Page 201 of Wings of Ash & Flame
Alaire froze for a heartbeat. Kaia’s grunt rang out nearby as she swung her mace again. “You, of all people, should understand why I have to do this. Why I can’t leave. Youknow.”
Dawson’s head jerked toward hers until their faces were inches apart. His eyes burned into hers, wild and fierce.
“I understand,” he snarled. “I know what it means to lose. To drown in it.” His breath seared her skin.
“But I willnotlose you.”
Her heart stumbled, slamming against her ribs. The air between them stretched taut.
“Something’s wrong here, and my responsibility as your partner is to protectyou.”
She wrenched against his grip. “You’re willing to leave Caius behind too—your best friend!”
Pain flickered across his features. “Caius can handle himself. He’s the best chance Kaia has.”
Caius’s voice rang out, cutting through the frenzy. “Go. I won’t leave Kaia. You have to go without us.”
His eyes locked on hers, unwavering determination blazing in them. Despite their contentious history, she knew he’d keep that promise—or die trying.
A tentacle slithered up, wrapping around her ankles.
Dawson’s control snapped. He trapped both of her wrists in one hand and hacked through the limb with the other. His sword clattered to the ground.
His free hand fisted into her braid, yanking her forehead to his, eyes burning with desperation.
“I barely survived those yeti’s claws, this is so much worse. If you stay, there’s a chance you’ll die. And if you die, I swear to every god, I will burn through every realm to drag you back. But I can’t—” His voice cracked. “I can’t take that risk, Alaire. Irefuse.”
Her breath stalled. Her heart fell to her feet. The fight drained from her limbs.
She glanced over her shoulder, chaos blurring around her: Kaia struggling, the portal shrinking fast. No matter how much Dawson’s words gutted her, how much they meant, she couldn’t live with herself if she walked away knowing she’d abandoned her friend.
Reaching forward, she cupped his face, thumbs brushing his stubble. “And I couldn’t live with myself if I let her die, Dawson. Knowing I could’ve done something. You need to let me go.”
He didn’t move. His grip held her hands in place.
“No.” A vow. A promise.
Alaire threw her plea down the bond. “A little help here.”
Soflara’s reply cut her to the core. “The answers you seek—about your power,about what’s happening—they aren’t here.Dawson’s right.Something’s not right,and the only way to uncover it is to continue the trial.”
“Of course,” Alaire huffed. “Taking his side.”
“I’m taking yours.Even if you’re too stubborn to see it.”
“You’re wrong.Every last one of you.”
“Hate me,” Dawson ground out. “But I swear to the gods, I will carry you through that portal myself if I have to.”
The portal had shrunk to the size of a window, edges sputtering.
“I won’t just leave her to that thing.”
“Go!” Caius roared. “Now!”
Before she could react, Dawson hoisted her off the ground and flung her over his shoulder, striding toward the collapsing gateway.
Alaire thrashed, fists pounding his back. “Dawson! Let. Me. Go!”
