Page 62 of Burning Heir

Damien huffed. “Your mother played God during her time here. Perhaps this is nature correcting itself by giving the daughter of death herself the ability to heal. There’s only one way to find out.” His eyes traced the caked blood crusted on Everett’s ear, his parted blue lips, and his golden eyes.

He gripped my wrist, dragging me down. “Sev. Let’s try. Knox won’t recover from this. I read his mind.”

I nodded as I sank to my heels. “What if it doesn’t work?” I whispered.

“Then he’s dead,” said Damien.

I pressed my hands against the grit of Everett’s cheeks like I’d done with Myla. Knox lost his brother. I didn’t want him to lose the idea of love. I wanted Knox to be happy.

We all waited, hovering around Everett as if we’d see that first thump of his chest. I fell back, staring at Damien. “My mother’s quell may have been dark and willed death, but I am not the light.”

Everett heaved forward, his palm flat across his chest. “Holy shit.” The color drained back into his cheeks as he ran a hand through his blood- and dirt-caked hair. “What happened?”

“You fell off Iridis,” said Archer, placing his palm on Everett’s chest. “You broke a few bones—it’s best not to make sudden movements until the healer can look at you.”

Archer met my gaze. Fear—or something—stared back, but I couldn’t miss the hint of disgust in his curled lips as he helped Everett up.

Wind slashed through the shield of shadow, and in stepped Malachi. “Don’t worry, I’ll take him to the infirmary,” she said. “Sev, make sure you’re home tonight. We have a lot to discuss.”

Damien helped me off the ground, brushing a flake of blood off my thumb. “You are the light, Severyn.”

I nodded. Ropes of flame withered around my guts. I saw Archer’s slight curl of his outstretched fingers as shadows simmered my burn. He seemed to be the only one aware of the nausea roiling inside me.

Archer whispered, “Not a word of this to anyone, not even Knox. Malachi can listen through the wind, so there’s no point in keeping it from her.”

I leaned against Damien. “They’re going to strip me of my quell,” I cried. “Professor Cain suspects something dark in me.”

Archer rolled his shoulders. “Just lay low for now. Training for Skyfall will only draw unwanted attention to you. If the professor suspected your forbidden quell, he would have told the headmaster by now. The healers are a bandage compared to you.”

My head began to whirl. “I need sleep.”

Damien exhaled. “I’ll walk you home.”

Chapter Fourteen

I sat on my bed beside Damien, fisting the cotton blanket. “Do you think they will force me out of the academy?” I asked.

“Saving a life is hardly a negative thing. You gave Everett a chance today.” Damien leaned closer to me, our shoulders brushing against each other. “You were meant to find Naraic, albeit you lied to me about him, but he was yours to bond with.”

“You always seem to know what to say.” Heat rose to my cheeks.Of course, he did. He was reading my mind.

Damien sighed loudly. “I don’t do it often, and I shut myself out whenever I hear my name in your head. Shielding works, but it gives me massive headaches after hours of holding it. I don’t want to invade your privacy, Sev.”

I laughed nervously. “I guess there’s no hiding anything.”

Damien groaned, jerking his face toward the door. “Malachi’s thoughts are loud. She’ll be here in three, two, one.”

Malachi stepped inside. “Was I interrupting?”

I flashed a quick wink at him. “No, Damien was leaving.”

“Good, I’m exhausted. I spent an hour beside Everett. He nearly tore my hand off as his bones reset. Knox knows he’s alive. He nearly fainted when he walked into the wing.” She swayed her hand, gesturing to the slim distance between Damien and me. “We have much to discuss, including your quell, Naraic, and why Damien Lynch is sitting on your bed close enough to kiss you.”

Damien raised his hands defensively. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sev.” He closed the door, and Malachi turned on her heel and faced me.

“Archer wasn’t joking when he said you can hear through the wind,” I said.

Malachi fell into her bed, sprawling out. “Okay, go ahead and ask.”

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