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Chapter Forty-Nine

Jasce

Reeve’s shadowy flames wrap around us as we move through the camp like ghosts.

Flickering torchlight spills across the camp in writhing scarlet ribbons, but we stay hidden in the shadows, passing row after row of tents, tethered horses, and supply wagons.

My heart pounds when at last we reach Annora’s tent. I duck inside first, followed closely by Reeve, who takes up position near the entrance as I move to where Annora lies curled on her side, her hands tucked beneath her head.

An overwhelming urge to gather her into my arms nearly knocks me over—to shield her from everything and anything that would dare harm her again.

More than that, I want to give her back the freedom to just be herself.

To sketch without fear, to laugh without restraint, to wield her magic as she chooses.

“Annora, wake up.”

Her dark lashes flutter against her cheeks as her eyes slowly slide open. Recognition hits her fully, and her eyes fly wide, lips parting in a silent gasp. Before she can speak, I sweep her into my arms, crushing her against my chest.

Her fingers curl into the front of my surcoat, gripping the fabric, as though she fears I’ll disappear.

“You’re really here,” she whispers.

“I told you to trust me.” My voice comes out rough, choked with emotion. “I will always come for you. No matter what happens or where you are, I will find you.”

Her fingers tighten against my surcoat. “You have to leave. If they find you here—”

“—shh. Everything’s taken care of.”

“But Alek…” She pulls back, her eyes darting to the tent entrance. “…he’ll know. He always knows when I—”

“—it’s already dealt with.” I catch her chin between my thumb and forefinger, forcing her gaze back to mine. “Reeve and Jude helped me get him out of camp.”

Her breath catches. “What?”

“Reeve used his shadowfire magic.” I nod to where Reeve stands guard. “And now, it will shield us as we leave. No one will see us.”

Fear sparks in her eyes as she shakes her head.

Reeve steps closer. “My shadowfire flames will hide us. But we need to move.”

I help Annora to her feet, steadying her when she sways.

“Pack light,” I say. “Only what you need.”

She hurries through the tent, gathering a few items into a small satchel—her sketchbook, some charcoal, a change of clothes.

When she turns back to me, her lower lip trembles, and her eyes dart back and forth, as if she expects Aleksander to burst into the tent.

My chest constricts. This isn’t my fierce, determined Annora. Aleksander has stripped away her fire, leaving behind a shell of the woman I married.

I cross to her in two strides and cup her face in my hands. “Look at me, love.” When she meets my stare, I brush my thumbs across her cheekbones. “You’re coming home where no one can use you or hurt you ever again.”

Her fingers curl around my wrists, holding on. “But the bond—”

“—we’ll figure it out.”

“We need to move,” Reeve warns from the entrance.

I wrap my arm around Annora’s shoulders, drawing her close against my side, and nod at Reeve.

His shadowfire coils around us as we slip from Annora’s tent. Her fingers dig into my surcoat when we pass near a guard, but Reeve’s magic keeps us hidden in the writhing shadows.

The horses wait just beyond the camp’s edge, tethered in a small copse of trees.

“Up you go.” I cup my hands to boost Annora onto the mare.

Once she’s settled, I swing onto my horse.

Reeve maintains the shadowfire shield as we pick our way through the trees. Only when we’re clear of the camp does he let the magic fade.

Thankfully, the night remains still, except for our horses’ hoofbeats and the whisper of wind.

Soon, I’ll have answers for everything my brother has done, but for now, I focus on Annora.