Page 84 of Vathia
“Mother?” Jesper asks and Evander nods.
“As I was saying, we need to get him treatment now.”
Aemon nods, springing into action and blinking into the wagon, and it becomes quiet again. I’m assuming he took Dante and Jesper’s mother via shadow-blink to get medical assistance.
“What happened?” I ask Evander who’s covered in blood while Talyn interjects with a deadly calm voice.
“Where is my sister?”
“I’m right here, you overbearing prick,” Cynder snaps as she climbs out of the wagon, looking exhausted as she leans against Evander for support. “We found Jesper and Evander’s mom, Ceila, and then we headed across the realm to Lord Driscol’s grounds to see about rescuing Killian’s mother. It was an ambush. We were attacked almost the moment we stepped foot on his property, which should have been impossible. I’m sorry but…” Her lip wobbles as she searches out my giant mate. “Lord Driscol slit her throat in front of us. There wasn’t anything we could do, and Dante took an arrow that was aimed for me. I’m so sorry.”
Killian doesn’t say a word before he silently turns on his heel and leaves the courtyard. I am devastated at hearing Cynder’s news, my heart sinking, and move to go after him butTalyn places a hand on my shoulder. “Give him some time. He’s going to have a lot of conflicting feelings, and he would be even more upset with himself if he hurt you.”
I nod, but watch him leave, the bond aching the further he gets. I’ll seek him out later, even if it’s just to convince him to hide in the library with me.
“How would he have known you were going to be there?” Aemon mutters mostly to himself.
Cormac shrugs as he stands at Evander’s side. “It could have something to do with the fact that Lord Verlice knew we were looking for their mother,” he gestures with his chin towards Jesper and his brother. “He may have given Lord Driscol notice, but that’s the only reasoning we could come up with. We were extremely careful.”
Talyn just nods and squeezes Jesper’s shoulder. “Go see your mother. I’ll finish getting the report. Ravina?” He asks, softening his voice. “Could you please take my sister and help her? Give her a room, get some food for her?”
My eyes widen, and it may be the fact that he asked instead of demanded, but I nod my head. “Of course. Catch me up later?”
He shocks me again by nodding.
Cynder is sobbing and shaking as I wrap my arms around her waist since she’s slightly taller than myself, and I guide her back inside.
Mel and Ember run ahead to find a room for us, and Nero does something that shocks me and curls up on Cynder’s shoulder, offering her some comfort. “It will be okay,” I whisper to her.
“Dante’s going to die because of me,” she whimpers, leaning into me. “That arrow was meant for me! Lord Driscol is going to tell my father who I was spotted with. He’s going to know where I am!”
I rub her back, unable to console her with soft words. “We will figure it out. Let’s just start with getting you clean and comfortable. Not to mention we can always think better with food in our stomachs.”
She sobs again but nods. This poor female has been through the wringer and hopefully with some care she’ll be feeling better soon enough. I don’t need to mess this up somehow and have Talyn upset with me for damaging his sister even more.
Once we have her in a room, Roz and Lennox run to the kitchen to scrounge up some food for her, and Mel goes to grab her soaps and oils. It doesn’t take her long to come back, and we swiftly get a bath set up for Cynder.
“Thank you guys for helping me,” I tell them as I take the plates of food from Roz and place them on the table.
He waves me off. “No worries. We will be down in the courtyard training if you need us.”
I nod and give them each a hug before walking them to the door. After a moment I decide to sit in the chair next to the small bistro table on the balcony and pick at the food the others brought for Cynder and I.
After a bit, an exhausted-looking female—that’s all that’s left of the usually bold Cynder—shuffles out onto the balcony. “I want to go see Dante,” she whispers.
I push the plate towards her. “Of course we can, but after you eat something. You need your strength too, you know.”
She goes to open her mouth but I hold up my hand. “Don’t make me give you a Queenly order or something,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
She doesn’t smile but she does come and sit down, picking at the fruit, so I take that as a bonus. I don’t press her for conversation, and after finishing half a plate she pushes it away.
“I’ve eaten as much as I can right now.”
I take a deep breath. I know it isn’t the time, but I need to know. “Cynder, do you remember a dream the other night? I think I pulled you into one…”
Her eyes snap up to mine. “No, no dream. I don’t dream,” she states, standing abruptly. “I’ve eaten what I can. I need to see Dante now. Please.”
Rising up from the chair, I nod. “Alright, let’s bring you to the infirmary. If you would like to take my hand, I can blink us there. It’ll be faster than walking.”
