Page 150 of Ashborne Phoenix

Grace was wounded, the magik could fail during our days of travel, and I wasn’t to be welcomed back at the Keep.

I knew Kham could reach Kgosi, or Runar, Gil’s dragon. But how would I be received?

I shook the nerves off. It didn’t matter, as long as they helped Grace. And they would help Grace. She was Flameborne. And the Queen would receive her because her betrothed was dead. She was mine now.

Mate.

Wife.

My breath caught and Grace felt it.

As Hanson peppered me with details, and Grace reassured him, half my mind was on the plan to get home. I had to get word to Gil and Donavyn—make certain Terra was there with a team, ready to help Grace the moment we landed—even if they put me back in chains.

I was barely aware of the farewells to Hanson. I was too busy ushering him out, reassuring him that we would be quick, and waiting the moments it would take him to stride down the hallway, before calling Jade back into the suite.

She’d remained in that seat across the hall.

I wasn’t sure whether to be impressed with her commitment, or wary of her motives.

But I had no choice. I needed help. I couldn’t leave Grace alone during our travels. Yet, I would have to hunt and gather wood for fires…

Besides, having another person along would mean one more avenue by which we could retrieve food or medicines without being recognized.

The moment Jade stepped into the room, she swept over to the couch and knelt at Grace’s side. “My lady—how can I help?”

“It’s me you’ll need to speak with, Jade,” I said firmly.

The woman straightened immediately and turned to face me, Grace leaning past her on the couch and leveling me with a warning look.

I cleared my throat. “My lady believes that you were both loyal and attentive to her during her time with Breckon. If you haven’t gathered, your lord is no longer with us. As such, your employment with his house is… uncertain. I’d like to know if you’d be willing to travel with us, under my protection. Once we reach Vosgaarde, your employ would no longer be needed. However if you continue to serve well, I would give you a reference for working in the castle, or a merchant in the city if you prefer. Would you like that?”

Her jaw dropped. She looked over her shoulder to catch eyes with Grace, who beamed and nodded.

“Yes, my lord.” She bobbed a curtsey. “I would be most—”

“Before you agree,” I said dryly, “tell me how you feel about heights?”

Jade’s eyes widened.

Out of the Light

~ GRACE ~

The hours that followed were a blur. A nervous, but clearly hopeful Jade rushed to prepare bags for us. Voski refused to let me move from the couch. He hovered protectively while speaking with messengers, organizing assistance, and preparing me for the travel.

I felt strange. There was no pain, and at times I became frustrated with Voski’s insistence that I not even move from my seat until it was time to go.

And yet… something was wrong. I trembled. My limbs were weak. I wasn’t hungry, despite not eating since the evening before. And an intense weariness hit me in waves. The moment the room was quiet, my eyes dragged closed against my will.

In the hour before we moved from that suite, I was woken more than once, having dozed off when my mind drifted. And each time, I caught Voski frowning, his eyes shadowed as he examined me, even if he were across the room speaking with one of the messengers.

Then it was almost time to go. Jade brought flight leathers to keep me warm. Voski insisted on being the one to dress me—and he examined the wound while I was undressed.

Of course, there was no change. “It’s been an hour. There’s no pain. Surely, I would feel something if it were going wrong?” I asked him after he straightened from kneeling before me, helping me put my feet into the trousers.

“I don’t know,” he said quietly. When he straightened he stood over me, pulled my shirt and jacket closed, and insisted on helping with the buttons.

I finally took his hands and stopped him, forcing him to look at me.