Page 58 of This Vicious Dream

“Calysian!” I swallow lake water, my arms screaming, every muscle in my body trembling as I half-drag, half-push his massive body toward the shoreline. The overhang looms above our heads, and I let the current carry us sideways toward a narrow stretch of muddy ground. My knees hit mud, and I stagger to my feet, pulling Calysian onto the shore.

Dropping to my knees, I press my lips to his, pushing air into his lungs. I can feel Kyldare’s eyes on me, can sense his soldiers clambering over the rocks between us.

I could have escaped. And instead, I attempted to save this unconscious brute.

Thisstubborn,infuriatingman who won’twake up.

A dark flame lights in the center of Calysian’s chest, spreading throughout his body until he’s surrounded by a shadow. The shadow curls toward me invitingly, and I jolt backwards. It freezes, and I get the strangest feeling that I’ve rejected something important.

Eammon lands next to me. “His chest.”

“I know. Something is happening with his power.”

“No. His chest isrising. He’s breathing.”

Relief shudders through me, until I’m light headed. But the soldiers are almost here. I need to get Calysian on his horse.

No. There’s no time.

Already, I can hear the first soldier’s boots pounding as they charge up the bank.

“He wouldn’t have wanted you to jump in after him,” Eamonn says.

“He’s used to me denying him the things he wants.”

Calysian’s eyes slowly open, dazed and filled with pain. But his gaze drops to my mouth. “She speaks the truth.”

He shifts his attention to my hands. I’ve begun trembling. The cold. That’s all it is. My clothes are heavy, sodden with frigid lake water.

“I need you to get up.” Panic leeches into my voice and Calysian’s eyes immediately sharpen. When he sits, his face turns gray, his huge body swaying.

“Your eyes,” he murmurs. “They’re glowing again.”

“You need to focus.”

He studies me, and I can practically see him creating a plan. “I know what to do. But I need you to trust me.”

I hesitate, my skin prickling, and one side of his mouth kicks up. “I know. You’ll have to suppress all of your instincts. But it’s our only chance.”

“Fine.”

With sheer force of will, Calysian manages to make it to his feet. The soldiers are less than fifty footspans away.

“Hand over the woman, and we’ll let you live.” Kyldare’s voice is silky, his tone oh-so-reasonable as his words curl around our heads. It’s as if he’s standing a footspan from us. Another trick from his witch.

They don’t know who Calysian is. They can’t. If they knew the dark god was standing in front of them, they wouldn’t be attempting to bargain with him.

Not when he is all that truly stands between Vicana and the grimoire.

“You’ve been up to no good, Madinia,” Kyldare smiles at me, and I barely hide a flinch.

Calysian glances between me and the soldiers.

He could give me to them right now. I’m sure if he keeps traveling west, he’ll eventually sense the grimoire.

The world turns fuzzy at the edges, my heart slamming into my ribs. But I won’t let any of these men see my terror.

“You want her?” Calysian asks, and my stomach sinks. “Come and take her from me.”

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