had astonished her and continued to do so as he inserted the forefingers of both hands into the topmost link of the chain and pried it apart.
“That’s amazing.” Those were thick iron links. No man should be able to bend them as if they were malleable lead. She blinked up at him.
Nico chuckled. “One benefit of my heritage. Some of the dragon’s strength remains even in human form. Now, let’s see if this will work as well.” He tossed the chain into the deep part of the stream and it was immediately swallowed up by the rocks below the surface. He then squeezed those same two fingers into the manacle, next to her sore skin. She couldn’t help but wince when he rubbed a particularly sensitive welt, and he immediately stilled.
“I’m sorry, Riki.” The look in his eyes spoke of anxiety over hurting her, however unintentionally.
“It’s nothing. Please, keep trying. I’d suffer almost anything to have these things off my wrists, and you really didn’t hurt me. I’m just a little sore.”
He continued after a moment’s pause, slower than before and twice as cautious. The idea that this big, powerful man would temper his strength for her was humbling.
He pulled and pulled, but though the welded iron creaked a bit, it wouldn’t give. Riki could see the bolt loosening, but it refused to break off, even under Nico’s enormous strength. It was better than it had been, though.
“I think we need to try this another way.” Nico removed his fingers easily now the manacle was looser, then took her hand to the ground, laying her wrist on the flat rock.
“What are you going to do?” She thought she had an idea, but she wanted to be sure.
“The rock here is some of the hardest in the world,” he explained as he positioned her wrist just so. “I’m going to try to bust the head off that bolt and push it through, and then I should be able to bend the iron wide enough for you to wiggle your hand out. He lined up her hand, picking up the other rock in his fist. “Don’t move now.”
Riki held her breath as he swung the rock at her wrist, but his aim was true. The loud bang of rock against metal made her want to jump, but she knew how important it was to keep still. She’d learned every level of control over her body and emotions while being held prisoner, so this was relatively easy to accomplish. Riki just kept the end goal in mind. Freedom for her aching, bloody, bruised and welt-ridden arms.
With a few more well-placed whacks, Nico’s plan worked. The head came off the weakened bolt and the shank fell through to the ground. Nico was able to wriggle his fingers inside and bend the iron wide enough for her hand to escape.
“One down.” He smiled at her and she felt tears of joy slipping down her face as he rubbed her poor wrist. Bringing her wrist up to his lips, he placed a tender kiss on the bruised skin and then placed it gently in her lap, only to lift the other hand and repeat the process of removing the iron chain, then the manacle.
When both her hands were free of the heavy cuffs, Nico wet a square of linen he’d had in his pocket and washed her wrists with gentle pats and swipes, removing the grime and caked blood with the fresh, cold water. The care in his expression warmed her, but the little zing of his energy had her pulling her hands back.
“You can’t!”
Nico sat back and looked at her. “I must, Riki. Please let me do what I can. I’ve never been much of a healer, but I can make you a little more comfortable at least.”
She shook her head. “I know how tiring healing can be. You need your strength, Nico. There’ll be time enough to heal after we’re out of Skithdron once and for all.”
But he scooped her hands up in his and pulled them into his lap, resting her palms on his knees. He held her wrists almost exactly where the manacles had been for so very long, but instead of hurting, Nico’s hands were gentle and healing, as he poured little zaps of his own energy into her.
She was weak, but she felt her own power responding, rising, mingling with his and multiplying.
“Stop!”
“No, wait. It’ll be all right, Riki. You’ll see.”
She tried to tug away, but it was too late.