Thirty Samkiel

A flash of jet-black fur and Dianna was off me, barreling into the woods. It happened so fast that I was still pulling my clothes into place when I heard the scream. I moved, tearing through the woods.

I skidded to a stop, gaping at the sight of Orym struggling beneath a wolf the color of midnight. Dianna held him easily, her lips pulled back in a menacing snarl.

“Dianna.”

Her head snapped toward me.

Orym held his torn-out throat, coughing. I dropped to my knees, my hands covering his wound, silver light emitting from my palms.

Jaws snapped toward me, her voice as dark as her fur. “Why are you helping him? He smells of Nismera’s legion.”

“He’s an ex-commander, Dianna, non-active and currently bleeding out.”

Orym groaned, his throat vibrating beneath my palms, but the bleeding had stopped pooling, and I could feel the skin knitting back together.

She growled. “Is this what he told you? The smell is too fresh. He’s lying to you.”

My hands lifted, and Orym sat up, scuttling back so fast he hit a fallen log, still holding his throat.

“You can understand it?” Orym asked, his voice broken, his throat raw and healing.

I ignored him, focusing on her. “Do you truly think I am incapable of discerning threats? He smells of them because his sister is still a spy there. She sends messages by ink. That is all.”

The fur standing on her back slowly fell, but a low growl continued to rumble in her throat, her eyes focused on Orym. I realized then that Dianna was hurt and broken, the wounds still raw and wide open. Between the fear of having lost me, the adrenaline, and what had happened to Gabby, she was reluctant to trust anyone near me.

“Dianna. I am safe.”

Her eyes snapped to mine, the crimson glow easing a bit. She took a deep breath, and her posture eased, the low grumble in her throat quieting. Dark mist grew from her fur and swirled around her. She shifted, and I was instantly on my feet, blocking Orym’s view of her naked body.

I tossed a look over my shoulder, glaring at him. “You even try to look, and I’ll rip your throat back open.”

He held up a bloody hand in defense and shook his head.

“Dianna, clothes. Now.” She rolled her eyes but headed back to where we had left her clothes.

“You followed me?” I asked Orym, still blocking his view of where Dianna was dressing behind me.

Orym rubbed his throat. “I woke up, and you were gone. I was afraid the guards had done something in retaliation, and then I heard the grunting . . . I didn’t know. I thought they dragged you off.”

“Retaliation?” Dianna asked, stepping to my side as she adjusted the laces of her shirt over her breasts. “For what?”

Orym did not look toward her as if he was afraid to make eye contact, and I could smell the fear dripping off him. “He saved me when he first arrived,” Orym said. “I defected from Nismera’s army. They hated me and tried to beat me to death.”

Dianna’s nostrils flared at Nismera’s name, but she didn’t move toward Orym. Her eyes darted to mine, a smirk flirting with her lips. “Always the hero.”

“I can’t help myself,” I joked. Her smile widened at the inside joke.

“So this is your great love?” Orym asked, his eyes darting toward her this time. “The one you spoke about? The one that gave you the necklace?”

My body flushed with heat, my smile dropping as if I had been caught doing something wrong. I had not said that word to Dianna or her to me, and I was nervous to have it spoken out loud. What if what we had was fantastic but not love for her?

Her eyes widened, and her brows rose, her gaze flicking between Orym and me. “Great love?”

I glared at Orym, and he scooted back a fraction. I raised my hand, scratching the back of my head. “We were just talking . . .”

“Uh-huh?”

“And he—”

“She’s Ig’Morruthen,” Orym interjected and stood. “You did not mention that.”

“Why would that matter?” I snapped back. “She’s good.”

Dianna crinkled her nose and glanced at me. “I mean, let’s not lie to him.”

“You heard what they said. One of them nearly destroyed these realms. One. Singular. Bloodshed, pain, torment. The sky was black with smoke as villagers screamed below. All under Nismera’s orders.” The look he fixed on Dianna made my blood boil. “He was right. There are six, and you’re hiding her.”

I stepped in front of Dianna, blocking her from his accusing finger. “If you look at her like that again, speak to her in that same tone, or threaten her, I do not care about any partnership or alliance we may form. I will kill you,” I said, meaning every word.

Orym’s eyes widened, and he held up his hands in mock defense. “I’m not being crass or rude, my liege, but—”

“I know what and who she is. You do not.” My hand flicked out, and an ablaze weapon formed between him and her. The silver shine glistened in the darkened forest, illuminating us both. “If you are a threat to her, you are a threat to me. I will not repeat myself.”

Orym took one look at the blade and then glanced at our hands. “She is not just your great love, is she? That furious blind need to protect. She’s more.”

