Page 20 of The Study of Storms and Magic
“Why?”
“The authorities will need to know what he planned to do after the prison break. They’ll want to know who else was working with him.”
“And he killed Annika and Endre. He’ll eventually be executed,” Heli added.
Valek would approve if she drained Lorton dry, but killing the captain would upset Zethan and Heli. She stopped, letting Lorton live. For now. If the Commander didn’t send him to the gallows, she’d hunt him down and finish the job.
When Lorton recovered, they cuffed him to the wagon.
“You knew I could take him, Zo. Why did you—I don’t even know what to call it.” Zethan ran a hand through his hair—a clear sign he was upset.
“He hurt you. He deserved to be drained.”
“How did you even know you could dothat?”
“I didn’t.” She glared at Lorton. “He hurt you and Heli. You’re not the only one who is protective. It’s a family trait.”
Once Zethan calmed down, the three of them discussed what to do with the captain. Zethan suggested they drop him off in the next town they encounter.
“No,” Zo said. “He has connections in this area. We need to take him to the Commander.”
Lorton, who had been quiet, gasped and protested. They ignored him.
“I agree,” Heli said. “It’s not that far out of our way and we can go past the place where…” Tears filled her eyes. “They might…still be there. Or…” She sniffed.
Or someone found Annika and Endre’s bodies but probably wouldn’t be able to identify them.
Zee squeezed Heli’s shoulder. “That’s a good idea. We should leave in the morning. I’m beat.”
That night, they took turns guarding their prisoner. The temperature in the valley dropped significantly and she wasfrozen through by the end of her shift. Zethan took over and she returned to the narrow bed in the shelter.
Unable to warm up, she shivered. Then a weight settled on her mattress. Heli slid under the blanket, joining Zohav. Warmth enveloped her.
“Your teeth were chattering,” Heli said.
“Sorry I woke you.”
“Don’t be. We haven’t had a moment alone since…”
“Never?”
Heli laughed. “Yeah, your family doesn’t believe in privacy.”
“We weren’t really that far into our…relationship.”
Suddenly serious, Heli asked, “Is that what we have?”
“I was hoping we’d eventually get there. I thought I’d showed you?—”
“You did. You can’t flirt to save your life, but it was awkwardly adorable, and I got the gist.” She pushed up on her elbow to meet Zohav’s gaze. “But was it real? You had, well, we both had a scare. And then this cluster fuck with Lorton. You might change your mind when you’re safe at home.”
“That scare taught me that I can’t protect my heart. And I don’t have to. It’s pretty resilient. Not that I won’t grieve or be sad or depressed. I’ve a reputation to live up to.” Zohav tried joking, but Heli remained quiet for a long time. Did Heli no longer feel the same way? Perhaps Zohav should add humiliation and embarrassment to her list of heart aches.
“Would you have killed Lorton if we didn’t say anything?” Heli asked.
“Yes.” Zohav wasn’t going to lie to her.
“And the soldiers swept downstream?”
