Page 111 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Just enough to seal it shut,” she snapped. “Now. She’s dying.”
Flames burned in Solflara’s eyes as they met Alaire’s. Whatever she saw there convinced her.
The phoenix extended her wing, releasing a single ember. It kissed the fabric, catching like kindling.
The smell of seared flesh made Alaire’s stomach lurch.
The flame burned hot and fast against the fabric, searing it into a barrier. Its edges curled into blackened ash before the fire guttered out, smoothed by pooling blood.
Kaia didn’t even twitch.
“Stay with me,” Alaire pleaded. The acrid scent of scorched cloth filled her nostrils as she pressed the charred strip harder against the wound.
Please let this work.
Her body quivered as she pulled Kaia closer.
“We need to move! She needs a soulwarden.”
The sound of wings cut through the storm’s fading echoes. Too dark to see who or what approached, Alaire tucked Kaia closer. Solflara lifted her head, flames rippling, a beacon in the night.
“It’s Hadrian.”
The arcstorm’s angular wings, streaked in stormy blues and greys with lightning-yellow flecks, spread wide as he descended. Talons black as onyx scraped the earth, static prickling Alaire’s skin. His eyes found Kaia’s limp form, and his chest rumbled with a sound that vibrated through her bones.
Solflara trilled at Hadrian, then sent down the bond to Alaire, “Kaia sent him to find help.She knew she wouldn’t make it far and didn’t want to risk him.”
Alaire felt his gaze bore into her, assessing where she cradled Kaia.
“Of course she did.” That was Kaia—always thinking of others first.
Hadrian stepped closer, lightning curling faintly around his legs until smoke spiraled from the ground.
“He wants to carry her out of here,” Solflara explained.
Alaire shook her head violently. “No.It’s too dangerous.The wound needs constant pressure.If she flies with me,I can keep it closed until we reach help.”
Hadrian lowered a wing to brush Kaia’s limp arm. His cry of anguish tore through her chest. She couldn’t imagine his pain, seeing his bonded so close to Umbra’s door.
“I know,” Alaire whispered, “but this is the best way to keep her alive.”
Hadrian pulled back, wings rustling. Sparks flashed in the dirt before he tucked them against his sides.
“He agrees,” Solflara said. “We need to go.She doesn’t have long.”
“We’re going to get you out of here,” Alaire murmured, forcing steadiness into her voice. “We won’t let you die.”
Blood bubbled at the corner of Kaia’s mouth.
Alaire brushed damp curls from her face as Hadrian extended his wings above them. Carefully, she guided Kaia’s limp body into his talons, her heart hammering.
Fuck, she was sostill.
Scrambling onto Solflara, Alaire settled into position as Hadrian lowered Kaia gently into her lap. She adjusted her grip: one arm cradling Kaia, the other keeping pressure on the wound.
The creased map rested awkwardly across Kaia’s hips, edges stained red. She’d been so close. The silver willow and its fluttering flag waited just ahead—yet they felt a world away.
The night around them was unnervingly quiet after the chaos of the storm. Distant thunder rumbled for the next novice completing the crucible. Here, the plains looked untouched.
