Seared

by Bethany Adams

  Ralan didn’t stop to examine it. As Delbin dropped to his knees, stunned senseless by his own spell, Ralan rushed after Cora. He pulled a knife from his belt, ready to defend his bonded, but Kien was nowhere in sight. Yet. The air around Ralan began to heat, but he didn’t look down at Cora. Instead, he scanned the area.

  Scanned and waited.

  Thank the Divine Source she’d recharged herself at the portal.

  Cora’s fingers slipped in the blood pouring from Inona’s throat, but she caught the hint of a pulse. Inona must have shifted her body enough to keep the blade from severing her carotid. But a nick was bad enough. Cora pushed down hard to stop the flow as her magic began to build.

  Then she let her flame pour free.

  Her fingers began to sting, but her slight cry was drowned out by Inona’s sudden scream. Cora closed her eyes and struggled to focus as the air began to steam. The wound. She had to cauterize the wound.

  She wasn’t a healer, but she had trained for this. Her breath heaving in and out, Cora sealed the gaping flesh in the unrelenting heat of her fire. First the artery. Then damaged muscle and flesh. Inona jerked beneath her, a keening moan sounding endlessly from her lips, but still Cora kept on.

  Then it was finished.

  She’d done it. She hadn’t let fear stop her. And her magic had worked.

  Her fire winked out, her energy drained. Cora wavered, leaning her weight on her shaky arm as she fought for breath. If she’d bonded to Earth, she would have had enough energy to stand. As it was, she didn’t even have the strength to check Inona again. At least the injury had been a small one.

  “Cora?” she heard Ralan ask.

  As shudders overtook her body, the strength in her arm gave out, and she dropped hard onto the cold cave floor.

  Chapter 21

  Ralan fell to his knees beside the two women, not certain who to tend to first. He lowered his hand to Cora’s back as he peered between them. Cora’s chest rose and fell steadily, and her eyes were open, if a bit glazed. But Inona. His stomach lurched at the sight of her neck.

  Where the slash had been stood a charred, livid scar, like a brand. The skin surrounding that was red and welting before his eyes. Inona lifted her hand to touch and let out a startled scream of pain. Her breath heaved in and out like a runner’s after a marathon, and her body convulsed with the strength of her trembling.

  “Inona,” Ralan said softly. “I’m here. You’re not alone.”

  If she heard him, it gave her no relief.

  Across the cavern, Fen sat up, rubbing his head. A few paces away, Delbin groaned and shoved his palms against his temples. Then he stumbled to his feet, wavering for a second before weaving his way closer to Inona.

  Delbin knelt beside her and took her hand in his. “Love, be calm.”

  Inona settled somewhat, but Ralan could tell from her frantic breathing and dilated pupils that panic held her in its grip. He could hardly blame her. Had Cora not acted, Inona would already be dead. As it was, they needed to get her to a healer right away. She had lost a lot of blood, and Ralan had no clue how effective Cora’s magic had been.

  His bonded shifted restlessly. “How is Inona?” she sent.

  “Alive, but I don’t know if there was any greater damage.” The sound of tumbling rocks clattered through the cavern, and Ralan jerked to his feet, his hand tightening on his knife hilt. “Don’t move. The danger isn’t over.”

  Kien stood at the other end with Maddy in his arms. Oh, hell. Ralan had forgotten about the healer entirely between Inona’s near-fatal wound and Cora’s collapse. Now Kien carried Maddy as a lover would, his arms beneath her knees and shoulders. Her head was tucked gently against his chest. But his eyes were full of nothing but hatred.

  “I believe I have captured your prize,” Kien said.

  Ralan wished to all the gods that he could punch the smug grin from his brother’s face. “Let her go. You want me, not some healer from Earth.”

  “Your death would be a bonus, but it is no longer my main goal.” Kien began to edge around the cavern toward the entrance. “I have greater things to do.”

  Ralan lifted a brow. “Translation? You don’t think you can defeat me.”

  This time, Kien’s laughter sounded forced. “You’ll die soon enough. I’m more concerned with making it out of here with my little hostage.”

  “Take me instead.”

