Page 89

“Please…” I whispered, but the man only responded by taking another step towards me. I then heard rustling coming from behind him, and two more men appeared, weapons drawn. How many more were there?? But I sucked in a sharp breath as I recognized one of the men that appeared.

Gabriel. The same Gabriel that helped me escape from the Rimorian soldiers in Chatus. Magda’s lover.

“Help me,” I pleaded. It was all I could think to say or do.

Gabriel’s eyes widened as they met mine. He looked like a younger version of the man who was about to fucking behead me. That man took one more step closer and raised his sword, ready to mercilessly kill me for refusing to leave his land. I should have taken his offer to float away with Elias.

“Father, wait!” Gabriel shouted, darting towards the man and grabbing his shoulder. Gabriel’s father turned to him, lowering his sword and staring at his son. “These are the two people who saved Magda and Nadia,” Gabriel asserted.

The man’s brow rose and he turned back to look at me. He glanced back at his son. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Father. I am forever in their debt. Nadia would be dead, and Magda still missing or worse, if not for them.”

Gabriel’s father’s gaze darted between me and his son. “You trust them?” he asked.

“Yes.” Gabriel’s response was stern and factual, and my heart sighed with gratitude.

His father nodded at the confirmation. The man was about to execute me in a heartbeat, but one word from his son and he stopped everything. My father would have finished the kill then asked questions later.

Gabriel’s father turned to the other men that stood around us. “Bring them to the village,” he commanded. “Take them to Willow.”The men followed the command without hesitation, and stepped over to Elias.

Gabriel nearly ran over to me, reaching his hand out to help me up. I took it, but as I stood, I nearly fell into him, exhaustion and pain taking over once again. “It’s alright, Aura,” he said. “You’re safe now.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “Thank you, Gabriel,” I nearly choked. “Elias needs a healer. He’s not well.”

“I can see that,” Gabriel replied, a worried expression on his face as he glanced towards Elias. I looked over at him as well, and watched the other men struggle to pick up his large, muscular body. “Willow is a healer,” Gabriel continued. “A good one. Elias will be in good hands with her.”

I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Thank you,” I said again, and I let Gabriel lead the way, my weight bearing into him. The leader – Gabriel’s father – followed behind us all, protecting us from the rear. I glanced back at him, grateful that he listened to his son without question. I envied the trust between them – the trust between father and child that I wasn’t sure I would ever have with my own father.

It was dark by the time we reached our destination. I had no energy to process where we were. In fact, I could hardly keep my eyes open at all. I barely remembered Magda rushing towards us, gasping my name, or Gabriel placing me onto a bed with Magda’s help.

When I awoke the next morning, I was in a small room with one bed. A cup of tea, freshly brewed and still steaming, was on the bedside table. A fresh pair of clothes was neatly folded next to it. I sat up, and felt something on my neck. I reached a hand up and slid my fingersover what felt like a bandage. I had completely forgotten Volund had twisted the tip of a knife into my neck. Someone had bandaged it up as I slept. I turned and picked up the hot cup of tea and sniffed at it.

“It’s not poison,” a small voice said. “I would know.” I glanced up to see a familiar face peering through the cracked door.

I smiled. “Nadia.”

The young girl pushed the door the rest of the way open and hurried towards me, her long, copper curls bouncing with every step. “Hi, Aura!” she nearly squealed. I placed the hot tea back on the small table, and Nadia immediately hugged me with a tight squeeze.

I winced, expecting my ribs to ache as I gently hugged her back, but they didn’t. “Hello, dear friend.” I said as she pulled away.

Nadia frowned. “Your clothes are wet.” I looked down at myself. She was right, I was still wearing the clothes from yesterday, and they were still very damp.

I picked up the set of clean clothes that were at the table. “Are these for me?”

“Yes!” Nadia sounded chipper again. “Mags brought them for you. She thinks they’ll fit just fine.”

Gratitude overwhelmed me. “And how is your sister? Is she happy? Is she safe?”

“Of course!” Nadia smiled widely. “She and Gabriel are getting married in two months! Can you believe it? They were going to wait a year, but after everything that happened, they didn’t want to wait much longer.”

My heart sighed at the joy of it. “That’s wonderful.”

A different, but familiar voice entered the room. “And it’s all thanks to you and Elias.” I looked up, and saw Magda heading through the doorway, a plate of food in her hands.

I stood, expecting more pain from the movement than what came. A good healer, indeed.

“Magda,” I chimed. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”