Page 88 of Sun Elves of Ardani

They needed no further encouragement. Both of them turned and ran into the darkness.

Neiryn lowered his sword. He had to wonder about the honor of Ardanians. Maybe they’d pick up a bow and shoot him from the shadows as soon as he turned his back.

“Are you injured, Neiryn?” Felmai asked. She was breathing hard and holding her side. Tanwyn was sitting up, alive, but not lively.

Kadaki’s healing had stopped just short of incapacitating Neiryn with dire spell fever, but nausea and dizziness still threatened to claim him, slowing his movements and making his vision swim. The wounds on his arms burned faintly, and his limbs were heavy with exhaustion. Every part of him felt bruised and overworked, and his body was buzzing uncomfortably with residual magic from the healing.

“I’m well,” he lied. He nodded toward Tanwyn. “Take him to safety while you can.”

Felmai nodded, bending to help Tanwyn to his feet. “Stay safe.”

They turned the corner, and darkness quickly consumed the space where Felmai’s flame had been. Neiryn moved on, scanning the streets for Rhian and Eliyr.

No sooner had he turned a corner than another figure stepped out in front of him. He raised his sword, startled.

“Sair Neiryn,” said the figure, coming closer. Neiryn squinted at him as he entered the circle of light around his flame.

“Commander Caradoc,” Neiryn said, unable to hide his dislike of the man. He was alone, which was a surprise. “Your people are being slaughtered. Shouldn’t you be helping them?”

“I was busy taking care of the loose ends you’re leaving.”

It took Neiryn several long seconds to notice the shapes on the ground behind Caradoc. The two Ardanians he’d let run were sprawled in the alley, unmoving. Unexpected sorrow shot through him.

“Does Rhian always tolerate such sloppy work?” Caradoc said.

“They had surrendered,” Neiryn replied tightly.

“There will be no surrender here. The vermin have finally come out, and now we can finally exterminate them.”

“That’s not how things are supposed to go. That is not in line with our orders.”

“You’re questioning me?”

“Of course I’m questioning you. This disaster happened because of your stupidity.”

“The Ardanians brought this on us. Their greed and foolishness—”

“Yourgreed and foolishness,” Neiryn said, laughing in disbelief. “What have you done? You couldn’t have run things worse. How did such an idiot gain this position? You must have friends in high places.”

“And you? How did a human-lover end up wearing our sun on his chest?”

Neiryn tried to brush past him. “Go to your soldiers. You might not be a real leader, but at least Aevyr has seen fit to bless you with fire. You can fight, if nothing else.”

Caradoc’s arm shot out and stopped Neiryn as he tried to pass. “Where is the mage?”

Neiryn narrowed his eyes at him. “Stay away from her. She has nothing to do with this.”

“You’re a traitor through and through, aren’t you?” he sneered. “Tell me where she is. That’s an order.”

He gripped Caradoc by his collar. “I will personally deal with anyone who touches her. Do you understand?”

Caradoc grinned. “But I’ve already touched her, haven’t I? Maybe I’ll do it again when we’re finished here. She’s rather pretty, isn’t she? Instead of killing her, I could collar her and tie her to my bed. She seems to like being a whore well enough, anyway.”

Before Neiryn could move, Caradoc’s hand flashed upward, fire flaring in his palm.

Neiryn reacted instantly, redirecting the fire away from him. He dropped his sword, raising both hands. A mass of flames vibrated between them as they each pushed, trying to overpower the other’s magic.

Neiryn didn’t regret that it had come to this. On the contrary, all thoughts of possible consequences had left his mind. All he thought of now was his desire to make Caradoc feel pain. This had been coming since that first night they’d met, when he’d attacked Kadaki.

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