Page 38 of Songs of Retribution

"No," she finally whispered, her voice weak.

I squeezed her hand and let the conversation go. She was too tired to worry about politics and the future at the moment. We needed to focus on getting to safety so she could rest.

However, for the remainder of the hour, I rolled that information over in my mind. Lennox had failed to gain the alignment with the Froh—his most useful potential in all of this. My teeth clenched, and I ground them together. Amyra should have traveled to the Froh kingdom. She might have been more useful.

This meant we had fewer allies than ever as the Seelie bloated their ranks with desperate human soldiers—not likely a threat unless the King had tricks planned I couldn’t guess which seemed possible. Plus, he crafted weapons with rare magic. And Carrington was taking his time with his moves, meaning Eldrick had been right about at least one thing. He was reworking his strategy and a great deal of what Eldrick might tell us would be useless.

Goddess damn the world. Every day tipped us deeper into bad news and ill omens. I took a deep breath and sent a silent plea to Kali.Hold us. See us through this. Do not let your people fall, please.

A rush of comfort pushed through me, and I clutched Lira's hand tighter, hoping I could spread some of it to her. She picked up her pace as we splashed and slid down the narrow path. The rain fell in a steady rhythm and my clothing had grown sopping, clinging to my skin.

Even with the situation’s misery and the worry about the future, it was hard not to notice the gentle slope of Lira's features, the delicate curve of her neck, and the softness of her skin. The consuming burn of the love I felt for her swallowed my emotions. She'd been in danger for so long, and now she was, if not yet safe, here with me. At least I could help her and double her ability to protect herself.

As if sensing my gaze on her, she turned her head, her pale eyes meeting mine. A sparkle of magic clicked, and I opened myself to the flood of mischievousness and love. It was a reminder of the strength she possessed, even in her weakened state. She wouldn't give up easily, and I wouldn't either.

A clattering thunder of horses’ hooves stalled both of us and we froze beneath the rain-drenched boughs of a tree, tucking under it like we could disappear. I attempted to hear the direction the group moved from, but it was difficult with the rain and a rumble of thunder echoing around.

"It might be Lennox," Lira whispered. "They're close."

"It might be." I didn't say what we both knew—or it might not. My palm rested on Lira's waist, and I focused on the rise and fall of her breath that raised my hand with the motion.

I longed to have my team with me. Orman could use his second sight, Luz could ascend this damn tree with the deftness of a bird, and now Neia could slip into shadows.

I was so used to relying on others, to having them. A pang of loss pulsed through me as the noise picked up and I moved Lira and myself tighter under the tree, behind a draping branch that might disguise us.

The riders came to a stop in the distance, the long shimmering horses’ legs visible from where we stood. My breathing dropped low and quiet as Lira went still beneath me. I was tempted to shift and see who it was. But if it was Lennox, he'd speak to Lira and let her know he was here.

The rain picked up, the drops heavy, and they clattered noisily to the earth. The smell of pine resin was thick in the air, the world alive and green and pungent.

If I'd had anyone else on my team with me, I might have seen the dart soaring through the raindrops before it clattered through the tree limbs. As it was, by the time it shook the pine bough so that needles fell to the ground, it was too late.

The dart aimed for Lira who clung to me. She sucked in a breath like it was the last she'd ever take, and I pushed her away, slamming her behind the tree.

The dart sank into my arm and brought with it searing pain. I attempted to yank it out, but nausea swept over me, and my vision doubled. I suddenly had ten fingers on my hand and none of them would reach the damned dart.

Amentium drains magic.

I could see Margo's looping handwriting she'd scribbled in the journal. I staggered back to the tree and fell, the boughs blurring together in a swirl of emeralds and grays.

"Sai," Lira screamed.

I couldn't respond though as the metal sank into my flesh and my head landed with a thump on the wet ground. The earth was dark, the soil rich and moldy in smell, full of the rot of plants that had died before and the heady potential for what might come after.

Lira scrambled over to me, and I attempted to rise, attempted to reach her.

"Don't move," a soldier said, a bow pointed at Lira.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

SHAAN

The horses trundledthrough the rain, shaking their heads and snorting at the indignation of having to travel in this weather. I patted the flank of my horse as we made it into the edges of a pine forest where the straw littered ground appeared a bright copper color from the rain.

Lennox's horse gave a whinny and tossed her head, and Elisa curled a strand of its mane around her finger and spoke soothingly to the creature. Lennox's lips pinched in a frown.

Reid.I tapped into the magic. His eyes slid to me as he opened himself to it.What's wrong?

A smile more beautiful than sunshine would be even after the long, wet trip pulled his lips up.Nothing, I'm just grumbling.

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