Page 89 of Under the Mistletoe
“You are outnumbered.” The tall one in the center spoke. He wasn’t the strongest of the three, but with his height and calculating gaze, he no doubt was the one in charge. His eyes locked on Astryn’s pendant. “All we want is the woman. Let her go and we won’t harm you.”
“That isn’t going to happen.” Rand’s voice was almost a growl. “You see, that woman is my wife, and she just told me she loves me. So why don’t you three walk away, and we can get back to things that are none of your business.”
The tall man nodded to the burliest of them, who took a step toward Rand and Astryn. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”
“Back at you.” Rand raised his sword.
* * *
Devin read faster. Skipping some of the sword flashing. She could come back and read the details of it later. Right now she needed to know. Was Rand going to save Astryn? Was Logan going to fight for his career? For them?
* * *
Astryn gaped at the bodies of the three assailants on the ground, then at Rand, who stood wiping his sword. Rand had done it. He’d killed all three and even managed to ascertain that they were Valderian. At least their enemy had a name and a king who would give account for their actions. She took a step toward Rand just as he swayed.
Astryn ran toward him, but he was already lowering himself to the ground. What was happening? They had won.
“Rand.” She reached for him, but his shirt was damp and warm. She drew her hand back, covered in blood. “No. Rand. Don’t you dare die on me.”
The red stain spread on his shirt. She pulled back his coat, revealing a deep gash the length of her hand. No.No!
No, no, it couldn’t be. She’d only just found him. She couldn’t let him go. She pressed her hand against the wound, but there was no stopping the flow of blood. “You can’t leave me. You promised to build me a cottage. You promised.”
Rand lifted a weak hand as the color faded from his face. “You are safe now.”
She gripped her necklace, but his hand weakly covered hers. “No.”
She tried to push his hand away, but he shook his head.
“You can’t.” The words were labored and rough. “It will kill you. You…must live.”
“I can save you.” Her words were barely recognizable through her sobs.
“It will kill you. Just like my mother. You know it is true.”
She should have never told him about the whole encounter. But she had told him when she’d believed she’d failed to save Orin.
The power is a gift, and it belongs to Origin. Don’t forget that when you are forced to make the same choice between life and love.
The day had come, and it hadn’t been about Orin but her true love. She could choose to save Rand, but it would cost her everything. Then where would the country be? Anathia would have no leader, Cambria would have no future. And no one left alive would know the Valderian king had been behind it all. One of them had to live.
A deep sob that pulled from her core ripped from her as Astryn pressed her lips to Rand’s clammy cheek. Her whole body shook, but she didn’t even try to stop the tears as she closed her eyes, laying her head on Rand’s chest, waiting for it to beat its last.
* * *
She set down her phone and pulled her comforter over her head. He was letting any hope of them die. And if she was right, he was letting Victor Holt die.
Lord, I feel so helpless. I need You to show up.
She lowered the blanket and read the verse Hannah had mentioned yesterday. As soon as she’d gotten back to her room, she’d looked it up and written it on her mirror with dry-erase marker.The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
She had to believe that God was also going before Logan. Loving him. Showing up for him. And while the end was still unfinished, there was still hope.
And if God needed her to show up for Logan, that He’d make it clear and He’d make a way. Because just driving north until she hit Thompsonville and hoping she ran into him probably wouldn’t work.
Her phone chimed and she picked it up.
Hannah
