Page 100 of Queen of Legends and Lies
She nods, sinking back against the cushions as the guards bear her away, back to the haven of her chambers.
With a flutter of wings, Healer Luci descends from the sky, approaching from the gardens with several bags filled to the brim.
She alights in the courtyard, already barking orders in a voice accustomed to instant obedience. “You there! Fetch cleanwater and bandages. You, find me splints and slings. The rest of you, start triaging the wounded. Most critical cases first.”
The soldiers scramble to do her bidding, some racing off on their appointed errands while others begin gently sorting through the injured. I catch a glimpse of blood, burned flesh, and shattered bone, before I wrench my gaze away in search of Sterling, who somehow managed to vanish within the last few seconds.
Shouts and groans of pain bounce off the rubble-strewn cobblestones as I navigate the chaos of the courtyard. When I spot broad shoulders and shiny black hair, I veer in that direction.
Sterling. Thank the gods.
He kneels beside a prone figure, wrapping a bandage around a jagged gash in a young guard’s leg.
Bastian crouches at his side, expression grim. A few paces away, Agnar and Leesa tend to another injured soldier.
Torn between who to help, I turn my gaze back to Sterling. From this vantage, I can tell the guard is unconscious, but his chest still rises with his labored breathing.
I drop to my knees on Sterling’s other side. “How badly were we hit?”
His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t glance up. “Bad. We’ve got a few casualties and multiple critical injuries. The healers are overwhelmed. They weren’t going for straight kills this time. They were wounding as well.”
“I’ll help.” I start to rise, but Sterling’s hand shoots out, clamping around my wrist.
“Lark, wait.” His dark, worried eyes find mine. “You need to be careful. Let people help you. Trying to do everything yourself isn’t sustainable.”
I glance from his earnest face to Bastian’s, conflicted. They mean well. But how can I stand back and delegate when mypeople are suffering, and I’m the one with the power to do something?
Bastian stays silent, but I can feel the weight of his stare. Assessing. Judging. For once, I’m grateful for his reticence.
Sterling’s fingers tighten on my wrist, dragging my focus back to him. “Please, Lark. I know you want to help. I know your instincts are screaming at you to act. But you have to consider the bigger picture.”
“The bigger picture?” I wrench my arm free and push to my feet in one smooth motion. “People are hurt. Dying. That’s the only picture I care about right now.”
“You’re not a healer. You need to let people do their jobs while we do ours.” He holds my gaze. “As leaders, it’s up to us to ensure it doesn’t happen again. However, we still have to take care of ourselves. If it comes down to either the world burning or your safety, I will choose my queen every time.”
My heart melts a little. “Don’t say things like that in public.”
“Why not?” Sterling’s eyes turn molten with desire, and my body instantly reacts. “Does it make you want to?—”
“Okay.” Bastian groans and shakes his head. “I think that’s my cue to leave. See where I can be of use.”
He rises, pats me on the shoulder, and strides away.
“Anyway,” I lean down to press a kiss to Sterling’s cheek, “I’ll take care of myself. I promise. I just need to do a few more things.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” Despite Sterling’s stern tone, I know the threat is empty. I’m not going to relax until I’m certain I’ve done everything possible to help. And neither is he.
As I head for the wall that was breached, Eldor materializes at my side and matches my furious pace.
Ash streaks his weathered face, but his russet eyes are clear and keen as they lock onto mine. “Have a minute to talk?”
“Now? I’m a bit preoccupied.”
“I understand that, but this is important.” He presses a steaming mug into my hands. The earthy scent of Alannah’s tea wafts up to tease my nostrils. “You must rehydrate. Pushing yourself to the brink of collapse won’t do anyone any good.”
Frustration lashes through me, but I know he’s right. With a muttered curse, I pause long enough to gulp down a few scalding mouthfuls. “The dragons? Are they all right? None of them feel off, but they’re all so angry it’s hard to tell.”
“A bit unsettled but unharmed.” Eldor points over his shoulder to the paddock where the raging thoughts are still swirling. “I was there when they landed. And none of them appeared to have any wounds.”
