Page 98 of Oath of Rebellion

The silence in the room was heavy, and it pressed on him. His eyes stung, and he felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Three days," Krys said softly. "If she's not awake in three days..."

Knox leaned his head on the coffin and closed his eyes. He'd failed her. They wouldn't have the chance to argue over where to live or for him to convince her to stay by his side forever.

A single tear rolled onto the coffin, the blue smoke inside following the liquid as it slid down the side.

"Open the coffin," his voice was rough with emotion.

The dwarves murmured behind him that it was a stasis chamber, not a coffin, but Knox ignored them as Krys pressed keys on the side. The glass slid over, and the blue gas dissipated.

Knox brushed her hair back from her face, the knot in his throat making him swallow hard. He leaned closer and whispered, "I'm sorry, Eirwyn."

Then he pressed his lips to hers once more. Her lips were soft, and he wondered how they'd mated multiple times but had never kissed before arriving at the dwarves stronghold. Tears and water from the trough dripped onto her, and he pulled away.

She wouldn't like the dirty horse water. He cleaned her face as the pressure built, his eyes blurring.

Pain seared through his chest, and he wanted to scream.

He held it in, let the pressure build. His hands lengthened, aching. He straightened and turned away, tilting his head up high. He didn't meet the gaze of anyone as he walked out of the lodge and into the forest.

It took all night for him to regain control of his emotions. His body burned in pain, his skin and scales shifting. He grew massive claws, then they went back to hands, then claws again.

He hunted deer and rabbits, bringing each carcass back to the lodge before going back out. He took his axe and chopped down dead trees.

But he couldn't bring himself to start another sapling in its place. All he saw was death and destruction, not new life. The shadows enveloped him in the night, reminding him of Eirwyn. His cheeks turned cold in the frigid night air, the storm bringing a cold front that suited his icy, empty heart.

Chapter 35

WHEN DAWN BROKE, KNOX strode through the clearing to the front door of the lodge. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he avoided eye contact when he sat at the kitchen table. The dwarves spoke in hushed tones, avoiding him.

But Ashur sat directly across from him and cleared his throat. He ate a bite of porridge, but Knox looked up at him and then back down at his own bowl.

"Out with it," he told Ashur, his voice hoarse and scratchy.

Ashur paused, eyeing him warily, then said, "What's your plan for Scarlet?"