Page 163 (1/2)

Rolfe sht of his armor like a thousand stones Overhead, Crochans and Ironteeth flely back across the city walls, red capes drooping over brooularly Aedion watched the sky until he saw the riderless wyvern he looked for every day, every night

Spotting hian a slow, pained descent toward the city wall

So hed his every step Nothing he could do would ever ht--not really

"The archers are out," Aedion said to Rolfe by way of greeting as Lysandra drew closer, blood both her own and fros, her chest "No more arrows"

Rolfe jerked his chin toward the Mycenian warrior still setting off her firelance in sputtering fits and bursts

Lysandra landed, shifting in a flash, and was instantly at Aedion’s side, tucked under his shield ar he looked forward to every night

So, he’d et more than that Often, they didn’t bother to wash up before finding a shadowed alcove Then it was nothing but her, the sheer perfection of her, the small sounds she made when he licked up her throat, when his hands slowly, so slowly, explored each inch of her Letting her set the pace, show hio But not that final joining, not yet

So for them both to live for--that was their unspoken vow

She reeked of Valg blood, but Aedion still pressed another kiss to Lysandra’s terimly

Well aware that these would likely be their final days Hours

The Mycenian warrior ai tumbled away into the darkness, littlecloth

"That’s the last of it," Rolfe said quietly

It took Aedion a heartbeat to realize he didn’t

The Mycenian warrior set down her firelance with a heavy, metallic thud

"The firelances are done," Rolfe said

Darkness fell over Orynth, so thick even the flames of the castle shriveled

On the castle battleing lines of soldiers coan to beat

A heartbeat, as if the ene beast now readying to devour them

Most days, they only beat from sunup to sundown, the noise blocked out by the din of battle That they had started it anew as the sun vanished … Her stomach churned

"Tomorrow," Lord Sloane murmured from where he stood beside Darrow "Or the day after It will be done then"

Not victory Evangeline knew that now

Darrow said nothing, and Lord Sloane clapped hi inside

"What happens at the end?" Evangeline dared ask Darrow