But it might also deliver her from the horrible trap that was this city. To stay meant death one way or another, and there was no chance Malahi would allow her on any ship she boarded—High Lord Calorian had ensured that.
Teriana needs me.
My father needs me.
And if it came to pass that Lydia was too late to save them, then Lucius Cassius needed to be brought to justice for his crimes.
There is nothing for you here.
Her eyes burning, Lydia tightened her grip on her sword. Then she reached out her fingers toward the xenthier stem.
54
KILLIAN
Lunging, Killian caught Lydia’s wrist and hauled her backward with enough force that she crashed into him, the torch in her hand falling to the floor.
She struggled, then realized it was him, her eyes widening. “What are you doing here?”
It was more of an accusation than a question. “I’ve got good instincts. Which is fortunate for you.”
She jerked her wrist out of his grasp, bowing her head even as she balled her hands into fists. “I need to get home, Killian. And that means getting free of this cursed city however I have to.”
“With this?” He jabbed a finger toward the xenthier, wishing there was a way to smash it. To break it. To eliminate any chance she’d ever go near it. “You have no idea where it goes.”
“Anywhere is better than here.”
“You bloody well know that’s not true.”
“Teriana needs me!” Lydia screamed the words, her whole body shaking. “Everything that happened to her, to her people—it is my fault! There is no risk too great if it means I might have the chance to save her life.” Then she dropped to her knees, sobbing. “It’s been a month. She’s been a prisoner for a month, and all I can imagine is the things that Lucius has done to her. And my father … I’ve nearly lost hope that he’s still alive.” Lifting her face, she stared up at him, black lashes glistening with tears. “Every choice I’ve made has pulled me farther away from them.”
He knew she didn’t mean distance.
Dropping to his knees, Killian gripped her hands, wishing he had a way to stop her shaking. “Every choice you’ve made since I’ve known you has saved lives.”
Her hands tightened on his, her pale skin sticky with drying blood. Yet despite it, she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever met. Lydia was no fighter, but she was a warrior in her own right. In her own way. Clever. Fierce. Selfless. “Hegeria chose well when she chose you.”
She gave the faintest shake of her head, fresh tears cutting tracks through the blood on her face.
“The sun will be up soon,” he said. “We’ll know better then the state of the Gamdeshian fleet. With the vessels that survived, we’ll begin immediate evacuations. The city is lost. Everyone has to leave, one way or another, and there isn’t time for Quindor’s little tests. I’ll get you out of here.”
“And if the fleet is lost entirely?”
Killian sucked in a breath, unwilling to consider the magnitude of such a loss. “Then I’ll make sure you’re equipped and supplied, and you can take your chance with the xenthier.”
“You won’t try to stop me?”
Every part of him would want to. Not just because of the risk of the xenthier, but the danger he knew Lydia would face once she made it home. Killian knew the sort of man this Lucius Cassius was—not the sort that would take kindly to his power being contested, especially by a young woman. And in trying to save Teriana’s life, Lydia might well lose her own. But keeping her here was no safer. He could not protect her, and even if he could, Killian knew she didn’t want that from him. “It’s your choice, not mine.”
Though by the gods, he wished it could be different. Except he was sworn to Malahi, was betrothed to Malahi, and he would not dishonor her, never mind that none of this had been his choice. No matter that he could feel Lydia’s breath against his cheek, her full lips so temptingly close. No matter that all he wanted to do was peel away clothes stained with the horror of the night and lose himself in her. Not for a night, but for as long as she’d have him.
Yet what Killian wanted had never mattered. And it did not now.
Rising to his feet, he helped her upright. And that’s when he heard the sound of running feet. Lena burst