Page 79 of The Ember and the Emerald

“I just need to find the water.” And I sensed it… “This way.”

I pumped my arms with more force. We turned a corner—and ground to a halt. King Ahav lay on the bumpy ground, staring up at a crack in the ceiling, where a vein of gold forked and curled into luminous coils. Blood leaked from his mouth.

Jasher crashed into me from behind, and I stumbled forward. I would have fallen, but he slung his arms around me and used his ruined wings as best he could in the confined space to keep us both upright.

“He can’t be dead.” If this was the last loop… He just couldn’t be. An invisible hand reached inside me and squeezed my heart. I tripped over to crouch at his side, then searched for signs of life.

A slight rise and fall of his chest. “He’s alive.”

My elation was short-lived. So many wounds. They peppered his body, as if a monstra had chewed him up and spit out what remained. Even if I cleaned and patched every injury, he probably wouldn’t survive. But I couldn’t clean and patch. No supplies and no time.

“Tell me you have serpens-rosa, Jasher.” Our only hope.

“I do not.” Regret tinged his tone. He maintained his position in the pathway, standing guard.

I swallowed a cry and traced my trembling fingers over the king’s too-cold cheek. “You aren’t supposed to die like this. Please don’t die like this.”

He mumbled something indecipherable under his breath, his head thrashing back and forth.

“Am I responsible for this?” Hot tears brimmed. “Did I make everything worse?” My visions and reality had changed, thanks to my actions. But had those same actions caused this?

“Incoming,” Jasher muttered, and I heard the rhythmic clack of claws pounding against the tunnel’s floor. So many claws. “I can’t carry him out and fight the monstra. He’s dead either way.”

I recoiled inside, hearing his unspoken directive. “No. I can’t leave him. I won’t leave him.”

“Do you wish to die with him?” Jasher asked, matter-of-fact. He remained ready for battle.

My chin quivered. “I’ll be his crutch,” I said, unwavering. Yes, yes. I was a water maiden. An oracle. The Ember! I had reservoirs of strength. I just, I had to try. “Ahav.” Father. “I’m going to stand you up, okay?”

The king opened his eyes, sliding a glassy gaze to me.

Anguish clogged my throat. “Hey, Ahav,” I said softly, petting his jaw. “We can’t stay here. Monstra come.”

He attempted to smile. “Everything will be… all right,” he managed to say between agonized breaths.

And now he comforted me? I offered a wobbly smile in return. “It’s going to hurt, but I need you to work with me, anyway. You can’t die. Understand?”

The monstra drew nearer, releasing streams of fire. I tried, oh, I tried, but Ahav weighed too much, and my so-called reservoirs were already empty.

Jasher blocked the flames with his wings. “Too late to escape.”

The battle was on. Roars ebbed and flowed along with grunts and groans. At any other time, I might have enjoyed sitting back and watching him do battle. His skill was unsurpassed. His speed, a marvel. His strength, a revelation, even in his weakened and broken state. But this was life and death for us all.

“Help me stand you up, Ahav. Please.” The tears streaked down my cheek. As I strained, trying to lift his weight, droplets splashed his cheek, making it look as if he cried too.

“It’s…all…right,” he breathed, volume waning with each word. His head lolled to the side, his gaze fixing on nothing.

No, no, no. I shattered. Head bowed, shoulders rolling in, I sobbed. My whole body shook. But, um, hmm. My tears glowed, catching fire from within and sparkling with flecks of green. That green absorbed into his skin.

What in the world?

He arched his back and bellowed an inhuman sound. I trembled, unsure what to do or how to help. Then a bright pulse flared from his body and swept through the enclosure.

The monstra collapsed. All but Jasher, who stood protected and protective, claws flared and dripping crimson.

“What just happened?” he demanded.

The Ember? “I don’t know.”