Page 175 of Of Masks and Fury

Together we half-carried, half-dragged Trew to where they’d laid out bedrolls near the fire circle. The area appeared surprisingly undisturbed, maybe because she’d chosen a location beneath a cluster of scruffy trees and the battle took place out in the open.

Trew roused enough to help, but his movements were sluggish, uncoordinated. The moment we laid him down, his eyes closed again.

While Kerralyn got the fire going, Gavelle and Pherin dragged the carcasses to one side of the open area. I knelt beside Trew, holding his hand. His fingers twitched in my grip, but he didn’t squeeze back.

“Talk to him,” Kerralyn said. “Even if he doesn’t respond, he’ll hear you. It’ll help him focus on something other than the pain.”

She left to patrol with the others, leaving me alone with Trew and our companions.

I didn’t know what to say. Every word that came to mind felt inadequate when compared to the reality of seeing him broken and bleeding. I held his hand and watched his chest rise and fall, counting each breath, hoping it wouldn’t be his last.

“I am done pretending I could survive you, so you’ve got to get better.” I leaned close, kissing his cheek. “You hear me?”

Pherin settled nearby, her gaze sweeping the area. Gavelle didn’t move from Trew’s other side.

“Breathe. That’s all you have to do. I’ll do everything else.”

The fire crackled. The wasteland stretched out beyond our wards, dark and corrupted. And somewhere in that darkness, more of those creatures could be stalking this way.

Had the controllers sent them? They may already know we were here. The wasteland could’ve told them.

The thought kindled rage in my chest, hungry for retribution.

Trew’s fingers twitched in mine. This time, they curled around my hand, holding on.

“Isi.” My name was barely a whisper on his lips.

“I’m here.” I leaned closer, stroking his forehead. “I’m right here.”

“You’re safe?” His eyes opened to slits, gold gleaming in the firelight.

My throat closed. Of course that’s what he’d ask. Even now, wounded and exhausted, his first concern was for me.

“I am,” I said. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” His eyes closed again, but his grip on my hand tightened. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

“I won’t.” The words came out fierce. “I’m not going anywhere. You rest while I hold the world together.”

His breathing evened out, falling into the rhythm of sleep, but his hand stayed wrapped around mine.

I sat in the firelight, watching him sleep, and made promises to every fate that would listen.

We’d find whoever sent those creatures. We’d destroy them. And then we’d burn this entire wasteland to ash.

But first, Trew had to survive the night.

I tightened my grip on his hand and settled in to wait.

Derren burst back into the firelight, his sword drawn, grim determination etched across his face. “More coming.” He pointed toward the darkness beyond the firelight. “Get ready.”

My heart stuttered. I looked down at Trew, still unconscious, his breathing shallow. Moving him would tear open his wounds. Staying here meant certain death.

There truly was no choice.

“The dragons,” I barked. “We’ll fly. I’ll hold Trew.”

“They’re patrolling outside the area.” Kerralyn’s attention shot to the sky. “If they don’t get back in time…”