Page 205 of A Flame of the Phoenix

Zaiana’s request could work against her ifNytebetrayed her. But she had little left to lose anyway.

She said, “You’re going to need to find someone with wings who can deliver a fast message.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

Faythe

Faythe sat in front of Reylan, wishing she could take some of his pain as she plucked at small pieces of the ruin crumbling in his chest. She winced for him, pulling another sharp serration, but Reylan sat there like steel, his breathing measured and controlled, enduring it.

“We need a healer with magick. It’s like it’s dissolving.” Faythe was panicked but tried to maintain her outward bravery for him.

The tan of Reylan’s skin was washed pale and slicked with fever. Atherius’s magick wasn’t helping with the punishment the ruin had inflicted on him. She’d thought rest might bring back some of his strength, but his condition had worsened overnight.

Faythe gathered the pieces she could retract in a piece of cloth, but what remained now looked like broken coal buried deep in his flesh, turning his skin gray.

“I’m fine,” Reylan said.

“You’re not fine. Nothing about this is fine.”

“I have you back. I’m more than fine.”

He absentmindedly stroked her thighs, straddled on either side of him, as if she were the one in need of reassurance. His head tipped back against the wall of the hut. It was their second night here, and Faythe was aware of how much they risked by staying should Marvellas come. But at dawn this morning, Reylan could hardly move, and they wouldn’t survive the temperature outside to find another shelter. Faythe’s magick constantly hummed in her veins in anticipation, making her jittery and antsy. She could hardly be still for a moment.

The Firebird lay curled in a tight ball, having not moved since she’d blocked the hole in the hut wall to keep them warm within.

Reylan’s hand ran up her spine while his lips leaned into her neck, distracting her. Faythe sighed with the bliss of his touches, but her mind remained stern.

“You need to rest,” she whispered, willing herself to push him back.

His eyes never left her though they watched her through hooded, tired lids. She wished he would try to sleep, but it was like he was too afraid. As if those hours of vulnerability in his sleep could give his mind back to Marvellas.

Faythe leaned over, cupping his cheek. “Please.”

Reylan almost smiled. “I would drop to my knees and tear apart cities if you asked like that. But I’m not letting you out of my sight so soon after getting you back.”

“You have to sleep.”

He tucked her loose hair behind her ear. “I shouldn’t have left you in Rhyenelle when the battle first broke.”

That confession slipped out as barely a pained murmur through his lips.

“You had to lead. It was your duty.”

“I should have taken you with me.”

Faythe shook her head. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to rewrite the past for an outcome that will never be. This is where we arenow. And despite the Nether we had to go through and that is still open around us, we’re together now.”

He inhaled a long breath, heavy with burden. “You’re right.”

“I always am.”

Reylan gave a light, tired chuckle. The sound spread warmth through her. He drew her close.

“I’m terrified,” he whispered against her mouth—a secret passed in a shared breath. “I remember everything from the time she had me at her will, and I’m terrified I don’t have the willpower to refuse her influence when we see her again, even without the ruin in me.”

“You do,” Faythe said fiercely. Her fingers threaded through his silver hair. “She won’t get the chance to be close to you anytime soon. We’ll train. If what you’ve been through has weakened your mental barriers, we’ll train with me. I’ll try to infiltrate your mind, and you’ll block me each time. I’m just as strong as her.”

At least, she had to become as powerful.Believeshe could contend with Marvellas when the time came.

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