of a person barely illuminated by it. Magic.

I grab Kyronos, using my momentum and the added weight of my backpack to turn us and push him away before the sizzling bluish-white light hits me. Engulfs me. Drowns out everything but the pain. It is everywhere and everything, burning, all-consuming, smothering … worse than anything I’ve ever felt before.

Chapter

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