Page 37 of Kingdom of Spirits

“Show it.” Tahlia met his gaze, her eyes burning.

“HC?” Fara whispered.

“High Captain,” Tahlia whispered back.

“Oh, right,” Fara said.

Tahlia stood, and though she didn’t come closer, she felt closer to Marius somehow. “You said you care deeply for me, yes?”

Fara’s eyes widened, then she rose quickly and went to the dragons, muttering about poultices.

“I did. I do,” Marius said, the curse creeping up his throat again to snare his tongue. His feelings for Tahlia were tied to this dark magic. Of that, he had no doubt.

Tahlia’s eyes shuttered briefly as if his words were a balm. He took a slow breath. He should have been saying that and more toher every moment they were together, back when he still could speak freely. He’d thought they had all the time in the world.

“So,” Tahlia continued, “how do you expect me to leave you here like this? I feel for you as much as you feel for me. Possibly a great deal more.”

“Not possible.”

Her lovely dusky-rose-hued lips formed a sad smile.

“I can’t watch you die for me,” he said.

“I’m a Mist Knight. You probably will watch me die at some point.”

“That’s for the order. For the realm. I won’t have your life shortened because… I can’t…” Shaking and baring his teeth, he fisted his hands until his knuckles nearly broke the skin.

Tahlia lifted a hand. “Eh, breathe. I know what you mean. Because of whatever is going on with you specifically.”

“So you agree to leave tomorrow?”

“Not at all.”

He threw up his hands and paced a circle. “Of course.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t agree with it. If I were in your place, would you stay for me? Would you and Ragewing risk all for me?”

He halted. “You know I would.”

“I didn’t realize that.”

“Well,” he said, tongue burning as his desire to tell her about the curse and the cause rose again, “you do now.”

“Don’t expect any less of me than you do of yourself. Don’t degrade me like that.”

“I, Tahlia, I…”

“You were trying to tell me about whatever is happening by drawing in the mud, weren’t you?”

“Yes.” Pain shot down his throat.

“We will figure this out. Now, why don’t you sleep and I’ll take the first watch. Fara, will you take second?”

“Aye.”

Tahlia nodded, looking like she was the highest rank here and enjoying the feeling of leadership. A reluctant grin tugged at one side of his mouth.

“I won’t sleep, but I’ll try.” Marius hated this, but he couldn’t argue. He would do the same if he was in her boots. “But first, I need to wash.”