Page 70 of Blackheart

“Just do it,” I said bitterly. I would not cower or allow myself to get queasy.

Riven delicately grabbed my arm and pressed it against my body, like it was something he had done before. I squeezed myeyes shut through the roaring pain as he wrapped the fabric, securing the injury.

Pain was no stranger, so through it, I endured. Riven tied a final knot as I gritted my teeth, then finally backed away.

The day had been absolute shit, and I was ready to be done traveling for good.

“Let’s just hurry up and get to the port already,” I mumbled.

Riven eyed me. “We can take a break first.”

It wasn’t much of a suggestion, as he was already pulling out a smoke.

I frowned.

“I don’t want a break, or to be in this goddamn forest anymore. I don’t wantanyof this. All I’ve ever wanted was a simple life. A home, freedom, children, food. Nothing crazy, but no. I get two shithead brothers who have all of the resources in the world but leave this wretched task to me!”

He took a drag. “Hm.”

“What?” I snapped.

He leaned against a tree, tilting his head to the sky and huffing a laugh. His dimple flashed.

“The sister of not one, but two rulers, just wantscomfort,” he said curiously.

It did sound strange when he worded it that way, but Clarke wouldn’t be a ruler soon. He would be dead. His wife, Delaina, who sounded more and more like a miserable wretch, would be the ruler of Drakington.

As for Xavian Steele, he had better have something amazing to say after I crossed the Sea of Blades to bring him his deed. Otherwise, he would be no brother to me.

“I want to be done with this.”

Riven finished his smoke and offered to help me up, but I didn’t want or need it. I pushed on by myself, wincing andcursing as I trudged through the terrain, cradling my broken bone.

We made it less than an hour before Riven motioned for me to stop.

I stilled, carefully waiting. The trees rustled just ‌ahead.

Riven took us another way. I wanted to ask if it would delay our arrival, but I stayed quiet.

A faint whistle flew over our heads.

A gold arrow struck the bark of a tree, narrowly missing us.

“Rogue Drakers?” I whispered.

Riven grabbed his bow. “No. Real Drakers.Run.”

“Runwhere?” My heart stammered. “I’ll get lost on my own.”

Another fast-moving hiss came towards us, and I turned on my heels.

I cried out, collapsing to the ground onto my broken arm.

With rage in his eyes, Riven rushed to my side.

An arrow was lodged in the back of my leg just like before, but this time it had not gone clean through.

“You’re worse than a training target,” Riven mumbled. “I’m pulling this out. We have to move.”