“Move back,” I yelled at her. “Nana, stop.”
Nana kept going, ignoring my pleas. When I got closer to her, I could hear her mumbling some sort of charm. She was in a trance.
The sound of the lizard’s thundering steps stopped. An earsplitting wail came from behind me.
I whirled on my heel. The Lizard Man clawed at his skin, his painful cries rising in intensity. Fire shot out of his eyes, mouth, and nose. Flames crackled over his skin, consuming him until he collapsed—a burning pile of flesh.
Royston buckled to his knees and fell to his side.
I ran over and bent down beside him. His body contorted and snapped until it returned to its normal state.
Cadby knelt at his head, his wings flapping nervously on his back.
“Royston?”
He opened his eyes. “Gia. Did we win the battle?”
“We did.”
“I am thirsty,” he said.
I glanced up at Arik. “Water. Get him some water, please.”
Deidre dropped down on the other side of Royston. “You’re alive,” she said, tears slipping from her eyes.
“Not for long, my beautiful Deidre.” He turned his head and watched my eyes. “You did well, Gianna.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “You won. You’ve made it.”
Royston turned his head back, his breaths growing shallow. “I have always known this would be my end. The potion is poisonous.”
Deidre leaned over and hugged him. “No, please stay with me.”
“I have heard of a place where loved ones meet again after death.” He coughed, his voice strained. “If it truly exists, I will meet you there.”
His eyes closed, and Deidre laid her head on his chest and cried.
He’s gone. Tears puddled my eyes, and a sadness bubbled up in my chest. It wasn’t fair. He was still young and never really got to live, except for the five months he spent with us. I hated Athela, then. Hated her for sacrificing Royston.
Cadby lowered his head. I couldn’t see his face, but his wings shuddering on his back was a sign he was crying.
I stood, swiping my tears away with muddy hands. Emily brought me a long strip of cloth, and I wiped my face with it.
Nana came over, grasped my chin, and kissed my cheek. “You’re safe. I was so frightened for you.”
I wrapped my arms around her and cried against her shoulder.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest. We had to recover Nick’s body. But I would wait. Because if I waited, I could pretend he was alive for a little longer.
I released Nana and searched the field for Bastien. Sabine and Bastien covered Odil’s body. Nearby them, Father Peter prayed over Uncle Philip. Every bit of me wanted to go over there, but I’d have to wait until Father Peter finished. Saying goodbye to Uncle Philip would tear me apart, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to do it. I wiped the tears from my eyes.
In the middle of the field, Galach’s arm was around Briony as she wiped the mud from Buach’s peaceful face. The Red carried Edgar’s lifeless body to a place under a large shade tree where others were taking their dead. A man lay Pia’s body beside the other Santaran fallen.
Doylis nodded at me before following his men back up the hill. Shyna stood at the top of the hill searching the field below. Her eyes found Demos, and she smiled, then turned to join her people gathering their dead.
I pulled my eyes from them and combed the field. Pop held a sobbing Afton, while Kayla rubbed her back.
Nana hobbled across the field in their direction.
Jaran wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I don’t think so. You?”
“Surprisingly not.”
Demos sat in the mud beside us. “I’m knackered. I have never seen so much blood in my life.”
Lei came to my other side and slipped her arm around my waist. “You did good, ducky.”
“Help!” A faint cry came from the cliffs. “Can someone give me hand? Or a rope would be good.”
Nick?
Another faint cry: “Help.”
“Nick!” The sound of his voice replaced the darkness shadowing my heart with the light of hope. He was alive. Alive!
I ran so hard to the cliff my thighs burned. After dropping to my stomach, I scooted out to the edge and peered over. Thick bramble covered the entire side of the mountain. Lying on his back, Nick balanced on the prickly branches.
Arik skidded to a stop and glanced over. “I’ll find a rope.” He hurried off.
“What are you doing?” I said, which was probably the most ridiculous question to ask in this situation.
“Oh, just hanging around.” Nick gave me that annoyed look that used to drive me crazy but totally lifted my heart right then.
He was alive.
Afton dropped down beside me. “Nick, you’re alive! I’m going to give you the biggest kiss when you get up here.”
“Deal.” He looked down, shaking the bramble, and he grabbed the branches. A frightened look crossed his face.
“Don’t move,” Afton said.
“Good idea,” he said.
The shadow of a large bird passed over us. Cadby sailed through the air and dove, scooping Nick into his arms.
“Oh my God,” Afton squealed. “I love that bird guy.”
Cadby lowered Nick to the ground, and I pushed past Afton, not caring that she wanted to kiss him or whatever. Not caring about anything but Nick. I almost tackled him in a hug and cried.
“Oh Nick. You were dead.” I took a breath. “I thought you were dead.”
“Gia,” he whispered. “I’m here. We’re okay. But can we make a deal, though?”
I pulled back and nodded. “What is it?”
“Let’s stay in our own world for a while, okay?”
I laughed. I laughed hard. Nick was alive. We were alive.
“Um, do you think…?” Afton bit her lip. “I mean, can I get a hug, at least?”
Nick snaked an arm around Afton’s waist and tugged her to us. We held each other so tightly I could hardly breathe. Over Nick’s shoulder, I spotted Bastien heading our way. I kissed Nick’s cheek, and then Afton’s, before untangling myself from their arms.
Shortening the distance between us, I met Bastien almost in the middle. He cupped my face in his strong hands and kissed my lips. He kissed them as if he’d never kissed them before, urgent and frightened. My hands, dirty from battle, gently touched his cheeks.
“Bastien,” I whispered around his kisses. “I love you.”
“You could never love me as much as I do you.” His warm breath tickled my lips.
I smiled against his mouth. “Says you.”
Uncle Philip.
“There’s something I need to do,” I said.
He followed me as I made my way to Uncle Philip. Father Peter was making the sign of the cross over Uncle Philip’s lifeless body as I approached. He stood and nodded at me.