Page 294 of Emylia

I couldn’t stay still.

I couldn’t stand it.

I took one desperate, shaking step forward.

Halfway through my second—the door slammed open.

Air punched from my lungs. Maalikai staggered out, cradling my mother in his arms.

She was too still.

Too pale.

Blood soaked her body, staining Maalikai’s arms, dripping into the dirt as he carried her.

But she was alive.

Undeniably. Impossibly. Alive.

At least for now.

Even from here, the blood was unmistakable.

It wasn’t just on her—itownedher.

It slicked across her skin, soaked into her clothes, bled from places I couldn’t even see. It clung to Maalikai like a second skin.

I didn’t know how bad it was. If she could survive this. If it was possible for me to heal her wounds. Bile surged in the back of my throat. Tears blurred my vision.

No.

Just no.

Without thinking, I took another step forward.

I didn’t care about danger anymore.

I didn’t care about strategy.

I needed to be with her.

I needed toprotect her.

I needed her to live.

A flicker of movement at the edge of my vision snapped my head around. Another warrior. Striding from the barn, sword at the ready, eyes locking onto Maalikai.

Less than ten yards separated them.

Too close.

Maalikai was completely exposed. Defenseless.

He knew it. I knew it.

The warrior knew it.

A blood-curdling war cry ripped from the enemy’s throat as he charged, blade raised high.

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