Page 155 of Ashborne Phoenix

“We’re under orders from the queen. Step back, sir.”

What the fuck?

I froze, gaping, as one of the men stepped between Gil and me. Gil bristled, shoving as they walked him backward. But when I tried to step in, two others I hadn’t noticed put themselves at my sides and clamped hands to my arms, while the first guards warned Gil off until he reluctantly submitted.

“Come with us.”

Absolutely fucking not. “My mate is—”

“The queen’s orders, Voski. Sorry,” one of the men said apologetically—but with no room for argument. He knew my name? I stared at him, certain I should know him, and I should explain. I needed to fight. Grace was disappearing. The healers carrying her had turned the corner. I couldn’t see her.

“Let me go!” I swelled. My whole body shaking. But another guard stepped in front of me, jaw tight and shaking his head. He held a spear gripped in both hands and poised for use, and the warning in his eyes was clear. He was under orders, and if I didn’t obey, the butt of that weapon would crack my temple faster than I could move.

I’d never resisted the royals. Never walked away from an order.

But Grace…

A shudder rocked through me.

“Vos, don’t worry,” Gil’s voice rose behind me. He was scrambling. “Donavyn knows. He’ll handle it. Just go. I’ll follow Terra and I’ll find you. I’ll bring word—just go. Don’t fight, brother. Please.”

I couldn’t take it in, couldn’t quite fathom. When the guards dragged me forward, the third leading us, marching through the castle in a different direction than they’d taken Grace, it was surreal.

What if she died? What if she woke up in pain, and I wasn’t there?

No.

I took two more steps, then yanked on one arm, twisting, and broke the guard’s grip. He shouted as I turned to shift my weight to do the same to the second. But before I could twist hard enough to free myself, a voice muttered, “For fuck’s sake, Voski.”

A shadow moved. Something cracked against my head. And the world went dark.

When I came to, low voices murmured nearby, both male and female. The room was dim, but bright points of light at the corners made my head scream when I opened my eyes. I slammed them closed again, groaning, and clutched at my head.

There was a tender spot on the right, over my ear.

The voices stopped for a moment. Quiet footsteps approached, along with the rustle of clothing. I squinted, attempting to open my eyes—I needed to find the adversary!—but I recognized the voice before I could get my eyes open enough to see without pain.

“Just relax, son. You’re safe. You’re a pain in the ass, but you’re safe.”

Donavyn. The General. My squad sister’s mate. And the man who’d removed my pin.

I clenched my teeth, clawed fingers into my hair, pleading with my body to respond, and swore when I couldn’t even open my eyes beyond halfway.

“Your Furyknights are always so… colorful.” It was the queen’s voice—unimpressed, but vaguely amused.

I grimaced and covered my eyes with my hands, leaning up, trying to sit, though the world lurched alarmingly.

“Where am I? What’s happened to Grace?” I hushed. My tongue felt thick, and I was nauseated. But the spinning eased as I breathed through my mouth and slowly allowed more light between my fingers so I could see the lush carpet under my boots, and…

Oh God, there’s blood on my leathers. Grace’s blood—

“Just take a moment. Find your feet, Voski,” Donavyn said gruffly. “You put up a fight, and we couldn’t risk attracting attention, so they had orders to subdue you. Nothing’s broken. But you’ll have a headache for a couple days.”

I swallowed and felt the ache behind my ear. I rolled my head slowly on my neck, but winced and stopped quickly because the room started spinning again.

“Grace,” I muttered. “I have to get to her.”

“She’s being treated, and they’re under orders to retrieve us immediately if there’s any significant change,” Donavyn said flatly.