  Kien snorted. “You won’t help me return to Moranaia no matter how I torture you.”

  Ralan tracked his brother’s movements as he passed by, only a couple of arm-lengths away. It was tempting to spring forward and grab Maddy, but the risk was too great. Kien was a talented mage, and he held the knife in his hand besides. Inona’s blood still covered the blade, staining the fabric of Maddy’s dress where it brushed.

  “A half-Sidhe healer can’t get you there, either,” Ralan said.

  “Not directly.” Kien smiled. “But she’ll help.”

  “You’ve lost your—”

  “Fen!” Kien shouted, his attention shifting to the dazed blood elf. “Come with me and give aid, or the healer dies.”

  Fen shoved to his feet. “Why do you think I care?”

  “I’ve seen the way you look at her. You’re never nice to anyone, but you were kind to her.”

  “I thought we could get her on our side,” Fen said.

  Kien’s forehead furrowed. “That might have been convincing if you hadn’t betrayed me with this group. Now move it, or I’ll slit her throat, too. Think anyone else can save her?”

  As Kien neared, Fen wavered on his feet, and Ralan shoved his mind ruthlessly into Fen’s. “Do it. Save Maddy, and I will plead your case with Vek myself.”

  Fen gave a slight nod. “If I live, I will hold you to that.”

  Kien reached the blood elf and kept walking, already certain of his victory. Fen squeezed his eyes closed for a second and then straightened. Without a word, he followed Kien from the cavern. The sound of Inona’s ragged breathing and the plop of dripping water filled the space they’d left behind.

  “Fuck it all,” Ralan said with a snarl.

  Delbin’s worried gaze met his. “We have to get Inona back to Moranaia.”

  “I know,” Ralan said. “But we’re at risk of running into my brother.”

  “Do we have a choice?”

  Ralan shoved his hand through his hair and tugged. “No.”

  “Need to save Maddy,” Cora whispered.

  As his bonded shoved herself to a sitting position, Ralan knelt at her side. He’d never seen her so wan, and he could feel through their link that she was barely functional. But still she fought for her friend. He brushed a strand of hair out of Cora’s face and helped her to her feet.

  “Fen’s going to save her,” Ralan said, though he was by no means certain that it could be done. “Perhaps we’ll catch them on the way to the portal.”

  Cora nodded and leaned against Ralan as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Let’s go.”

  Delbin gathered Inona into his arms. At first, she thrashed, and her hand connected with Delbin’s cheek with a sharp slap. He bent to whisper in her ear, but she was too caught in the grip of her fighting instincts to hear. Ralan placed his fingers on her forehead and sent her to sleep.

  “Thanks,” Delbin said. “My head hurts too much.”

  “Normally, I would chide you for losing control, even in the grip of strong emotion, but it created a needed diversion,” Ralan said. “We need to work on harnessing that ability so you don’t hurt yourself doing it by accident.”

  “Ralan—”

  “Let’s just go. I’m too tired for banter.”

  Lyr’s study was dim, but Eri didn’t bother to brighten the muted mage lights. There would be enough to see by, and she didn’t want to draw attention. Moonlight streamed through the windows and across the wooden floor as she padded across the room on bare feet. She wasn’t precisely being sneaky.

  No one had told her not to do this, after
all.

  Eri rolled her eyes at herself. Right. Her father would surely care about that difference once he found out. Then she grinned. Good thing he would forgive her once he fussed at her for a while. Maybe they could even skip that part if she told him she’d already Seen the whole strand where he lectured her. It would save them both time.

  She stepped up on the small dais and circled Lyr’s big desk. The moonlight bounced her silvered reflection back at her in the tall mirror near the windows, and she gave herself a laughing curtsey. Then she sobered as Lady Megelien’s instructions drifted through her mind. This wouldn’t be as easy as sharing a prophecy.

  Eri sucked on her lower lip. She’d never done magic like this before. The Lady had told her she’d have some talent for it when she got older, but Eri had only just learned to activate mage lights. Could she do it? Could she help her father get back home?

