The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,91

blade. “Now isn’t the time, Princess.”

“Yes, yes. You’re right. Oh, Saxon. Your poor body. You have so many gashes. And your wings.”

Forget my pain. Her hands fluttered over me, and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. No one special had ever ministered to me after a battle. I hadn’t known to want such a thing. You got hurt, someone patched you, the end. This was something to crave. “The first thing you do after getting choked is lecture me on the proper weaponry?” I suddenly wanted to grin. “Only you, Asha.”

“You could have died. Of course I’m going to lecture you.”

My heart warmed. “But we are enemies,” I said softly, hesitantly. “Shouldn’t you want me dead?”

“Probably, but I don’t, okay?” She shifted, as if uncomfortable with this line of conversation. “Let’s get you to a healer before you collapse. But I refuse to carry you, do you hear me, so don’t even ask.”

The grin spread, unstoppable. Despite everything, this girl cared about my well-being.

I wrapped my arms around her, tugging her closer. She offered no protests, just melted into my body, reminding me of our perfect fit.

“You shouldn’t be flying,” she told me. “Let’s walk—”

I spread my broken wings and launched us into the air, heading for the campground. The farther we flew, the more grueling the flight became. Wind beat against my every wound, stinging like acid, and agony throbbed in every joint and muscle, but I pushed through. I wanted Ashleigh safely ensconced in my tent as soon as possible.

“I need to return to the palace,” she said. She nuzzled her cheek against mine, petting me. Her touch was so gentle, so tender, I caught myself leaning into every stroke.

“You need a healer. One is going to meet us in the tent.”

“You need a healer. You’re injured, and carrying me isn’t helping. I’m hurting you.”

I wanted to bury my face in the hollow of her neck and breathe in her sweet scent. “I’m going to hurt regardless, Asha. This way, at least, I get to keep the rest of the world at bay.”

She went quiet for a moment. “Maybe I can stay with you while the healer works on you, but then I’m going to return to the palace, okay?”

Part with her, when I’d only just gotten her back? That, I couldn’t promise.

I let my gaze hold hers for a moment, only a moment. Tone soft, I told her, “I’m sorry Adriel attacked you. I’m sorry he tormented you at the Temple. I never ordered him to do so. Most of all, I’m sorry I didn’t take measures to protect you.”

“He admitted your mother sent him.” Her voice was as soft as mine. “She sent him to hurt me this time, too.”

I popped my jaw and nodded, believing her utterly. “Raven will be punished.” I should have known this would happen, just as I should have known about the visits to the Temple. Why had I ever thought my mother would have too much pride to send a soldier on her behest? If she could watch her husband attempt to kill her son without intervening, she would harm anyone by proxy.

In both of my previous lives, my mother had despised Leonora. The two went head-to-head and each time the witch won. For round three, Queen Raven had possessed advanced knowledge, thanks to the journals. She’d suspected Ashleigh’s true identity and had probably wanted the avian to provoke the girl into using fire magic before rendering a kill.

Though I understood her motives—though I had lived her motives—I wouldn’t let this go. She had disobeyed my orders. Now her authority as queen would be forever stripped.

We reached the campground a few minutes later. I flew Ashleigh straight to my tent. Avian warriors surrounded it, as usual, and all bowed in deference as I carried my beautiful bundle inside. Few met my gaze, however, and I knew they wondered if I could turn on them as easily as I’d turned on Adriel.

I would explain later. Obey me, and you had nothing to fear.

“Let’s get you cleaned up before the healer gets here,” I said to my princess, setting her on her feet and ushering her to the pallet.

“Let’s get you cleaned up first. I got squeezed. You took a baker’s dozen to the face.”

I sat, dragging her down with me. She puffed out a breath before relaxing, easing her head against my shoulder.

“You should let me up so I can source any supplies the healer might need,”