Page 105 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
Did Raith know that? Had she made that clear? Years from now, if he was still trapped and forced to do Furie’s bidding, would he be able to think back on this moment and know she didn’t blame him for what he’d done? She had to be sure.
Through the agony, through her screams, she managed to say, “L-love you… Know you have to…don’t have a choice… Already forgive you…just l-love—”
The burning stopped suddenly.
Was she dead already? Was it over? But no, the pain from her injuries lingered, and she was vaguely aware of Raith’s shadowy shape above her.
Had he stopped himself again?
“Harrow…”
Even through the haze, she stilled. He sounded like himself. Could he actually fight this?
But she never got the chance to find out.
A powerful explosion of magic split the night. Instantly, the darkness became blazing white light, the pressure so immense, it was nearly as agonizing as burning alive. Tornado-like winds whipped the air into a frenzy, and heavy rain pelted the ground. Harrow screamed again.
Raith did too.
And then he was torn away from her, talons ripping out of her shoulders, causing fresh waves of blood to spill. She didn’t even notice. The power… She recognized its signature.
Water magic.
But Harrow hadn’t done this. So who…?
Raith roared from somewhere, swallowed by the all-consuming light.
She sat up with a jolt, invigorated by adrenaline-fueled panic. “Raith!” Where had he gone? What was happening?
Scrambling to her feet despite her injuries, she stumbled through the torrential downpour, screaming his name. Tears streaked down her face, mingling with rainwater and her blood. She’d been seconds from death at his hands, but it didn’t matter. She didn’t want him hurt, and his tortured howl was an obvious indication that he was.
“Harrow!” Malaikah came out of the whiteness, fighting through the storm to reach her.
What in the world was Malaikah doing here? Harrow’s addled brain struggled to make sense of it and failed. Weakness overwhelmed her, and at the sight of her friend, she started to fall. Malaikah caught her as she went down, and they ended up on their knees, water drenching them and wind whipping around them with an earsplitting roar.
“Where’s Raith?” Harrow cried, clutching Mal’s shoulders.
But Mal wasn’t listening. She was saying, “Oh Goddess, oh Goddess, oh Goddess,” again and again, her hands fluttering over Harrow’s bloody body. Still, Raith’s howls of agony rent the air, audible even amid the roaring wind.
“Raith…” Harrow was losing consciousness at last. “Malaikah, help…Raith.”
“It’s over now,” Malaikah was saying. “You’re safe from him.”
No, no, she didn’t understand. Harrow needed her to understand. But her tongue felt like a rock in her mouth, and she couldn’t see straight. “Raith…”
Suddenly, the downpour stopped. The light dissipated. The magic was withdrawn, and the air became breathable again. The forest clearing with the starry sky returned. Silence reigned. Malaikah still clutched Harrow, holding her upright, both of them soaked to their skin.
But where was Raith?
Harrow’s question was answered the next instant as Queen Darya stepped into view. Her hair was windswept yet somehow dry, her face pale from exertion. She crouched beside Harrow and stroked her bloody face with a trembling hand. “There, there, child. It’s all right. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“No…”
“He’ll never be able to hurt you again.”
Harrow wanted to scream, but she didn’t have the strength. Her vision was going black, head swimming, thoughts muddled. But she was clear-thinking enough to realize before she finally slipped into unconsciousness…
Darya had betrayed her again.
