Page 17 of Blood Sanctuary, Part Two

“Yes! I am Cassia.” She smiled at him. He needed her smile right now. “I’m here to thank you for everything you did for me. You have my gratitude.”

Alkaios’s expression eased, and his body relaxed. He had understood her. Her words had mattered.

Her smile widened in spite of the ache in her throat. “See what you have done for me? I survived, and I grew up strong, and I came home to Orthros. I am so glad you have come home to us now.”

Alkaios’s fingers closed around the pendant, and his eyes slid shut. A sigh rushed out of him, and then he seemed to stop making the effort of breathing. But in the quiet room, she could hear his heart laboring on.

Lio put his arm around her again, and she leaned against him.

“He remembers. That is the only good sign we have had tonight.” The prince shook his head. “My mother Soteira tells me this is the first time Alkaios has been to Orthros. A Hesperine errant must have Gifted him in the field. What a homecoming.”

Cassia didn’t let go of Alkaios’s hands. She knew the answer to her question before she spoke it. But she refused to accept the answer. “How can he be starving? Now that he is home, can you not give him as much to drink as he needs?”

“He will want for nothing,” said Lio. “The Imperial guests who come to the Healing Sanctuary for training also give their blood to Hesperine patients.”

“I have given him the Ritual Drink myself.” There was no reassurance in the prince’s voice, only regret.

Lio’s face mirrored the same. “I’m not surprised, Rudhira. I know you would shed your blood for any Hesperine errant. You have done a great thing for Alkaios tonight.”

Rudhira gave one shake of his head.

The blood of the Queens, delivered by their firstgift, must hold astonishing power. If that was not enough to bring a Hesperine back from the brink of starvation, what was?

Cassia was angry at her own tears for encroaching, furious that all she could do was stand here and hold Alkaios’s hands. “How many of your kind follow Hylonome’s path?”

“Who told you that story?” Lio demanded.

“Your Trial sisters.” The tears spilled over. “How can he fight so hard for others, but not for himself?”

“We still fight for him,” said the prince. “I will not stop fighting, whether with blood or healing magic or my sword.”

“Did you deliver justice upon the war mages?” Cassia asked.

Rudhira was silent for a long moment. “What I did to them tonight was one of the hardest things I have ever done.” He sighed and looked at Lio. “I was mindful of dealing a blow to the Summit, if I executed Chrysanthos’s brethren while their Dexion is here in Orthros. So I chased them back to Solorum and left them unharmed.”

“Rudhira, I…” Lio shook his head. “I am as grateful to you as I am disappointed.”

“A wise decision, First Prince,” said Cassia. “Thank you. I only wish I felt wiser tonight.”

“Do not give up on your Summit,” Rudhira replied. “You two are fighting for Alkaios as well. Whatever you do, do not surrender.”

Just then, a Hesperine appeared on the opposite side of Alkaios’s bed. He looked about Javed and Kadi’s age, but he wore Tenebran attire in the browns and greens of the woods. “You called me out of the field, My Prince?”

“Not without reason,” Rudhira replied. “Cassia, Lio, I would like you to meet Kalos, the best scout in my Charge.”

Kalos didn’t meet their eyes, just angled a slight bow in their direction.

“Well met, Kalos.” Lio bowed. “It is an honor. I have heard much of your deeds.”

Before Kalos could reply, Knight broke away from Cassia and went to greet the Hesperine errant. Kalos took a step back, his expression astonished. She opened her mouth to command Knight to heel.

But Kalos held up his hand. “No, don’t call him off. Please.”

Knight was all over him, sniffing and slobbering and wagging his tail, although it was clear Kalos was not of the Queens’ blood. Cassia watched, a command on the tip of her tongue in case Knight overstepped.

Kalos crouched down in front of the liegehound and eased his hands out. Tentatively, he slid his fingers into Knight’s ruff. The Hesperine’s sober face softened. “It’s been an awfully long time since a fine dog like you wanted anywhere near me.”

“You are clearly a dog person,” Cassia said. “That must be why Knight likes you.”

---