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It’s terror forme.

A hint of warmth flashes through my chest, but there’s no time to bask in the smug certainty that this woman cares for my safety. Not when the dark shadow is almost on me.

I pull my sword, bracing for impact.

Madinia

My knees quake, terror shredding my insides.

Calysian is going to die.

Wings explode into my vision. Wings so massive, they stir the air. A deafeningscreechpierces the swamp, the sound so sharp, the serpent darts away, its body coiling down, disappearing into the depths of the water.

I stumble back, slamming into Fox.

Talons rake through the water, throwing up a spray of mud and reeds. The wings are larger than any I’ve ever seen, each feather sharp-edged and glinting like a poised blade.

Its hooked beak snaps at the air, and it lets out one more victorious screech.

“You have the most interesting timing,” Calysian says.

The mammoth bird lands next to me. “That’s a strange way of saying thank you.”

Eamonn.

A heavy weight lifts from my chest and I crouch down, looking him in the eye. “Thank you.”

Calysian keeps a wary gaze on the water as he makes his way to firmer ground. “I appreciate the help.”

“I can’t hold this form for long.” A blink of the eye, and Eamonn is a tiny gray bird. “The larger the form, the more energy it takes.” He darts into the air, wings beating as he flies away.

Calysian begins checking Fox for injuries, and I do the same, gently running my hands down each of Hope’s legs. But my mind remains on Eamonn.

“You don’t think it’s strange that he keeps showing up to help you?”

“He has done so since I crossed into this continent after leaving Eprotha.”

“Why?”

Calysian is quiet for a long moment. “Eamonn never talks about his past. All I can determine is that he was cursed to never use a human form.”

Just as Calysian was cursed to roam without his power. Without his memories.

I suppose it makes sense that the two would become friends.

“We need to find somewhere to camp.” Untying Fox’s lead rope, Calysian begins walking him along the narrow path, pants sticking to his legs, water pouring from his boots.

I keep a careful eye on the water surrounding us as I follow with Hope. And all I can see is the grim resignation on Calysian’s face as he reached for his sword just minutes ago.

“I thought you were going to die.” The words are out before I can clamp down on them.

Calysian stops, ignoring Fox’s displeased snort as he turns to face me. “I’m hard to kill.”

“Something tells me that serpent could have done it.” I’m suddenly so tired, my limbs heavy with exhaustion. And the thought of him dead… “Stay alive, Calysian.”

His expression turns almost tender. “Would you mourn me, sweetheart?”

I level him with a hard stare. “No. If you left me alone in this place, I would curse your name and spit on your corpse.”