Dragons Against Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice #2)(47)

“Deal.”

“Cool.” Her gaze shifted to scan their surroundings. “So, what was it that we’re supposed to be doing for Quinn again?”

Tristan cursed beneath his breath. “I nearly forgot.”

He gathered his bag, checked to make sure nothing had been left behind, and grasped her hand. “Come, we must prepare for his and Zayne’s arrival.”

“He’s going to be all right, isn’t he?”

The worry in her voice rattled him. His sister was truly in love with Prince Zayne, of that he was certain. As he was that Zayne, formerly rebellious son of Robert, did indeed worship the very ground upon which his twin walked. Guilt tore at Tristan yet again for his foolish actions and the life that was nearly lost.

A life, he vowed silently as they hurried forward, he would do everything in his power this night to save.





Chapter 26





“Zayne? Zayne, honey? Are you in there?”

Zayne struggled to open his eyes. A cool hand stroked his face.

Adelaide.

Was this but a dream? Her touch felt so real, her voice like the sweetest melody to his weary soul, and yet he feared to wake up might break whatever spell he was under. So if it were a dream, he would savor it. For dreams like this kept the nightmares of reality away.

“Zayne, sweetheart, we have something for you. Something to help with the pain.”

At the mere mention of the word, the burning in his chest seemed to reignite. He cracked one eye open and spied a sideways Adelaide kneeling beside him. The worry lessened on her brow as a smile crept across her beautiful face. If this was how his mind sought to play tricks on him, Zayne would gladly allow it.

“There you are,” she said. “I was beginning to think I’d have to smack you a few times to wake you up. But after all you’ve been through, I really didn’t want to do that.”

“All I have been through?”

He tried to sit up, but even in his dream, the simple act of moving both arms nearly consumed him with pain. Zayne ceased his efforts and exhaled a pained hiss instead.

“Tristan, Quinn—help hold him up a minute, will you? I need to get him to drink this.”

“Please,” he said. “Leave me be.”

“Come on, you big baby.”

Her voice was soft and teasing but carried with it a serious edge. Before Zayne could comment back, a set of hands slid beneath each of his arms and lifted. A cry escaped him, the pain so fierce it nearly blinded him. Hatred flooded through Zayne anew for her tyrant father. No woman should ever have to see her mate at his weakest. A growl rose to his lips.

“Shh. I know, I know. But Haelan said this would help.”

Zayne opened his mouth to the bowl Addie offered, the aroma of its herbal contents tickling his nose with its steam. The taste was deplorable—like eating hay and clover and earth all at once—but he dared not complain. At this moment, he would have eaten embers if doing so promised to lessen the pain and restore his strength.

For he needed to be strong to keep Addie safe. So he drank what was offered and tried to focus instead upon the woman kneeling before him, her pale skin aglow in candlelight. While concern once again tugged at her brow, in her eyes shone a look of determination. Ah, but she would soon make him a fine wife, a caring mother, and, later, a confident queen.

“There.” She withdrew the bowl and wiped moisture from his lips with the hem of her gown. “You can ease him back down, guys.”

Zayne was ready for the pain this time, and with clenched teeth held his breath until the movement stopped.

“For how long did I sleep?”

Quinn came to stand beside Addie, who seemed to flinch far less than usual at his nearness. On any other day, the sight might have inspired within him a silent fit of jealousy. As it was, all Zayne felt was relief that the two were getting along.

“An hour. Maybe two.”

Addie took Zayne’s hand in hers. “Quinn led us here, to this abandoned church.”

“Aye. The church was damaged in a battle years ago. Residents of the nearest village chose to build a new church rather than try to repair this one. Fools, if you ask me.” Quinn looked up. “Aside from the sections of missing roof and small sections of wall gone, the church is strong as ever.”

Zayne followed Quinn’s gaze to spy the gaping hole in the building’s far corner. To repair it would be no small feat. “And the wizard? Haelan? Who sought his aid?”

“It was I.” Tristan stepped into Zayne’s line of sight. “The strikes my father inflicted upon your chest were not simply that of cold air meant to wound, they were ice crystals intended to cripple. Without a remedy, the ice would continue to spread throughout your body, slowly freezing you to death.”

“Lovely.” He offered Addie a teasing smirk, to ease her worries. But her brows were drawn low, a fury behind her gaze he had never seen before.

“If it was anyone else, I’d kill them for what they’ve done to you,” she said.

“Fear not, my lady.” Zayne summoned what strength he had and lifted his free hand to cup her cheek. “Your brother did a wise thing in seeking the help of Forath’s high wizard. And unless this potion is something other than what was promised, I shall soon be good as new.”

Her hand came to rest atop his. “I thought I was going to lose you,” she whispered.