Page 30 of War Of Fire and Fortune
I ignored her, my jaw tightening as I sent another wave of healing through my hands. My entire body ached with the effort, but I couldn’t stop. Iwouldn’t.
Luana hesitated, her presence wavering behind me. I heard her sigh, a sound heavy with resignation, before her footsteps retreated. Moments later, the tent flap flew open and Shay stormed in, her brown eyes blazing with fury.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" she demanded. Now I knew why Luana had left, to try and find someone to make me listen.
"Saving him," I snapped, not bothering to look up. My focus was locked on Ace’s face, willing him to wake up, to give me even the smallest sign that he was still in there. "Unlike some people, I mean my promises when I make them."
"That's not fair," Shay countered, her voice cracking as she stepped closer. "I was trying to protect you—"
I spun around, the sudden movement making me sway on my feet. Rage boiled in my veins, hot and unrelenting, drowning out the weakness that threatened to pull me under.
"Protect me?" My voice was low. "By lying to me?”
Her lips parted, but no words came. I took a step forward, the anger in my chest pressing against my ribs.
"I couldn't tell you," she said finally. "It wasn't my secret to share!"
"He’s the fucking enemy prince, Shay!" My voice cracked as I shouted. "And my mate! How could you keep that from me?"
The words tasted bitter on my tongue, the truth of them too raw, too painful. As if summoned by the weight of his name, Kade appeared at the tent entrance. the real one, not Rhet from earlier. His broad frame was just a shadow against the flickering torchlight outside. I could instantly tell it was him. Kade’spresence hit me like a storm, the familiar pull of him tangling with my own in a way that both comforted and enraged me.
I swayed, exhaustion crashing over me, and his shadows darted forward to steady me. They curled around my arms, their touch gentle and hesitant, but I swatted them away. The rejection stung. I could feel it thrumming down the bond and see it in the way his shadows recoiled, but I wasn’t ready. Not yet. Not when the betrayal still burned fresh in my chest. So I blocked him out. Raised my mental barriers.
A low groan from Ace shattered the tension like glass hitting stone. My heart seized, and I spun back toward him.
I reached for him again, my power already building in my palms, but Shay stepped in front of me, her eyes shining with emotion. She placed her hands on my shoulders, grounding me with her steady gaze.
“That’s enough for now," she said, her voice firm but soft. It didn’t carry her normal authority, and for some reason, that made me more emotional. Like we were both just tired. So damn tired. "You need to rest, Emelyn.”
Luana chimed in, “I’ll stay with him, and I swear I’ll send word if anything changes. But right now, he needs us at our best.”
I opened my mouth to argue with them, but they were right. My body trembled as I took a shaky step back, the last remnants of my strength slipping away.
"I’ll be back," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I stumbled toward the tent's exit.
The cool night air hit me as I brushed past Kade without so much as a glance. I could feel his eyes on me, his shadows reaching for me, but they stopped short of touching me.
By the time I reached my tent, my legs were barely holding me up. I collapsed onto the cot fully clothed, the rough fabric catching on my leathers, but I didn’t care. My boots dug into the thin mattress, but I was too drained to take them off.
As my eyes fluttered closed, I caught a glimpse of Kade’s shadowy silhouette settling outside my tent. His presence sent a confusing swirl of emotions through me—comfort, anger, longing—but exhaustion pulled me under before I could dwell on any of it.
Chapter Seventeen
Rhet
Islipped the letter onto the cold surface of my father's desk. It stated that Kade and I would be leaving to search for the Peacebringer again and we would return when she was found.
The palace halls were veiled in shadows as I hastened through them, my boots echoing against the onyx marble with urgent beats. Time was a luxury we couldn’t afford; Iron Isle Harbor awaited. It would be a day’s trip for my men, but I could be there in moments once I was out of sight.
"Rhet." Nothing good ever came from that voice. I stiffened. Valla. I glanced behind me and there she stood, her eyes two smoldering coals set in an alabaster face, watching me.
"Valla," I acknowledged, but I didn’t stop moving.
"Leaving so soon?" she prodded, her tone light, but I knew she was playing with me.
“Yes, I have matters to attend to,” I replied curtly but then she moved in front of me.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
