Page 257 of Vasmora

“And what difference will two, or three, more make?”

“More to watch your back and defend.”

“Or slow me down.” Along the corridor to the bed chambers, he ground to a halt and spun around so fast, I nearly ran into him. “I just got you back. I’m not losing you again.” He turned back on his path. “One slip. One small mistake. That’s all it’d take.”

Protecting me again. And while I could appreciate why, his concern over me, like I was a fragile vase he longed to keep locked in a curio cabinet, irked me.

Grinding my teeth, I threw my hand out before my mind could summon the whip. One quick snap of the bones snuffed the candle a few feet ahead of him, and Zevander froze.

A look of utter shock twisted his expression when he slowly turned around.

Breath trembled out of me. The reaction had taken me by surprise, as well. “I’m coming with you. I’m not asking.”

“When did you learn to do that?” he asked, tipping his head as he stepped toward me.

“I actually aimed for your head.”

His lips twitched, and had we not been pressed for time, he might’ve laughed, the way his eyes crinkled. “Fine. But you need to promise me something, moon witch.”

“What?”

“That you will do everything in your power to stay alive.”

“You’re asking Death to live?”

“Yeah. I guess I am.”

I shrugged. “Deal.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

MAEVYTH

The high-pitched sound rose up from my throat as a delicate trill. Perhaps more melodic than it’d ever sounded before. Darkness surrounded me, the chill of late winter clashing with my breath in white mists, as I stood on Eidolon’s sloping stretch of yard.

Beside me, Adira awaited her mount, while the others readied their horses for the trek.

A guttural caw answered my whistle, and I lifted my gaze skyward, toward where a flock of ravens soared toward me, merging together in the form of my colossal Corvugon. Behind him, two more clusters of ravens formed Achlys and Viatrix, all three of them majestic, their pitch-black forms hovering beneath the clouds like gaping voids in the sky.

Raivox thundered down on a rough tremor that shook the ground beneath my feet and let out a chuff. His companions landed not far from him, and Viatrix began casually pruning his feathers.

“The sky will be safer,” Zevander said beside me. “If the mutations attack, don’t try to land unless you have to.”

“Got it.” My heart pounded with urgency, the need to find Rykaia and Branimir making every second feel like an eternity. “Let’s not waste any more time.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

“Good.” I turned to mount Raivox, but feeling a tug on my arm, I twisted around just as Zevander’s lips found mine.

“Be careful,” he said against my mouth and kissed me again.

“Be careful yourself.”

He gave a squeeze of my arm and strode off toward his horse.

Claws digging into scales, I climbed up Raivox’s front leg and seated myself.

Already atop Achlys, Adira flexed her hand and gave me a nod as she gripped her Corvugon’s horn.