Page 92 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“I’ll stay with Baylis. Run up and see if anything is left of the camp,” I said. We pulled the makeshift raft onto the shore.

Freezing water dripped from Amolie’s dress as she scrambled up the embankment.

The smell of death and blood lingered in the air. Many had fallen. I silently prayed to Ammena, Illya, and to any god listening.Please let Caiden be safe. Please let him be unharmed.

Heavy rain fell from the sky, extinguishing the remaining fires. Desperate, I searched for his mind in a sea of agony. But he did not return my call. Sinking into the muddy bank of the river, heart heavy, I buried my face in my hands. Tears welled in my eyes. I shouldn’t have gone into Gideon’s camp the other night. We’d brought this nightmare upon everyone.

“I hope you’re not crying over me,” a familiar voice said.

My heart leapt at the sight of Caiden coming up the riverbank. The light of the dying fires flickering on his golden hair. Blood stained his armor. A picture of the fierce warrior I had fallen in love with. “I thought you were dead.”

“It takes more than some mountain goblins to kill me.” He pulled me into his arms, wrapping his cloak around us both. I reveled in his warmth. The smell of blood and steel lingered on his skin. “I’m glad you’re safe, Springborn.”

I buried my face in his chest, not wanting to let him go. “Help me get Baylis into camp.”

“Amolie’s potion was strong,” Caiden said, waving his hand in front of Baylis’s face.

We heaved her up over the small hill to where a few tattered tents remained.

“Roderick, Lucius?” I gave Caiden a panicked look.

“They are fine. Tharan is here, too. He’s resting in a tent. Roderick and Lucius are looking after him. They’ve got Amolie working on a potion.”

I gazed at the men bandaging their wounds. “We need more healers.”

“Most of my men will heal themselves. Illya’s gift protectsus.” He pulled open the tent where Tharan lay on a table in the center of the room. Amolie stood over a bubbling cauldron.

“Put her over there,” she said, pointing at a cot near Tharan.

“Make sure you tie her to it,” Lucius said, pulling a pair of manacles from his pocket. “If she is brainwashed by Gideon, she may try to attack us.”

“No, I won’t have her tied,” I said, pushing Lucius away.

“It’s for her own good and our safety,” Lucius said, holding the manacles up.

Caiden lay a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be alright, Aelia. If she wakes, she might try to run or attack us.”

I bit my lip in contemplation. “Fine, but make sure they aren’t too tight.”

Laying Baylis on the bed, we secured her hands and feet.I stroked her hair lovingly.

The large female member of the Hunt I had seen in the palace entered, her helmet tucked under her arm. She looked at Tharan, smoothing his hair over his sloped ears.

“We’ve been friends since childhood.” Tears welled in her eyes. “He defended me when no one else would.”

“He’ll be alright,” Amolie said, touching the female’s ironclad hand. “What is your name?”

“Sumac,” the sylph woman said.

I recognized her voice.

“You saved me. The other day, it was you.” I bowed my head. “Thank you for your kindness.”

“It was him.” She motioned to Tharan. “He could… sense you were in trouble.”

Tharan’s chest moved up and down with his breath.

“He always knows when those he cares about are in trouble,” Sumac said, more to herself than to anyone in particular.

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