Page 202 of Red Ruin

I also won’t let them down.

“Form four squads, one for each defensive tower,” I order the captains. “Take out the horde with the same formations we used during the beast tide at Severed Shore. While you clear the walls, delegate Guides to treat the possessed Farguard Sentinels.”

As the captains regroup the Deathguard, I whirl to Remy. “Can you shadow-walk us all at once?”

“Easily. As long as I have your guidance.”

“You have it.” I’m not letting Remy out of my sight until the lich king is down. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Wait. This is important.” With zero sense of urgency, Remy peels the Deathguard badge from my fingers. He carefully pins it next to the Farguard’s shield, lining up the angles as his shadows smooth the wrinkles out of my cape.

Then, he steps back to admire his work.

“Done?”

“Close.” With fingers of smoke, Remy lifts my hand to his mouth. His bandages peel back, and he licks the blood off my palm with the flat of his tongue.

Pleasure ripples, hot and ticklish, but I can’t tell if it’s mine or his.

Probably both.

A hot grip tilts my jaw and breaks Remy’s hypnotic gaze.

“I want orders,” Vhex murmurs, drawing closer to my lips. “Tell me where you want me.”

I shiver. Hard.

One word from me, and we can be back in Remy’s bunker with no stress, no responsibilities, and not a single fuck given for the fate of the world.

It should worry me how little they care.

Instead, my jitters calm.

I always care about everyone and everything else. I’ve got that part so under wraps that I’ll never need help.

“Watch my back,” I whisper as I sneak a smoky kiss. Vhex’s fire sparks against my lips. I pull back, trying to lick away his heat, but the tingles sink into my teeth.

“You’re all I ever see.” Vhex’s hands are everywhere. His kiss finds my throat. He mixes soft, longing licks with the scrape of the fang that drives me fucking insane.

“Not now.” I twist from his grip and hope no one catches me holding back a shudder.

I’ll take care of saving the day.

Vhex and Remy only need to care about me.

“Later?” Vhex asks.

Remy takes my hand. “Shall we try to make it sooner?”

I like that plan.

“Don’t forget our bags.” I jerk my chin toward Luca and Kevan. With adrenaline heating my blood, I raise my voice for the guard. “Be ready for the fight.”

CHAPTER47

IRIS

Remy’s shadowsbunch around me. I take a deep breath in the moment of night-black silence.

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