Page 112 of Echoes of the Raven
Heal him, I think, waiting breathlessly for a sign that it’s working, but he remains still, lifeless.
I search Galen’s face for an answer.
He frowns. “Maybe put your hands on his chest or… something.”
The bastardo doesn’t seem sure, but with no better idea of my own, I must try. I go to hang the amulet around my neck, but it’s broken.
Galen waves his hand, and it’s suddenly whole again. I don’t question his actions. Instead, I put on The Eldrystone, kneel next to Rífíor, and brace both hands against his ribs.
Heal!This time, my thought is forceful, a command.
As if lightning has struck him, Rífíor sits up, dark eyes wide, blood spraying from his mouth as he coughs. A wave of relief washes over me, and I lean back, trying not to show it. I blink in awe, noticing that the burns on his chest have also healed.
Breathing hard, he glances all around, taking in the situation. When his eyes meet mine, he seems confused. Blinking, he runs a hand down his side and inhales deeply.
“Thank you,” he mouths.
I stand. “I couldn’t let the Fae King die in thisgodsforsakenrealm.” I turn my attention to Galen, vaguely noticing my torn nails have healed too, and all pain in my side is gone. “What now?” I ask, expecting him to have an answer because I sure don’t. I don’t know what to do next.
My plan to reopen the veil doesn’t seem half as sound anymore—not when one of the most vengeful people I know is Tirnanog’s kingandthe owner of the most powerful object in existence.
I had hoped to approach King Korben Theric, entering his palace with his lost jewel in hand. I imagined he would be grateful for such a gift, and after that, everything else would have been easy. He would have agreed to an arrangement that would result in a peaceful, civilizedtransition. There would be no retaliation for any injustices we might have committed against his kin. He would understand it was a sad and natural reality that two different races can’t coexist without tensions arising, for surely, the humans stuck in the fae realm have gone through a similar experience.
But now, how can I reason with him? How can I trust him when he won’t tell me exactly what led to the veil’s collapse?
“What now?” Galen repeats. “Well, I would say you’re under arrest but—”
A fist strikes the sorcerer across the jaw, and he goes down like an anvil, hitting the ground with bone-cracking force.
“Arsehole!” Rífíor shakes his hand, glaring at the fallen sorcerer.
The guards, who up until now have stayed at the fringes of the clearing, close the circle, swords pointed at us. They look terrified but are following orders, nonetheless.
Thankfully, Calierin is still ensconced in Galen’s espiritu, even if he’s unconscious. She’s too volatile and would only complicate things.
Rífíor goes for his discarded sword, ready to start a fight.
I open my mouth to tell him to stop, but my words are cut off by the arrival of more guards, and the last person I ever expected to encounter during this journey: Don Justo Medrano.
“No one move a muscle,” he says, squaring his shoulders and facing Rífíor and me. “If anything happens to me or anyone else in my party,” he glances down at the fallen sorcerer and makes a gesture to indicate the fae doesn’t count, “somethingunfortunatewill befall a certain cousin of yours, Dear Princess.” He smiles crookedly and coldly, sending a shiver down my spine.
Gods!He has Jago.
45
VALERIA
“Should something unfortunate happen to Valeria and Jago Plumanegra, my betrothed will become second in line to Castella’s throne. Ah, the wonders of the world!”
Don Justo Ramiro Medrano - Master Mason - 21 AV
“Hand the amulet over.” Don Justo extends a hand in my direction, still smirking.
Rage with the force of an earthquake courses up my body. I clench my teeth to stop me from trembling, to clear my mind and erase any thoughts of killing this bastardo on the spot. I have to make sure Jago is all right. I have to lay eyes on him, and then…
“Give me the amulet,” he repeats, a rumbling threat in his voice and a hand raised to grab me.
With a rumble in his own chest, Rífíor joins my side. “Touch her, and it will be the last thing you do.”
