Page 69 of Shadow Wings
I gazed uneasily at the tree, hoping it didn’t destroy the wholeforest.
We watched for a full minute before it became apparent the tree wasn’t going to stopgrowing.
Stepping farther from the monstrous tree, Kamoi studied me a moment before speaking. “Ryn, I heard what you said, but I hope you’ll come back oneday.”
Kamini’s gaze shifted from me and Kamoi to Dyter. “Send word when you go to battle. I’ll do what I can to aid you. I can’t promise all of our kind will help; I don’t know how the next weeks will go, but some of my kind are withyou.”
Dyter grinned, his ropey scar twisting his face to appear maniacal in themoonlight.
“Our time is up,” Kamoi announced as the clang of metal sounded above the thundering growth of the tree behind us. He nodded to the guards behind him. “I’ll have my men lead those of the Phaetyn still loyal to my mother and father off. Good luck,Ryn.”
He bent over me, and I realized he was going to kiss me a moment too late. His lips touched mine, and I immediately pulledback.
A flash of hurt crossed hisface.
He literally had no right to be hurt. I’d been completely upfront. Forcing a smile I definitely didn’t feel, I reminded him, “Friends.”
He recovered quickly, and with a wink, he said. “Now Iremember.”
Yeah,sure.
Kamini waved me to her and wrapped her arms around me for a hug. “Be true to who you are. I hope our paths cross againsoon.”
“Thanks,” I murmured a moment after she pulled away. “Thanks foreverything.”
“I’ll see you at home,” Kamoi said to Kamini with awink.
The two Phaetyn royals turned their backs to us and marched into the forest, Kamoi leading his guards toward the noise and Kamini going in the opposite direction. They disappeared into thedarkness.
* * *
Dyterand I blew out a breath at the same time. We peered down at Lord Tyrrik, and I sighed, saying, “I hope you appreciate this when you wakeup.”
Dyter chuckled beside me. “I’m sure he will. Come on now, let’s get him tosafety.”
“Thensleep.”
“Then sleep,” he agreed. “I’m too old for thiscrap.”
“You got your alliance though. In the end.” I grabbed Tyrrik’s arm and hoisted him over myshoulders.
We crossed where the barrier had been, and as soon as we were off the path, the rocks thrust out of the ground and climbed into thesky.
Our conversation dwindled as we continued into the mountains, and I spotted a copse of scraggly trees in the distance, silver in themoonlight.
“Should we head over there?” I asked, pointing at thetrees.
Dyter looked at the trees and then pointed at a rocky overhang farther to our left. “Let’s go there. That way if it rains, or a Drae fliesoverhead. . .”
Crossing to the overhang didn’t take long; thank the moons for small mercies. I laid Tyrrik down on a dark rock under the overhang and groaned as my muscles were unburdened. We’d passed near a stream five minutes back. “I need to get some water to make himnectar.”
Dyter grimaced. “I’ll get water. You’d better deal with Tyrrik, Ryn. He started wheezing when we entered themountains.”
I leaned over Tyrrik and listened. “I don’t hear anywheezing.”
Dyter tossed me the water skin. “Al’right. Your ears are better than mine any day. Just don’t be mad if you come back and he’sdead.”
Dead?Mistress moons. I wasnotokay with that. Not after dragging him everywhere for the last few days. At least, that’s what I toldmyself.