Dianna’s hand clasped over my wrist, and she stepped forward, flashing a smile toward me, then Orym. “While this bravado and public display of affection is nice, let Orym have his fears. It doesn’t matter. We’re leaving anyway.”

“Leaving?” Orym and I said at the same time.

Dianna glanced at us as if we had grown six heads. “Uh, yeah? I spoke to Reggie, and we have a plan to get out of here without being caught or alerting Nismera’s soldiers.”

“Dianna, I cannot leave.”

“Why?” Her brow flicked up. “You can’t go to Nismera’s prison. If she finds out you’re alive—”

“She’s not there,” Orym interrupted. “And Samkiel made a promise to me.”

She glared at me. “Of course he did. That damn kindness of yours.”

I recalled the ablaze weapon back into my ring. “I thought that was one of your favorite things about me?”

“It’s becoming my least favorite when you promise detours.” Her eyes darted to my side. “We still need to find The Hand, and you’re in no shape for an epic rescue, king.”

“I’m fine, as I proved just a bit ago. Your elixir worked. I don’t feel as fatigued as before. Besides, you’re here now, so you can help me, and we will be done even quicker.”

Her arms tightened around herself. “Don’t throw me a pretty smile and flatter me, thinking I will do whatever you say.”

“Please.” I stepped forward, my fingers curving under her chin. “Do this for me?”

Dianna stared at me for a moment, chewing on the inside of her cheek before sighing and turning toward Orym. “Fine, what is tall, dark, and heroic supposed to help you with?”

Orym stood, looking at us in shock, before clearing his throat. “Samkiel promised he’d help Veruka and me.”

“Veruka?”

“His sister,” I replied.

Something passed across Dianna’s face, an emotion I knew all too well. As brief as it was, I recognized the lost, angry, and broken look that she had worn on the remains of Rashearim. Her grief lived just under her skin, and I knew even when she joked or smiled or laughed with me, it still bit at her and always would. She would always remember how she lost Gabby and the lengths she went to avenge her.

Dianna glanced at me, and the demons raging behind her eyes retreated. As she held my gaze, another emotion brushed against me as if just the connection with me helped to calm those demons.

“He would.” She smiled, but it wasn’t a teasing, flirtatious smile. This one was soft, tender, and loving. My heart beat frantically at the sight. If she looked at me like that again, I might have just forgotten about helping Orym, taken Dianna, and left.

I cleared my throat. “She is a spy, as is he. They communicate with wisps.”

“Wisps?” Dianna asked.

Orym held up his hand, and a small fluttering wisp landed on his palm. “Wisp. Usually, they will carry a small note, but I haven’t received any new ones.”

Dianna cocked a brow and leaned closer. “We have those in my world. They are called dragonflies.”

Orym scrunched his face. “That’s peculiar. They look nothing like dragons.”

Dianna shrugged. “Okay, fine. We will save your sister. I’m assuming she is at the prison.”

“No,” Orym said as the wisp flew away. “She is still under Nismera’s rule.”

The air shifted at his words. Dianna stepped forward, her lip curling up, exposing gleaming fangs. I held my arm out, blocking her path.

“Excuse me? She works for her? And you want us to help you? Are you out of your godsdamn mind? After—”

“Dianna,” I cut her off. “Let him explain.”

She no longer growled, but she didn’t move back an inch. I knew if he said the wrong thing or reached for me, his head would be off his shoulders with one swipe.

“Fine. Explain to me how we can trust your sister even though she still works for Nismera and her brother is a rebel.”

Orym swallowed. “Because she was the one who told on me and got me sent away.”

Dianna didn’t speak for a second, but I no longer felt her hackles were raised either. “I will not go into all the ways that is fucked up right now.”

Orym only shrugged. “We do what we must in order to survive for the rebellion. It gave her a foothold in the legion she is a part of. They trust her completely.”

“I promised I would help. We,” I said, and Dianna rolled her eyes, “will help you.”

“Not by choice.” She smiled, and I nudged her. “So, what’s the big plan? Go to prison and what?”

“Veruka said there is something there we need. A weapon of some sort. I’m not sure,” Orym said.

“A weapon in the prison?” Dianna asked.

“I said I was unsure.”

“Apparently.” Dianna scoffed. “What kind of spy are you?”

Orym’s face darkened.

“Enough.” I held my hand up between them. “Both of you.”

The sound of leaves crunching made us all turn, and I saw the light of three torches headed our way. Guards.

“Dianna, you have to go,” I said, keeping my voice low.

She nodded and placed her hand over mine, squeezing it once. “I’ll stay close, so please ask the guards to keep their hands to themselves, or I’ll burn this entire camp. Promise or not.” She glared at Orym.

I nodded and leaned forward to kiss her. I pulled back, and she smiled. Feathers replaced skin, and a bird as black as night took flight.