Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(79)

Sadra kneels beside me and starts examining Hamish as Jovan demands silence behind me.

After a brief assessment, Sadra nods behind her, and two watchmen pick up the groaning Ire man.

“Infirmary,” Jovan snaps. He talks quietly to Malir, who nods and moves swiftly to the archway. I hurry after the watchmen who are carrying my friend. Jovan falls in beside me, walking one stride to three of mine.

“What is his condition?” he barks at Sadra.

“Unstable, my King,” she stutters. “He appears to have been shot with an arrow. I’ve snapped off the end, but would like to assess him further before removing the tip.” She holds up the arrow end.

I grab the end off her and examine it. The wood is black.

“Kaur wood. A Solati arrow,” I say, handing it to Olandon on my other side. He surveys it with a grunt and passes the fletching to Roscoe. I glance over my shoulder and see the advisors are trailing us down the hall.

“He will need to be questioned before you care for him. Have you got something to wake him?” he asks Sadra. She nods quickly and runs to a wooden cabinet.

“It can’t wait?” I ask with a frown. I observe as the watchmen gingerly deposit a now unconscious Hamish on the bed.

“Olina, this must be done. I will be quick.” Jovan rests his hand on my shoulder as I force my feelings aside.

Sadra waves something under Hamish’s nose. I wrinkle my own nose from two meters away. Jovan leans in and holds the Ire man down as he jolts awake.

“Where is Willow?” Hamish demands, clutching his stomach.

I turn to Jovan. “Who's in the room?” I ask.

“Get out!” he barks at two watchmen. He surveys the rest of the group. “All right,” he says. Everyone left in the room has seen my face before.

I turn back to Hamish and take off the veil. “I’m here, Hamish,” I say, perching on the bed on his other side. The sight is more horrific without the mask.

“That bad?” he says.

I smooth my features. “I’ve seen worse,” I say.

“Olina,” Jovan softly interrupts. I banish my shock, gripping my friend’s hand.

“What has happened?” I ask. “How were you hurt?”

He sets unfocused eyes on my face. “Jimmy went exploring,” he starts. My hand tightens and I loosen my grip as Hamish winces.

“He got caught by the Solati,” he whispers between coughs. Blood drains from my face.

“He’s dead?” I gasp.

He shakes his head, and his eyes flicker. Sadra waves more of the strong-smelling concoction under his nose.

“That … bloody stinks.” Hamish glares at Malir’s wife. “They’re holding him hostage. They said they would cut him into several pieces if the supports were not back in place in a day’s time,” he says, shifting uncomfortably as Sadra begins peeling material off the wound.

“That was a week ago,” he whispers.

Everyone in the room stops. The only sound comes from Sadra’s bustling movements.

“We were told any attempts to reach you would lead to Jimmy’s execution. You can imagine Adox…” He trails off.

I grip his shoulder as tears build in my eyes.

“I can,” I say. Adox would be absolutely distraught at the thought of one of his people coming to harm. This was exactly what he’d feared before I managed to convince him to an alliance with Jovan and myself.

“They’re nearly here,” he says. “They’ve picked up pace, traveling through the night as well. Adox thought … a risk to reach you,” he squeezes his eyes together tightly at Sadra’s prodding. “To warn you,” he gasps.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “I know what that might have cost the Ire.”

His eyes begin to close and I give Sadra a frantic look, clutching her wrist. She removes herself from my terrified grip.

“His pulse is still steady. It’s merely the blood loss and fatigue,” she says calmly. I’m not sure if she’s trying to placate me or if that’s the truth.

“I think that’s all we’re going to get,” the king says.

“Why was your face covered?”

I look back down and see Hamish staring at me with unfocused eyes. The blood is everywhere. How can someone survive such an injury? What if he dies never knowing the truth?

“Because I’m Tatuma Olina of Osolis,” I say.

His eyes widen, searching my face for a lie. “Veni…”

“Forgive me?” I ask after a long silence.

“Always,” he says, shock sharpening his wits again. “I just can’t forgive the … person who covered such a … pretty face.”

A couple of tears track down my cheeks and I dash them away and he faints once more. “Please take care of him, Sadra,” I say.

She pats my cheek and shoos me away. I replace my veil, ignoring a penetrating look from Jovan.

I follow the council to the meeting room, Olandon entering with me.

“I’ve sent a message to the front line in the First Sector,” Jovan starts. “Our armies will need to mobilize as soon as possible,” he says. “It will take two days to shift the men, cavalry, and supplies that far. I’ve only left half of our force there.”