Page 68

Horano groaned as he rolled off Rihanna. His face twisted in a painful grimace. As he reached up, she gasped when she saw the hilt of the dagger protruding from his shoulder right before he yanked the blade from his body. Blood rushed from the open wound, soaking through his shirt far too fast for a Fae.

The free-flowing crimson broke her momentary paralysis.

“Horano, Moira…the baby…”

She climbed over Moira’s curled figure, easing her onto her back. Horano’s glazed gaze moved from Moira’s face to the saturated fabric of her pants. “Where’s Shaye?”

“Thierry has gone for him. I sent him when I came through.” He crawled over to Moira, his arm buckling beneath his weight. Rihanna caught him before he pitched forward. “Goddess.” He shook his head, cupping the base of Moira’s belly. “Bloody hell, she’s hemorrhaging.” His hand moved upward in a quick assessment, flickering white magic pulsing between his fingers. His face paled, his eyes glistening. “Sweet Goddess, the damage.”

“The baby?” Rihanna lifted Moira’s shirt away from her belly, which moved viciously against Terrek’s fight. “What of Terrek?”

“He’s in danger.” Horano sucked in a deep breath, resolve hardening his features. “Whatever magic you have, Rihanna, use it to calm him and try to heal her womb. Goddess, keep her placenta attached.”

Horano stumbled to his feet, holding his bleeding shoulder as he hurried to the door. He yelled for Aspen and Killeny, who appeared almost instantly. Rihanna focused all her might on her magic, pulsing warmth and calm into Moira’s belly, into Terrek. She bit back a sob that squeezed up her throat as she felt for herself the damage to Moira’s womb.

Terrek wouldn’t survive. Not if they didn’t do something quickly.

And Moira…

“Stay with me,mo dheirfiúr.You must stay with me,” she urged quietly.

Aspen dropped beside her and began murmuring an ancient Gaelic healing chant that acted as a lullaby forMoira’s unborn child. When her cousin met her gaze, she saw her fear and grief reflected in the other woman’s face.

“Daeanna. She’s back,” Rihanna struggled to say. Aspen swiped a tear from her cheek, not once interrupting her chant.

“Can ye help get her on the bed?” Killeny asked. Of all of them, she was the most composed.

“Yes.”

Rihanna threw a glance over her shoulder, her eyes widening when she caught sight of Bryce running toward her. His green eyes expressed a multitude of emotions, but his face remained steely.

“We mustn’t interrupt Rihanna or Aspen,” Horano said, positioning himself at Moira’s head. “Rihanna’s magic is keeping Terrek and Moira alive.”

“You’re injured. I’ll get her head. I can support her better,” Bryce said, taking the lead as he motioned for Horano to take Moira’s feet. Horano didn’t argue, but the sense of failure Rihanna caught from his essence struck her hard. He’d sworn his life to protect Moira, and Moira’s life hung in the balance. As Bryce supported Moira’s torso, he met Horano’s gaze. “On three.”

Rihanna continued to weave her magic as they moved Moira carefully to the bed and laid her down. Killeny had returned with her husband and a few guests, carrying water basins, linens, and salves into the room.

Horano climbed onto the bed and pressed an opaque stone to Moira’s forehead. “Chroi, you mustn’t give in to the darkness. Awaken.” He snapped his gaze to Rihanna. “Where’s her potion?”

Rihanna glanced around the room. “I’m not certain. Shaye would know.”

“We don’t havetime.” Desperation edged Horano’s voice, a desperation that resonated in her mind. Aspen’s chantinggrew louder. Killeny and their family and friends began cleaning Moira’s wounds while Killeny worked to heal what she could. “Moira, follow my voice. Listen to my voice. You must return to us. Chase needs you. Terrek needs you. Be strong. Just a little longer, be strong until we can give you the potion.” He winced. “Please,chroi. Please.”

Killeny nudged Rihanna. “Go. You drain yourself dry, cousin. I’ll take over.”

As Rihanna sat back on her heels, the dire situation finally crashed down on her shoulders. The coppery scent of blood filled the air, staining her clothes, her skin. Moira’s blood. Terrek’s blood.

The sob finally dislodged.

Horano frowned, his eyes misted with fresh tears. He gave a slight shake of his head.

But it was Bryce who gave her the hope she desperately needed to hang on to. As he folded her in his arms, leading her, shaking and sobbing, away from the bed, he murmured, “Have hope, little bird. Death can’t conquer love.”

26

“Do share your thoughts with me, Shaye. You’ve been disturbingly quiet this eve, considering ’twas your request for my attention,” Dagda said, casually stroking his chin with his index finger. He wore an amused grin that didn’t suit Shaye’s mood, but given the ridiculousness of what was transpiring among the High Fae, he couldn’t disagree with Dagda’s reaction.

If he weren’t about to face the task of a lifetime, he might find humor in the bickering between Council members, too.