“You fought well.” Kane pulled me into him and peered over at Aeden, who stood, solemnly looking over the bodies. “Aeden. Thank you. I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving Auriena. You will be rewarded.”
Aeden lowered his head. “I do not need a reward. This is nothing to celebrate for me. Saving her was less than I owe you for bringing this upon you. I did not know they would act out as they did. I owe you, my liege.”
Dorian and the remainder of his men, six of them, gathered around us as Thaid and Indrell climbed out of the carriage. Dorian scanned us all before addressing Kane. “We lost a few men. And a couple of their men escaped. But those that remained were dispatched and sent to their afterlives other than these three.” He stepped aside and three of his men pulled in an Emalne each in binds. “They should be tried by the council.”
“Thank you.” Kane winced. I could see thought the rip in his shirt that the wound was already knitting together.
Thaid stepped forward. “That they will.” He waved his hands, sealing the binding ropes with magic as they pulled tighter around the men’s wrists.
Dorian motioned to the men. “Take them to the keeper and return with haste.”
Thaid addressed Kane, “They will be tried with Gael for these crimes. Rest assured they will not be set free, and I will send word once their sentencing has been carried out.”
“Very well.” Kane pulled me in tighter.
Following the prisoners and their guards into the building across the street, Thaid left.
Aeden flicked his wrist, and several of his men started cleaning up. “I and my men will clean this mess and will accompany you back to Everwinter.”
“To what end?” Wulfgar pulled his axe back out.
“To ensure you all make it there safely,” Aeden replied, not sounding offended, just weary.
Kane put a hand on Wulfgar’s arm, pressing his hold on his axe down. “That is kind of him.” He turned to Aeden. “But that is not required of you.”
“Unless you insist that we do not, I would like to request the honor.” Aeden’s eyes shot back to Indrell before falling back to the ground.
I followed his gaze and saw the healer behind me, just as many tears had been falling from her eyes as had been mine. “Indrell?”
She shied away.
I turned to Kane. “They come.”
It hit me when I felt it. Aeden loved Indrell. And while I didn’t know the story, I could feel it was a love that, while she reciprocated it, they had either never been allowed or never allowed themselves to pursue.
Looking into my eyes, Kane nodded. “Dorian, be sure that our things are ready and help Aeden’s men prepare for the journey.”
With a huff, Dorian followed orders, snapping at his closest soldier to do tasks as he barked them out. It wasn’t hard to see that Dorian disagreed with our new travel companions.
I reached up and touched the place where I’d seen the blade pierce Kane’s shoulder. His skin was completely sealed, but the pinkish flush of new flesh was still there, telling me that he was still mending.
His hand rested over mine. “I am fine.”
“I am not.” I didn’t look up at him, instead, letting my fingers trace the ragged lines of the fading scar.
Blood still stained his clothing, splattering in all angles across him. It was hard enough seeing him have to fight, but the horror that ripped through me when I saw the Emalne’s blade shoot through him nearly took me to my knees. Even standing there, watching his wound heal, a nausea rose up in my throat, and I choked back tears.
He leaned down, moving into my vision. “Hey, little one. I am fine.”
I sniffled, tipping my chin up and averting my eyes.
He ran his hands down my arms as if searching something. Something in his voice turned urgent. “Are you hurt? Have you an injury I did not see inflicted on you?” He continued to look me over.
After a moment, I finally choked out, “No.”
He sighed in relief. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Then what is it?”
I fought to speak around my tightened throat. “I thought he might kill you. When I saw him stab you through, I was blocked from seeing you again, and I didn’t know what happened. I didn’t know how bad your injury was or if he had been able to do worse. And… I…”
He pulled me in as I started to sob again. His hand smoothed over my hair as his other one held me, pressed to him. “I would rather it be me that dies than you. I will take any blow if it keeps it from you.”
My hands gathered the fabric of his shirt and held on tight.
He put a finger under my chin and lifted my head to look at him. “I am alive because I fought to keep you safe.”
“I can’t lose you now.” My cheeks were soaked.
He wiped tears away with both of his thumbs, cupping my face in his hands. “Then you will not.”
Wulfgar cleared his throat nearby. “We should be ready soon.”
Surprised by his statement, I looked around. Already, the men had stacked all the dead in a cart and were removing it. The carriage had signs of battle but was otherwise fixed up and cleaned. Horses were lined up. The men that had taken the prisoners to the keepers had returned and were in line with the others. And Dorian walked toward us.
When Aeden returned to our company, Indrell came out of the