  There were a few strands where she failed or was too scared to try. But no. She shoved her shoulders back. She would do this because she had to. No way Eri was going to let one of those other futures happen.

  “I am with you,” Lady Megelien whispered into her mind.

  Without hesitation, Eri stretched out her hand and touched the edge of the silver frame.

  “Kai,” Naomh said, a hint of impatience threading his tone. “Feel the rock beneath your hand with your magic. Let it resonate.”

  So far, all Kai had felt was the rough texture of the stone. And frustration. Boundless frustration. “I’ve been trying for a solid mark.”

  Or however they measured time here. The artificial sun that lit the massive cavern had begun to slip toward the tree line. But no matter how long Kai tried to sync his power with the rock the way his father directed, it remained stubbornly out of reach. He’d begun to sense the steady hum of earth energy, at least, but that wasn’t enough progress toward the mastery he needed.

  “Are you distracted?” Naomh asked.

  “Perhaps.” Kai stared into his father’s eyes. “I may have been ordered here, but I don’t trust you.”

  The heavy weight of grief flickered in Naomh’s gaze for a moment. Then it was gone. “Fair enough. But the longer this takes, the longer you’ll have to stay.”

  “The more we’ll be required to visit, you mean.” Kai’s fingers dug into the rock at the reminder. “Arlyn has her own lessons. You know we have to return to Moranaia from time to time for our other duties.”

  Naomh glanced away. “I know.”

  Kai sighed and forced his tingling fingers to relax. He frowned. Tingling? His breath caught as he realized that the stone had been reacting to his emotions. Suddenly eager, he sent his power back into the rock to solidify the connection. Only to curse as the sensation slipped away entirely.

  “This is not like finding a path through the Veil,” Kai grumbled.

  His father surprised him by laughing. “It is not. That is the realm of air and spirit. Earth is deeper and slower. It is the heartbeat unending.”

  The affection in Naomh’s voice had Kai peering at him. That hadn’t been an idle comment. Would he, too, feel such love for the earth if he unlocked the power within? Or was emotion the key to learning this in the first place?

  When Arlyn’s mind brushed against Kai’s, he opened to her at once. “I thought you were resting, my love.”

  “I was.” Arlyn hesitated, and a hint of consternation trickled along their bond. “Until the mirror chimed. Eri insists that you’re needed.”

  “Eri?” he asked aloud and then shook his head at Naomh’s questioning look. “Ralan’s daughter, a little girl, called for me through Lyr’s mirror? She can’t use magic yet. You’re joking with me.”

  Arlyn sent a wave of frustration his way. “Do I feel like I’m joking?”

  “Okay, fine.” He couldn’t help but grin. “What did she say?”

  “We need to go to the Earth portal near Chattanooga to guide Ralan and the others through.”

  Kai’s brows lowered in thought. “They had a guide with them.”

  “Inona was or will be injured.” Arlyn’s worry curled through his gut. “Eri said there were quite a few strands but that they all need us.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “Head to the portal,” Arlyn said. “I’m gathering our things.”

  Kai smiled as Arlyn ended the link. She’d known without benefit of a seer’s gift what he would say. But his humor faded at the sight of Naomh’s worried face. “We have to go.”

  Concern fell quickly to anger. “You agreed to stay for five days on this first visit. You would break your word already?”

  “I promised to stay provided there were no pressing duties or emergencies to deal with,” Kai clarified. “Arlyn received word that I am needed.”

  Naomh’s nostrils flared. “There are others in your homeland who could—”

  “No.” Kai shoved to his feet. “When a six-year-old seer with the touch of the goddess tells you to go save someone, you do it.”

  “Six?” Naomh asked as he stood.

  “And a princess of Moranaia, too.” Kai started down the path, not surprised when Naomh kept pace beside him. “I give my word this was an unplanned event. I will return as soon as the crisis has passed.”

  “Fine,” Naomh answered sharply. Then he sighed. “Allow me to show you the fastest trail.”

  Fen pulled his car to the shoulder of the road near the ridge that held the portal to the Veil. He met Kien’s furious gaze in the rearview mirror and then looked away. If he survived this, he’d have this whole car trashed. Sell it for scrap. Push it off a cliff. He didn’t want to see it again after hauling this sick bastard around town.

