Page 78 of Enchanted Crown
Screaming down the bond, I had time to plead only one last time.SHIFT.
CHAPTER 28
With a roar of pain, Esta did exactly that. She shifted into her human form, still falling.
Relief flooded me, knowing that with my magic waiting below her, even if I couldn’t grab her in time, I did know there was at least enough of my power waiting for her at the bottom that I would catch her. She was far lighter in this form.
I swooped in and caught her just as she hit my magic barrier, noting that the spear was gone from both forms, but still left a gaping hole in her human form. I reminded myself the shifters healed faster than the non-Enchanted. But that didn’t ease my rage in seeing her bleed.
I raced us toward the ground. Zaire next to me.
“Get me a healer on the wayrightnow,” I demanded of him.
The dragon gave me a nod and turned his head in the direction of where Malachi was coming from as he communicated with them.
I love you.
“Do not,” I snapped at her, taking her cheek in my hand as we landed. “There will be absolutely no goodbyes. No pyres.”
It wasn’t until that moment I realized she had finally used the bond. Was she in too much pain to speak out loud? Had she done it intentionally?
I love you,she repeated.And I’m sorry, Keir.
I wiped a tear off her face with the arm not holding her carefully to my body. “Dammit, why didn’t you listen to me, Es?” It was a simple question which applied to both her not using the bond and not listening when I told her to avoid the area she got shot at. Dual purpose.
I didn’t want them to get to you before I did. I couldn’t—I didn’t—I felt nothing but fear. Until the spear.
I moved, gently setting her to the ground to take off my shirt. I tore it into one long strip before tenderly moving Esta to wrap it around her body, applying pressure. By the time I had it set, the bleeding was already slowing.
I’ll be fine,she told me down the bond.
No part of this is fine,I responded while I worked.
Malachi landed next to me, the shifters immediately forming a barrier of safety around their queen. I took a deep inhale, already feeling better with their presence. With his presence.
What do you need?he asked.
Esta grabbed my hand.Go. Before they hurt someone else. I’ll be right here. Waiting for the healer. Go take care of whatever monster dared to think they could mess with you. With us.
“I can’t leave you,” I told her out loud, more so for Malachi waiting so he could listen in.
I will stay with her,Malachi told me, determination laced into every word.You and Zaire go help Nyx and Muscles.
If Esta wasn’t fatally hurt and Morana was out there... dammit if I didn’t want to go help. Nyx and Dex were going to need backup. With both Malachi and Esta urging me to, I also couldn’t help but wonder if this was something I had to do. Not just for myself, but also for Dra Skor.
My wings were still out. I didn’t want to state the obvious here either. That if Esta had listened to me, if she had trusted our bond, she wouldn’t have been shot out of the damn sky. Every bit of this day had all gone to hell.
“Go,” she urged, her voice sounding hoarse. “I was shot, I’m not dead.”
I kissed her hard despite still being mad as hell at her. Women were complicated, but mine might hold the record.I’ll be right back.
She smirked.Give them hell.
I’d rather deliver them personally to the front door. I launched myself into the sky. Seeing the spear on the ground, red with Esta’s blood contrasted against the tan grass, I swooped down and grabbed it.
I felt Zaire flying beside me.
As we neared Nyx, he told me,It’s Enoch.
