Page 126 of Silver & Smoke
‘Fuck,’ he muttered. The hand that held the last doses of the strengthening potion shook, and he cursed himself for being so careless with the previous doses.
‘I’m sorry,’ Dessa told him, her voice pained as she too looked at his tremors. ‘We ran out of a few things, and with the limited facilities here, we couldn’t control the temperature—’
‘Don’t apologize,’ he said quietly. ‘You’ve given me more time than I thought possible. You did all that you could.’
But Dessa was shaking her head. ‘It wasn’t enough.’
‘It waseverything,’ he said fiercely. ‘Every second more that I got to spend with her waseverything, and it was because of you, Dess. And Zavier. I got to see her become a fuckingqueen.’
‘There’s still the battle...’ Dessa unrolled a pouch on the camp bed. ‘These won’t be as powerful as the tonic, but they’ll give youa burst of energy when you need it most. It’s a potent mixture of dried iruseed. You’re well acquainted with it by now, aren’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good.’ Dessa held up a strange-looking capsule. ‘I made you three of these. It’s a concentrated dose. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone unless—’
‘They were dying?’ Torj finished for her with a wry smile. ‘Had nothing left to lose?’
‘Your words,’ Dessa replied. ‘Just don’t take them all at once, and for Furies’ sake, don’t tell Wren I gave them to you.’
‘Duly noted.’
Dessa sighed. ‘I already know I’m going to regret this.’
‘You won’t,’ Torj assured her. ‘I’ll always protect her. Even if it’s the last thing I do.’
‘That’s what I’m worried about,’ the red-headed alchemist scoffed, before rummaging through her pockets. ‘Here.’ Dessa handed him a thin silver chain. ‘The vials can be attached to that and tucked beneath your breastplate – easier to access that way.’
‘Thank you, Dessa,’ he said. ‘Truly.’
‘Thank her by staying alive,’ came Kipp’s voice. His head of auburn hair appeared through the canvas flap. ‘Zavier’s asking for you, Dess.’
Dessa gave Torj a businesslike nod. ‘Stay safe, Bear Slayer. Our queen needs you.’
Torj simply saluted her with one of the vials as she left. He felt Kipp’s eyes on him as he threaded the doses of strengthening potion onto the chain around his neck, tucking them beneath his undershirt.
‘What is it, Snowden?’ he asked, surveying the armour he’d laid out on his camp bed, wondering how the fuck he’d get it on with the way his fingers were trembling.
‘I’m just here to confirm your position,’ Kipp replied evenly.
‘Frontline,’ Torj said without hesitation. ‘I’ll lead the charge.’
Kipp sighed. ‘I suspected as much. Queen Reyna’s forces are yours to command—’
Torj frowned. ‘Says who?’
‘Says the winter queen herself.’ Kipp unfolded a map, smoothing it out in front of Torj. ‘You’ll take the city gates. You can create a bottleneck there for a time, but those walls are old and in disrepair – they won’t hold forever, so hit their vanguard hard from the first charge.’
Torj nodded. ‘Archers?’
Kipp drew his finger along the map. ‘Across the walls, led by Cal, as long as the walls stand. Regent Liora’s army will be waiting within, when they inevitably breach the gates.’
‘Anything else?’ Torj asked with a note of dismissal.
Kipp studied him for a moment. ‘Don’t do anything stupid.’
‘That’s rich, coming from you,’ Torj said, trying to make light of the comment.
But Kipp, who was usually the most jovial person Torj knew – irritatingly so – was serious. ‘I mean it.’
