To the public, Xander had proclaimed Rafe’s recovery a miracle wrought by Taetanos himself. In private, he had called it something else—magic.
Rafe hadn’t believed him at first. After all, magic was a death sentence in their world. But they’d tested it out, as reckless young boys tended to do. And they saw it for themselves, how Rafe’s skin sealed itself no matter how many ways they broke and battered his body. There was no other use for his magic—no other purpose. They made a blood pact never to speak of it again, so that no curious ears would ever hear the truth, and they let it go. Rafe let it go.
Until now.
Until her.
How many people knew her secret?
Why had she shared such a dangerous truth with him?
“Food?” she asked, ignoring the question in his eyes. Once again, she turned to one of her packs, this time pulling out a sack of dried fruits and nuts. She took a small handful for herself before giving the rest to him.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
Rafe studied her movements. Her lips twitched every now and then, as though a grin was constantly threatening to burst forth. Her feet bounced. Her wings shifted. Her eyes darted to every spot within their small halo of light and into the darkness beyond, unable to remain still. Energy left her in waves strong enough to emphasize just how exhausted he felt in comparison. Between his wounds and the toll his magic had taken, he could already feel his lids growing heavy with sleep now that his stomach was full.
But he couldn’t sleep. Not yet.
“Where are we?” he asked softly, still not quite able to find his full voice. “Where did you bring me?”
“Doesn’t matter,” she replied with a shrug, popping the last bits of food into her mouth before turning to the bags once more. This time she revealed flint and a few strips of wood.
“How long are you planning on keeping me here?” His tone was a little gruffer this time, a little more demanding.
She paid the change no mind, not bothering to answer as she carefully fluffed the kindling and stacked smaller bits of wood. Instead, she focused on striking the flint three times before getting a big enough spark to catch fire. There was a frustratingly superior air about her, one that reminded him of Xander.
“I said, how long are you planning on keeping me here?” he repeated.
Her eyes flicked toward him, then returned to the fire. “I heard you. Give me a moment, unless you wish to continue to freeze.”
His nostrils flared. Yes, she definitely reminds me of Xander. There’s just something, something—
“There,” she said with a satisfied sigh, sitting up and staring at the growing flames. He was mildly impressed, but he wouldn’t tell her that. Not until she gave him some answers.
Rafe opened his mouth to speak again.
As though anticipating the move, she cut in first, “Why are you in such a rush? If I’d just survived a dragon attack, I might be content to sit for a few days. Relax. Give myself time to recover.”
She was baiting him. Her gaze dropped to the middle of his chest.
Rafe winced. He didn’t need to look down to understand what she’d seen. He knew by the amused expression on her face what she was thinking—stranger or not.
That ring.
That stupid, goddamned ring.
“So, you know who I am,” he said. Denial was futile. And if she believed he was the crown prince, he might get to Xander faster. “Are you going to help me? There isn’t much time. The trials begin tonight. And—”
“No, they don’t,” she said. “The whole crystal city was aflutter with the news. The House of Whispers requested a delay, and the House of Peace granted them a single day to regroup. Though I realize now, what they’re actually trying to do is find you.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Rafe countered. “Are you going to help me?”
“Why don’t you answer mine first,” she volleyed right back. “Why do you need my help?”
A growl rumbled in the back of his throat. This girl is infuriating. He knew what she was asking, what she wanted to hear. But they’d danced around the issue of their magic—he wasn’t sure if he was ready to come out with the full truth. “What do you want? A vow of silence? You have it. Coins? I can get them. Jewels? I have access to those too. But I need out of this…” He paused, glancing around at the rock and the impenetrable darkness. “Out of this hovel.”
“Don’t.” Her voice was so sharp it startled him. Her eyes flashed with something he hadn’t expected—lightning bolts of hurt. “Don’t question my character. I saved you because you would have died if I hadn’t. At least, I thought so at the time. And I’m asking for nothing in return, nothing but honesty.”
Rafe bit back a retort as she tended to the fie unnecessarily, composing herself.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered over the crackling of the flames, the only sound in their hidden world. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. And…” He took a deep breath, gathering his strength as though preparing for battle. “And I need your help because flesh wounds are easy, but broken bones, broken wings? Those take time and energy to heal. Time and energy that I don’t have.”
Her features softened in understanding as her ivory wings dropped slightly, relaxing. “I’ll help you.” She furrowed her brow apologetically. “But not until tomorrow. I have to get home before they— Before it gets too late.”
She stood, brilliant wings fanning out against the darkness, glowing in the orange firelight.
“What?” Rafe asked, disoriented by the sudden shift.
She backed away. “I have to go, I’m sorry. I’ve been gone too long already. But there’s more wood, more water, more food. And, oh!” Her body jolted. “Clothes, there are warm clothes, clean clothes. And a rag to wash yourself with. But I have to go. I’m sorry, but I— I just have to.”
“Wait,” he called after her, stretching out his arm. Immediately, white-hot bolts of pain coursed through him, stealing his vision and his breath. Rafe collapsed to the floor, clenching his jaw against the agony, waiting for it to pass.
By the time he opened his eyes, she was gone.
And he was alone, very much trapped where she’d left him.
11
Lyana
Everything within Lyana screamed that she had to get out of there, away from him, away from those blue, blue eyes that seemed to yank the floor out from under her, sending her tumbling into a place she’d never been before.
His body had been covered in rags. His face hidden behind a sheen of gruesome blood. But those eyes, stark, confident, and unafraid to challenge her, those had pierced her, and she had to get away. To the sky. To the fresh air.
Lyana soared through the cavern, the subtle silver of moonlight her only guide through the darkness. The white patches of Cassi’s wings became visible as she neared the exit, but Lyana didn’t bother to stop for her friend. Instead, she burst through the narrow opening, practically tumbling into the channel between the cliffs, and pumped her wings to rise up, up, up and over the edge. She finally dropped to solid ground, leaned her head back, and took a deep, restorative breath of crisp air.