Page 62 of The Curse of Ophelia

Their attack paused, and the world around me slowed. Horror tightened my chest as the pack worked with human-like determination, spreading out their ranks and forming a half circle around us. The silver hair on the backs of their necks raised, obsidian teeth snapping.

In the center of their formation, a wolf larger and darker than the rest nearly blended into the sand. It prowled on long, muscled legs, lifting its muzzle to the sky and howling. The others responded, flanking it protectively and echoing the sound.

My own pack’s movement mirrored the wolves, coming to my side. They didn’t bother to inquire after my injuries—they could see for themselves that I was not okay—but four pairs of eyes swept across my torn flesh and leathers. They knew that it would not stop me.

The yellow eyes of the central wolf narrowed at me, appraising an opponent, and I recognized the beast for what it was.

“That one.” My voice was low and strained, but I pointed with my blade, injured arm throbbing as I extended it. “That’s the leader. Take it out, and the rest follow.”

“They’ll never allow us near it,” Jezebel cautioned, eyes locked on the creature.

Before anyone could respond, Cypherion broke from our formation and charged. Not for the leader, but for the right flank of their semicircle. To where three wolves waited for him, hunger in their eyes and growls echoing from their snapping jaws.

The movement was so sudden that all of the wolves looked his way, shifting to where he rode toward certain death at their paws.

“Cypherion, no!” The shriek left my lips before I realized what was happening. Every part of me screamed.

I snapped Sapphire’s reins, and my friends launched into motion beside me. I willed my horse to fly over the earth. Move fast enough to catch him, to help him. Because there were too many wolves—even Cypherion Kastroff could not handle them alone.

But his eyes met mine, and I understood—he did not mean to defeat them. He rode toward those wolves knowing it was likely the last decision he ever made.

The leader, he told me with a flick of his gaze.

It is okay, his sharp nod said.

The determination in his bright blue eyes stilled my heart—not an ounce of fear lingered there.

He’d sacrifice himself for this. Provide a distraction to save us.

We all chased after him, but he barked, “Don’t waste it,” over his shoulder, and we froze.

No, Cypherion could not do this. He could not ride away from us. I would not stand another loss in my life.

But Cyph was fast atop Erini, and none of us would ever stop them in the race to those vicious claws. His sacrifice would be carried out, and I could not stop it. My hesitation would only risk the lives of the friends with us.

Giving into a moment of weakness, I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to turn off my natural instinct to protect. Adrenaline pumped through me, my body understanding what must be done, though my mind refused to accept it. I shut down the reason in my brain, allowing my body to take control. I hated myself for it, but I could not squander Cyph’s bravery.

I would not waste his sacrifice.

I pulled Sapphire back toward the volcano and turned my back on Cypherion, not watching what carnage came from his diversion. Tears streaked through the soot and blood coating my face, falling into the wind like it would carry them to him in a silent goodbye.

Sapphire and I charged the largest wolf, releasing every ounce of rage that flooded my veins at the thought of my friend giving himself to the pack. My inability to stop it.

My ruined arm pulsed with pain, my side matching it. My Cursed arm throbbed, the affliction a lightning bolt through my skin, but I ignored it all. It was nothing to the ache of Cypherion now tearing through my heart.

Sapphire took three long gallops and leaped into the air, soaring effortlessly over the massive form of the wolf leader. A tormented scream harsher than a riling storm left my throat as I swung to the side. My muscles…my wounds…every part of me echoed the roar as I fought with every ounce of strength I had left to stay on my horse, and brought Starfire down.

My blade connected, slicing true and strong across the alpha’s shoulder before the steady presence of Sapphire disappeared.

The last thing I saw as I tumbled to the earth was the body of the giant wolf crashing to the ground. I sighed in relief as my head connected with the earth and darkness swooped in.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Malakai

Black faded to gray, spots of dim light puncturing the veil that had dropped over my vision. Why the fuck had they knocked me out again? To move me, obviously, but what about this move required my unconsciousness? What did they not want me to know? The questions swirled within my dizzy mind.

“Wakey wakey, Warrior Prince,” the chilling voice of my usual guard cooed.

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