Page 116 of Esperance

The pain was excruciating. As it passed into her, her magic burned away the damage. She felt the pain, but she didn’t have to bear the injury. Still, healing came with a cost. According to her mother, she could take on too much, and the draw upon her energy would be too great. Her body would fail, and she would die.

Her mother’s caution rang in her ears when Ivan’s heart started to beat more strongly, and Amryn’s stuttered. Her vision hazed.

She needed to stop. The fatal damage in Ivan’s wound had been healed.

Somewhere, in the back of her awareness, something hummed. Beckoned.

She ignored that and released her healing hold. Her lungs strained, and she couldn’t stop her gasp of pain.

Ivan blinked up at her, his eyes growing sharper. Confusion wafted from him. “What . . .?”

She pulled back her shaking hands, which were covered in blood. Fatigue dragged at her shoulders, and her breathing was thready.

The last thing she heard was Ford’s frantic shout as she went down.

Chapter 30

Carver

Carver shoved blades into his belt,which he’d demanded from one of the Esperance guards. He was finally in dry clothing, but frustration throbbed inside him.

Amryn had been missing since morning, and it was full dark out there now.

He and Argent had followed Amryn’s trail until the rain had washed out every sign. They’d found shelter and stayed until the worst of the storm had passed, and then they’d had to make their way back to the camp at the foot of the mountain. They needed reinforcements if they were going to conduct a thorough search of Zawri.

Leaving the mountain had felt like leaving Amryn. Carver had hated every step. He’d hoped that, somehow, Amryn would be safe at the camp.

She wasn’t. Not only that, Ivan was also missing.

Standing in the main tent of the camp, Carver tried to ignore the heated argument happening behind him as he secured his weapons.

“It’s too dark,” the high cleric said. “There’s no point in sending out a search party now.”

“We’ll bring lanterns,” Argent said. “We can’t leave Amryn and Ivan out there overnight. Ivan went back out there to find Samuel and Sadia, but they came back without him. The Saints only know what might have happened to him.”

“And if another storm strikes?” Zacharias challenged. “Or some animal attacks? I cannot endanger any of you further. You must all remain in the camp.”

“We’ve already been endangered. Darrin isdead.” Argent’s tone deepened. “I know you worry about your standing with my grandfather, Zacharias. But we need to find Amryn and Ivan. I think that should be a personal priority of yours.”

The high cleric flushed. “You can’t blame me. This was—it was a deliberate attack! And the storms were an act of the Divinities.”

“Yes. But Icanblame you if you keep trying to stop us. And, trust me, Iwill.”

Zacharias threw his hands up. “I’m not trying tostopyou, I’m trying toprotectyou! There’s no point going out there tonight, especially when doing so limits the guards here. We can’t leave the camp undefended. What if those attackers are still out there?”

“You’ll be fine,” Argent said. “Give swords to Rivard and Samuel, and stay here. In the morning, head back to Esperance.”

“Your Highness, I can’t let you go out there. Your life is worth too much, and you were injured this morning!”

Argent drew up to his full height. “This isn’t a debate, Zacharias. We’re conducting a search for Amryn and Ivan, and I’m going. There is no discussion.”

That got Carver’s attention. He twisted to face his friend. “You’re not going back out there.”

Argent’s voice was edged with steel. “I’m the bloody crown prince of the Craethen Empire. You do not command me. I’m coming with you.”

“This is all pointless anyway,” the high cleric muttered. “They’re probably dead.”

Carver stiffened. “You’d better pray they aren’t, Cleric.”