Page 141 of Elysian

“First we rest, bondmate. Then more bloodshed.” His palm pressed on my belly, thumb rubbing into me comfortingly. I did not have to guess what he meant. The rest of the council still remained, and that could not be.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Vengeance

The shack leading to the Resistance stronghold no longer existed. In its place was a burned pile of ash. Abrax approached, his hooves crunching burned stalks.

“Your Highness,” Morak called, jogging over. His arms were dusted with thick char. He grabbed Abrax’s reins.

Cassiel dismounted and plucked me off the horse, cradling me close. He had not stopped lightly caressing me, but as much as it soothed me, I forced myself awake.

“I am glad you are well,” Morak said to me.

“Me too,” I responded. “Is everyone else okay?”

His lips tensed. With my question, an image of Lucinda being run through surfaced.

“Lucinda. Vaner stabbed her.” My voice faltered.

He nodded sadly. “She told me what had been done to you with her final breath. Vera, Branwen, and Tabby prepared her for travel to the Kingdom. They thought you would want her rites read there.”

“How long has it been since the attack?” I asked.

“Four dawnlight rotations.” He eyed my face. “Does this mean Vaner is dead?” He seemed to hold his breath, waiting for an answer.

“Yes.” I lifted my chin. Satisfaction glinted in his eyes, and he patted the side of Abrax’s neck. “And here? Were there many deaths?”

“Fewer than what it could have been. They were trying to take all the redblood children, so they did not harm them. They were not expecting two other Warlords present. Liadan and Jude dispatched all the officers, and the rest ran like cowards.” His voice was filled with satisfaction.

“There is another issue with The Barren,” I said.

“The final threshold to Oro has closed.” Morak nodded. “Swarms of Hollow attacks ramped up when the previous thresholds sealed. One of our people that lived in a nearby village came for asylum when the Hollow attacks began.” Morak tipped his head to me. “I will take the horse. Go and rest.” He eyed my torn dress and blood-stained frock. “You have earned it.”

The heaviness on my eyelids could no longer be ignored. A yawn escaped. Cassiel frowned at me and strode past Morak.

“Wait.” I smacked his shoulder.

“You require rest.”

“Where is Tabby?” I called back.

“She is taking her rest after her turn discarding debris,” Morak called.

I waved my thanks and sank into Cassiel’s arms. The weight was too heavy, so I let my eyes shut. Now that I knew there were not so many friends to mourn, I could shut off for just a bit. I must have dozed, because the next thing I knew, the bed creaked as Cassiel settled me on it.

“Rest, sweet bondmate,” Cassiel whispered against my ear.

I lay against him as if I could melt into him.

“Do not be angry with me.” His words came through my sleep-fogged mind.

I hummed, tucking closer to him, so terribly exhausted. The rest of his words faded.

I slid my hand across the fur, searching for Cassiel. Empty fur greeted my palm.

I jolted upright. Soreness stilled me. I groaned, rolling my shoulders. The place where I usually felt Cassiel was empty. A hollow sensation thrummed through my breastbone. Simply with that I knew he was nowhere near here.

Rolling onto my feet, I found myself nude. I gasped, searching for a gown. The scent of lavan told me Cassiel had bathed me as I slept. Snippets of warm water lapping, and the lulling rubs of his large hands filled my memory.