Page 110 of The Princesses of Ruin
“You should leave that.”
Adrik scowls. “Why?”
I dip my head, indicating my wrapped arm with a sigh. “We’ve been making deals of our own, too.”
Emillia reaches out for his pup. “I’ll see if I can help Lily.”
“Thank you, my love,” he says in Seterian as he passes her the dog.
This isn’t just some cultural statement of fondness. He used the word for a wife, someone he wants to spend his life with. It seems he may have found real happiness in the wilderness.
I’m glad for him.
“What happened to you?” he asks as he takes his bag from me.
“I was attacked by a giant demon bird. Bastard nearly cut my arm off. Scarlett and…our new friend saved me.”
“New friend. Why are you being vague, Zane? This isn’t like you.”
“Few people know,” I say, leading Adrik into the dungeon.
I stop at the door to the lab. “Don’t scream.”
He looks at me gravely.
I open the door.
“Chert voz’mi. Bogi,”he murmurs.
“This is Iksah. He saved my life, and we’re going to save his.”
Adrik looks at me with fear first. Then he swallows, a fire burning in his gaze. He stands taller than before, wearing his newfound confidence with pride.
“What’s first?”
Chapter thirty-nine
Lily
“Move him. Carefully!” I cradle Alastair’s head as the Spiders lift his massive body off the sled and onto the stretcher.
Duskaryn watches with gold-glowing eyes, and the promise that rings my wrist burns. The high-magus pact I made in my desperation and death. To save my love.
To save our child.
I had suspected. The sickness in the morning, my missing courses…but I had thought perhaps it was nerves. Or the sobriety.
I had hoped it wasn’t a baby.
Duskaryn had felt her heartbeat fluttering and seized the opportunity to burn a hole through my resolve to die with Alastair. He presented me with another piece to trade. Another way for us to all be together.
Only if Alastair survives.
I glare at Duskaryn.
That was part of the deal. Alastair lives.
“I’m aware.”