  With a shove, he opened the car door and stepped out. On the other side of the street, the lights were on in most of the houses in the neighborhood. Fen no longer cared enough about stealth to park somewhere subtle, and he doubted Kien did either. No matter what Ralan said, Vek would probably kill Fen as soon as this was over.

  If he couldn’t stop Kien from perpetuating this fucked-up mess, Vek wouldn’t have a choice.

  Fen tugged open Kien’s door and waited for the prince to slide out with Maddy in his arms. God knew what the humans would think if they happened to look out their windows. Probably close to the truth, minus the magic. Unfortunately, the police would only cause more trouble in a situation like this. Not intentionally, but they weren’t exactly trained to deal with mages.

  As soon as Kien steadied himself, he strode toward the ridgeline. Fen shut the door softly behind him—no use drawing attention—and followed. He hurried until he could walk alongside Kien.

  “I want you to leave the girl a good distance from the portal,” Fen said.

  Kien shot him a mocking look. “You think I’ll abandon my hostage before I’ve gained your aid?”

  Fen’s shoulders stiffened. “I won’t help if there’s the chance you’ll still kill her once I’m done. I know exactly how you operate. I’ve seen more than enough examples.”

  They walked in silence as Kien considered his words. Finally, the prince shrugged. “I will make one deal only. I keep the girl while you connect me into Earth’s energy. Then I’ll set her out of the way while you break the spell barring me from Moranaia.”

  Fen’s heart thumped. “Why do you still want to poison the energy? Patrick and Victor are dead, and I don’t want to rule anything. Not anymore.”

  “I was never doing it for you,” Kien answered with a laugh. “You fools couldn’t rule a nursery. The poison hurts my brother and sows dissent among the fae races. I’ll need that leverage once I become king.”

  Shitshitshit. He was supposed to stop the energy poisoning, not worsen the situation. Fen looked at Maddy’s innocent face. What choice did he have? If it saved the young healer from death, he would meet his fate with Vek without qualm. She would never be interested in him anyway. He was Unseelie, and he’d heard her call out for someone named Anna while she was dozing.

  “Fine,” Fen agreed. “I’ll
do it if I can. In theory, I’d need your blood and the blood of someone keyed to Moranaia’s portal.”

  Kien wiggled the knife in his hand. “Slicing that scout’s throat was for more than pleasure.”

  Fen wrinkled his nose, but he didn’t argue. Blood tasted foul when it wasn’t from the source. Just another bit of unpleasantness to add to the day. Then again, it would probably be a palate-cleanser after ingesting Kien’s blood.

  When they reached the narrow slice in the rock wall that held the portal, Kien halted. In a heartbeat’s time, Fen connected with Earth’s energy. And though his stomach lurched, he connected the thread to Kien’s magic without any outward sign of his disgust.

  He hoped.

  A smile tightened Kien’s lips as the connection snapped into place. Fen braced for betrayal, but the prince merely shifted to the wall and set Maddy down against it. Then Kien entered the gap in the stone and gestured for Fen to follow.

  As the prince disappeared from sight, Fen stooped over Maddy and brushed a hair off her face. Her eyes cracked open, and his blood chilled at the sight. But she didn’t move. Smiling at her cleverness, he bent down and brushed a kiss on her forehead. Why not, if he was going to die?

  Then he stepped into the crevice in the stone and prepared to help the dark prince break into the world he was determined to rule.

  Chapter 22

  “Damn,” Ralan cursed as they passed Fen’s car on the shoulder of the road.

  A truck had pulled up behind it, and a human male stood peering into the driver’s side window. He hoped the guy didn’t get himself killed, but he didn’t have the time or energy to warn him away. Besides, if the human caught sight of Delbin holding Inona in the back seat, there would be trouble.

  Bad enough that Cora slumped in the passenger seat. She’d slipped into a deep sleep as they drove, her energy reserves depleted. If he hadn’t been able to sense through their bond that she was uninjured, he would have gone mad during the drive. His stomach roiled with worry as it was.