Page 38 of The Ashborn

The woodcarver’s breath came in shallow spurts, a rasp between exhales. He winced and closed his eyes. “Please, girl,” he said, opening his eyes again as the wildness returned to the brown irises. The whites were tinted yellow. “I’d rather drink.”

Kienna held his hands. He startled from her touch, but she could tell his body was in too much pain to fight back. He started to cry, burying his head in his knees.

Kienna turned back to Tislin. “Can a healer take this away? The constant need for drinking?”

Tislin clasped his hands in front of him. “They can ease the pain, maybe lessen the side effects, but the will to stop drinking—that must come from him.”

Would he stop drinking? He wasn’t attached enough to Kienna to bet his own life on her. In fact, Kienna was sure he still hated her. “Listen, old man.” She leaned forward, tugging his head forcefully. “I know you don’t give a shit about me, but for some reason, I give a shit about you. So, you’re going to stop drinking, and I’ll get someone to take away the effects.”

“You’re not my boss.” He sounded like a child. Kienna almost wanted to laugh.

“Would your children want this?”

“I’ve failed my children in more ways than you can count.” Calder clutched Kienna.

Tislin stepped forward, but Kienna held her hand out to stop him. She steadied her gaze on Calder. “Pretend I’m your daughter. Look at me every day and see her face instead of mine if you must. And make the choice to stop failing her.”

Calder’s brows knitted together furiously before they subsided. He nodded, then winced again. “Fine,” he spat, and Kienna couldn’t believe her words worked. “The sooner the better, girl. I’m a weak man. And where’s my damn cat?”

Kienna sighed. “I’ll get your cat.” She winced at her next thought. She needed a skilled healer. “And I’ll talk to Connak.”

She stood, meeting Tislin’s stare, aware of what this deal required. She gave the Shadowmaster a nod, preparing herself to let her own shadows in before calling Connak’s mind to hers.

Chapter 15

—Connak—

Danek swung from the trees with two of Connak’s Blades—Lazrin and Pharen. They were twins, an uncommon occurrence in the Elvish community, which was why the Still Court of Silverthorne sent them to join the Trinity armies. They were considered a blunder to the Elvish bloodline. Connak kept this knowledge to himself. The Still Court struck a sore spot with his soldiers—most of the soldiers fighting in Trinity. Besides, Connak wasn’t supposed to know about the Still Court. Along with the second hidden city of Silverthorne, the Still Court served as another myth in the ever-winding web of Elvish history.

Danek zoomed over him with speed, something he’d never been able to do before. Connak smirked as the Malintale glowed with blue glyphs in recognition of their new Brother of the Blades. He belonged here. They all did. The Malintale was a wild forest, untamed. It needed people like the Blades to tend it. While they did this, Connak carved another rune to indicate a new path. His mind drifted to Kienna. She’d love to care for the Malintale. He almost wished she’d join his forces as well. Then, he’d have everything he needed, but Tristian wouldn’t allow it. It would be a waste of his breath to fight with the High Commander about it. Kienna had to stay close. It was their agreement after all.

A familiar tug pulled Connak’s mind. “I didn’t think you’d talk to me after last night.” Kienna appeared in front of him. He hated seeing the dark circles under her eyes.

“I didn’t think so either. Tislin has since convinced me.”

Connak exhaled a laugh. “He’s a good man.”

Kienna studied the Malintale, taking in the fresh forest like it was restoration from being in Dove Port for so long. After examining the glyphs, she slid against the tree and sat. Connak cozied up next to her, smiling as his shoulders brushed hers. He let the silence overtake them for a while. Kienna dipped her head against the tree and closed her eyes, desperately needing sleep. He wondered if she’d let him ease her into it, but something told him she wasn’t here to rest and sit in solitude.

A breath escaped her lips, then she looked to Connak. “Can you heal Calder—the woodcarver?”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s a drunk.”

“We can’t heal habits. That’s a mental ailment, and if the Eternal Mother gave us that ability, we probably would have ended the war before it started.” Connak thought about how easy it would have been to capture Vaerin when his madness started engulfing him. If they could heal his mind, he wouldn’t have done this. Granted, the Elvish didn’t care about Vaerin until it was too late. They wouldn’t even heal his physical disease.

“He said he’d quit, but he can’t survive the detox. His eyes are yellow. He only stands a chance if we help him through this part.”

“And you want him to have a chance?” Connak raised his brow. Above him, Danek rustled again. He glanced up to make sure he was still ahead of Lazrin and Pharen. Connak needed him to be fast. “What do you know about this man?”

Kienna focused on her hands, riddled with pulled skin and sores. He was going to send a healer regardless because she had asked for it. He would do anything she asked, but her own ailments concerned him. He reached for her hand, covering it with his. “I’ll send Danek tonight. He’ll heal these first.”

“I thought the war in Dalelry would be the worst of my nightmares,” she said, voice almost a whisper. “It’s still River Storm. Every night, it’s shadows from the dungeons and images of Maren and Jacob dying. Or the woman whose head Dren cut off. I’m terrified of what’s coming next.”

“You pull me into them, you know?” Connak tightened his grip around her hand, letting her warmth flow into his body. “When are you going to let me help you? You don’t have to be afraid of the King of River Storm forever.”

“I’m honestly waiting for him to die.” She laughed as if she had meant it to be a joke, but Connak knew better. The king’s clutch remained deep within her, within her magic and her family. He’d kill the king himself to ease her turmoil, but all he could do was make her stronger and set her up to take on the world.