28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

T he ball felt like a long-aged memory, but it'd only been a few days by the time we arrived at a dark wooden two-story hunting lodge with a veranda. Caelus said it belonged to the prince and was the location he'd indicated to Malik in my note. A small barn to shelter the horses and rams was on the property, and the surrounding cedar trees provided shade against the setting sun.

Thistlewall was only a couple of hours from here.

Esteban and Stumbleduck left to gather wood for a fire, and Caelus and Kenzo worked together to check the interior for anyone who may have found their way inside. I followed close behind them. They systematically checked each room. For what, I wasn't sure. But there wasn't even a speck of dust in the cozy interior. A worn couch with blankets and an armchair that was well loved sat in front of an enormous fireplace. The kitchen had everything we would need to prepare a decent meal and a dining table big enough for six.

"How often does the prince come here?" I asked.

Kenzo shrugged. "He has a fondness for leaving the castle."

Esteban and Stumbleduck returned and started arguing about the best spices for roasted meat in the kitchen. Caelus left to gather water for our mounts. Kenzo stripped away his weapons except for a knife that poked up from his boot.

Left alone with the three of them, I picked up one of his swords and stepped outside.

The sword was a bit heavier than the ones I'd used when practicing with Selena, and a little longer. Making a mental note of it, I unsheathed the blade and began going through a series of defensive exercises Selena taught me. Those training sessions at the temple seemed so long ago. I'd missed the methodical movements, missed getting lost in them and thinking of nothing else.

In my time at the temple, I hadn't been given an opportunity to develop many hobbies. Training with Selena had been my favorite pass time aside from reading whatever materials Marus provided. Otherwise, my day had been dictated by Klareth. Usually, activities meant to "serve the gods." The physical training had been a way to control my nerves and emotions—a way to keep me exhausted so my gift was less likely to manifest unexpectedly and hurt someone. Now I found all these days without that training left me wanting.

Kenzo stepped out and watched me from the veranda as I repeated the motions again.

I completed the exercise, and Kenzo approached with one of his other swords. "Seems like you could use a little help," he said.

I shot him a look and got into position again, like Selena had taught me. With the sheath of his sword, he lifted my elbow higher. He tapped my right foot with his. "Your stance should be wider."

I adjusted and started again. The movements came easier, and it was difficult to admit he was right. Missing my sessions with Selena over the past couple of weeks hadn't done me any favors, and I was thankful for his help.

"Better," he said when I finished.

"Would you spar with me? It's been a while, so . . ." It was better than sitting around thinking about how little I could do until we started for Thistlewall. Plus, it would be a chance to test myself against someone other than Selena, even if sword fighting wasn't my best skill.

Kenzo raised a brow. "You want to be ready," he hedged.

I nodded. That too.

He smiled and stretched, lifting his arms above his head. "Why not?" Kenzo unsheathed his sword and got into position.

Esteban and Stumbleduck's chatter from inside quieted, and I glanced at the window looking into the kitchen of the prince's hunting lodge. Their attention was on us.

"Whenever you're ready," Kenzo said, grinning with a cockiness that reminded me of Caelus. He rolled his broad shoulders, the leathers he wore creaking, and readied himself.

I inhaled deeply, focusing on the man in front of me. There was no denying the two men were attractive. Caelus might've been the more handsome of the two, but the women he'd said Kenzo teased him about during their training were definitely there to ogle at both of them.

On my exhale, I advanced a step. Kenzo retreated. I took another, and he repeated. With each step I took, Kenzo mirrored it with one of his own, maintaining his distance. I sucked in another deep breath and charged him.

Kenzo remained on the defensive, keeping space between us. I groaned, and he smirked. Feinting right, I swung. He predicted the movement, parrying the blow. The force of it shoved me back.

I shot him a glare, but he darted forward, swinging. I raised my sword, blocking at the last moment.

Kenzo struck again. I dodged, backing away. He closed the gap in a blink, grabbing my wrist, twisting it, and gaining control. My hand spasmed, dropping the sword.

"You could use more training," he said, releasing me.

Frowning, I plucked the sword from the dirt. "I'd be worried if you weren't better than me." I hadn't asked, but I assumed Kenzo was at least a member of the castle guard to know Caelus so well.

Readying myself for another round, I met his dark brown eyes.

Kenzo laughed, and I darted forward, slashing down. He blocked and stumbled back. "Fuck," he panted. "You almost had me."

I smiled. "Better pay attention, then."

Kenzo circled me. I watched for some tell of what he might do, but there wasn't one. He feinted left. I barely blocked it, spinning it away. But Kenzo didn't allow me to put any distance between us. He was fast, but not as fast as Caelus. I parried swing after swing, unable to gain any ground. He slowed, but I doubted it was from fatigue.

He sidestepped, leaving an opening, and I struck. Kenzo swung right, but I expected it and dodged, circling behind him. I kicked the back of his knee and he buckled, tumbling to the ground.

Kenzo dropped his sword and lifted his hands in defeat, laughing. "Guess I underestimated you a bit." He stood and clamped a hand down on my shoulder. "Not bad."

I grinned. "Thanks."

The sun had set, leaving only a half-moon for light. Howling sounded nearby.

"That's strange," Kenzo said, scanning the tree line. "Wolves normally avoid people in the wild."

Leaves rustled. "We should probably head inside," I said. A wolf likely wouldn't be a threat in present company, but it was better not to take any chances.

Kenzo nodded and picked up his sword.

Esteban stepped out onto the veranda. "Food's done," he called.

I sheathed my sword and started toward the lodge, Kenzo a step behind me.

