Page 156 of The King has Fallen
I nodded. Turo had a soft spot for my sister, Istral, so understood why I wanted to take Gall from here. But he didn’t like the added complication of haulingtwoNephilim across an enemy nation.
“Thank you,” I whispered, putting a hand to his arm. “You’re a good man, Turo.”
He sagged and quickly placed his other hand over mine before I could draw it off his forearm. Startled, I flinched and yanked my hand back before I caught myself.
The hurt in his eyes was… heartbreaking. He stepped right up to my toes, but thankfully, didn’t touch me. “You do not need to fear me, Yilan,” he breathed. “I won’t push you. Not after all you’ve been through.”
I shook my head. “You just startled me—”
But he hissed a curse and his eyes went fierce—in defense of me, I knew. Turo had never harmed me. He loved me. I knew that. I’d always assumed the admiration and gratitude I had for him would evolve into love over time. But now…
Raising his hand slowly so I would see it coming, he cupped the side of my neck, tracing the line of my jaw with his thumb. I had to brace not to shudder.
“They will pay, Yilan. We willmakethem pay.”
I sagged, but he looked at me intently.
“Don’t worry, we won’t risk this mission,” he muttered. “You’ve done well. But hear me, Yilan, when we’re home and you’re safe, when you see that you don’t have to protect yourself anymore… then you’ll tell me. You’ll tell me, and we will grieve together.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, though my heart sank because I knew he wanted to hear what hadtrulyhappened, even less than what he thought was coming.
Then I tensed, because his whisper grew fierce. “I vow to you, Yilan. I will kill anyone who so much as looked at you wrongly.”
I wanted to tell him all of it, right then, so he didn’t have to carry that rage anymore. But this wasn’t the time, and I couldn’t afford to distract him from the incredibly dangerous and risky path we were about to embark on. All I could do was meet his intense gaze and pat his hand to reassure him.
“I am well. The things that happened here will only make me stronger.”
He opened his mouth to reply hotly, but then one of the others cleared their throats and we were forced to break apart—him reluctantly, me with relief.
It was time. Wrists and ankles chained, my unconscious mate lay on the canvas sling between two poles sturdy enough to be used to carry a horse. Four of my comrades were positioned, one for each corner, and two more, one on each side to give their partners rest when needed.
He looked so vulnerable—asleep and bound in the hands of those he’d name enemy, I wanted to weep. But I wouldn’t leave his side until we made it to the Capitol. And then… when he was awake… then I’d explain.
And I’d pray that he could forgive me.
“Let’s go,” I said quietly.
“Yilan—” Turo started, but I shook my head.
“It’s time,” I said hoarsely. “We need to get well beyond the camp before the sun rises. Remember to keep walking the shadows until your power gives out. It will be impossible not to leave footsteps bearing that kind of weight. So spread the trail as much as possible.”
The men—the biggest and strongest we’d brought on this mission, though each still less than half the weight of Melek—all nodded and leaned down, taking hold of the poles, but not lifting until their leader gave the command.
Turo remained at my side, one hand hovering near my back, though he didn’t touch me, which was a relief.
We watched them together, carrying Melek to the deepest and widest of the shadows at the back of the tent, and when they’d managed to maneuver their large load so that all of him was covered by the dimness, the leader nodded.
“We’re aiming for the twisted tree, thirty feet away. Concentrate.”
The men all nodded, placing one hand each on Melek’s bare arms or legs, and then they began to fade. The process was slower when they carried any burden, but one the size of Melek… I was stunned they were able to do it at all. But they did.
And then, just for a breath, Turo and I were alone.
My stomach dropped when he turned to me and offered his hand. “I will avenge you, Yilan,” he said quietly. Fiercely. “These bastards will pay. You have served your people at cost to yourself and I will not stop fighting until every one of them knows it, and knows they pay the debt for what they did to you.”
I slumped. “Turo, please…”
“You want me to just let them harm you? You expect me to stand by and just… forgive that?”