An enormous ink black wolf tore through the trees, snarling. It stopped in the clearing a couple of feet away and turned its massive head toward us. Blue shadowlike flames sputtered from its paws. An Abyss wolf.

I stumbled back a step. Kenzo grabbed my arm to steady me and pulled out his sword. "Fuck," Kenzo said.

The wolf pounced. Kenzo sidestepped in front of me, and it collided with him, pushing him down on top of me. My breath was knocked away and my vision blurred. I blinked to clear it. Kenzo had managed to bring his sword up in time for the wolf to bite down on the blade instead of his torso.

My sheathed sword fell out of my hands with the impact, too far away to reach.

Sharp, flaming claws swiped down, and I hissed in a breath, gasping beneath Kenzo. Wet warmth slid down my left side and pooled at my hip. The stench of seared flesh filled the air. I couldn't cry out despite the growing burn, the intensity of it too sharp.

Kenzo shoved the wolf to the side. He grunted, pushing himself upright. Gripping his side, he staggered forward. I pushed onto my knees and reached out to steady him. Sticky warmth soaked my fingertips. Those burning claws had gotten both of us.

Kenzo held up that stupid sword to fend off the Abyss wolf. But he wouldn't be fast enough in his current condition if it pounced again.

I yanked the knife tucked away in Kenzo's boot, and I stood, gritting my teeth against the scorching pain. Kenzo kept the wolf in front of him. It circled us slowly, focusing on Kenzo. I threw the blade, hitting one of the beast's eyes. I stumbled and my knees collided with the cold grassy earth.

It yelped and then snarled at us.

A crossbow bolt shot into the thick fur and exploded. The Abyss wolf screeched in pain before a bright lance flew toward it. Esteban . It missed, piercing the dirt, and the bright-as-day lance faded away. With one last look in our direction, it growled and then darted back into the trees.

Kenzo collapsed in front of me, and I started crawling over to him, ignoring the pain in my side that stretched to my hip.

Citrus filled the air, and before I could see Caelus, I said, "He's hurt."

Caelus glanced between where his friend lay collapsed on the ground and me a few feet away, helplessly trying to get to Kenzo—to heal him. His moment of hesitation passed as he gathered me into his arms and carried me to him.

I pushed away from Caelus, not caring that I nearly fell out of his arms onto the ground, and placed my palm on Kenzo's blood-soaked clothing. Closing my eyes, I pictured two threads of life connecting. There was a glimmer I latched on to, focusing on the rise and fall of his chest beneath my fingers. He's alive . I took a deep breath, concentrating, and pushed my lightning out from my hand and along the wound I couldn't see.

Kenzo's scream pierced the woods, and my eyes shot open.

That never happened.

Healing someone never hurt them.

Caelus clamped a hand over Kenzo's mouth, muffling his cries of agony, and tore Kenzo's clothing away with his other hand to reveal the deep gashes along his left side. The edges were blackened, charred. Arcs of bright azure energy caressed the wound, and it was slow to close, but the bleeding was relenting. Where the claws had seared the flesh wouldn't mend, no matter how long the lightning slid across it, coaxing. The best I could do was mend the remaining skin and stop any bleeding, leaving behind a scar.

Once the wound was healed as much as it could be, I removed my hand, halting the flow of my power. Kenzo's screams receded, and his breathing steadied.

Esteban rushed over and clasped his hands around my cheeks, forcing me to face him. His face drained of color. "Are you all right, my girl?"

I nodded even though it was a lie. From my side down to my hip burned with every move, sending fresh waves of searing hot pain through me. But the wound wasn't as deep as the one Kenzo had. He'd taken the worst of the slashing from the claws.

He's the only reason I'm alive .

Caelus returned, pressing what I suspected to be one of Reina's healing rose petals to my hip. The burning faded and didn't prompt whatever agony my esprit had caused Kenzo.

Esteban released my cheeks but didn't leave my side. "Gods, I thought you both might die." His voice was breathless.

I watched Kenzo's chest rise and fall. He's still alive, I reminded myself.

"The Abyss wolf. It was here because we're getting closer to Thistlewall, wasn't it?" I asked.

Caelus gritted his teeth. "Perrin read the note. I'm sure he gave away our location to the highest bidder. We need to get inside." He reached for my hand and steadied me on my feet. "I doubt there'll be more attacks soon. Whoever sent the Abyss wolf won't know they were unsuccessful for a time."

Caelus stepped away once he seemed certain I wouldn't collapse, and Esteban took his place. Caelus gathered Kenzo over his shoulders and headed inside.

Esteban kept hold of my hand even once we entered the lodge.

Caelus settled Kenzo onto the couch, pulling a blanket over his friend.

My head spun, and it was all I could do to stand straight, keeping my hand in Esteban's. Caelus used his skill over wind to propel himself faster than I could keep up. He stopped again in front of Kenzo with a bowl of water and a cloth and began to clean away the blood and dirt from him as best he could.

A laceration along Caelus's back caught my attention. Blood seeped through his clothes. I fought the dizziness and took a step toward him.

Even if he didn't act like the wound bothered him, there were small signs. His movements were stiff and lacked the same smoothness I'd seen time and time again. I placed my hand on his shoulder to steady myself and made that healing connection instantly.

He placed his hand on mine without turning around, and said, "Later. Please."

I swallowed hard but nodded, unable to ignore the way he said please .

"I'll see you as soon as I'm done caring for him."

I nodded, and Esteban tugged me away. Each step up the stairs toward the bedrooms was heavier than the last.