Page 57 of Blood and War
“No.” He didn’t feel anything, that was the problem.
“Exactly.” Gabriel narrowed his eyes as if the movement would help him hone in. When he frowned, Kellan knew his struggles were the same.
“Are you worried?” Kellan asked. His hand inched toward the sword strapped to his back. Readying himself to wield the blade that seemed to almost call out his name as his fingers neared. One glance at Kane, and he already had his bow drawn.
“I don’t know yet.” Gabriel answered. “Hold.” He raised a hand, signaling for Kane and him to stand down, but Kellan freed his blade anyway. He’d been on edge since the cave.
He dared a glance at the girl who’d yet to draw a weapon of any sort. He’d been about to bark an order at her when her mount planted his hooves and came to an abrupt halt. Atlas’s ears perked, his nicker echoing around them through the canyon.
A whinny in answer from somewhere around the bend, and to Kellan’s relief, Eire rounded the bend one hundred feet ahead of them with a body strapped to the back of her mare, its legs and arms bound tightly. At neck breaking speed she galloped toward them, only sliding to a stop feet away before colliding. Effortlessly, she sliced the bonds on the wrists and legs beforetossing the body to the ground at their feet. Kellan watched as the man landed with a grunt.
Thirty-Five
DEMITRIA
Demitria’s heart stopped, catching in her chest. Feet flying from the saddle, she was running before the others could even blink.
Warmth. Strong arms.
Through all the blood, dirt and sweat,mint. It overtook her. Overwhelmed her. He was alive.
Alive
Her brain screamed, over and over again. Alive. Alive. Alive.
Jace wasalive.
“Jace.” Voice hoarse, her throat burned from lack of proper use. His hands tangled in her long, brown hair. “Oh God, Jace.” The sobs overtook her body. She couldn’t see, blinded by the tears that were once again falling as she clung to him. Afraid that if she let go, he’d disappear forever. This had to be real. She couldn’t survive it if it wasn’t. Jace was alive. He was here.
“I thought I’d never see you again.” Jace was crying as he grabbed her, touching her arms, her face, as if in disbelief.
And she was laughing. Gods, she was laughing, because he feltreal.
“I thought you were dead.” Demitria buried her face into Jace’s chest. Pressing her body to him. Suffocating herself attheir closeness. “I didn’t know what to do. Couldn’t breathe.” She was hyperventilating. Her entire body trembling. Alive. He was alive. “I’m so sorry for leaving. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She apologized over and over again as another wave of guilt crashed through her. She pictured the bodies lying on the ground. Limbs torn free or buried under rubble, and in her mind, suddenly it was Jace. Staring at her, eyes glazed over and lifeless. She held on to him tighter. “I thought you were dead, and I… I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” He whispered. “I’m right here.” Jace ran a hand through her hair in a soothing motion. “I’m right here.”
“You were dead.” Her brain was in overdrive. Couldn’t tell up from down. Everything stopped. Jace. The only thing that mattered was Jace.
“I’m here.” He soothed. “I’m not going anywhere. Never again. We’re together.” His hands roamed over her face. Her sides. He couldn’t stop touching her, like he couldn’t believeshewas real.
“I thought I lost you.” Her knees buckled beneath her, and the two were sent crashing to the ground. Pulling her body into his lap, Jace embraced her tighter, unrelenting in his grip. Refusing to let her go. “I thought I lost you.” She repeated, voice no more than a whisper. Demitria closed her eyes, and all she could see were the flames that burned their homes. The bodies in the streets…
“I’m here.” He rocked the both of them gently and her body melted into him. Her fingers aching from the grip she had on him, but she couldn’t let go in fear that he’d disappear once more.
“How did you get out?” Kellan’s strained voice broke through her thoughts, and she pulled away from Jace to look at him. At all of them seated atop their mounts. Gabriel’s face hardened, jaw clenched as he looked at his sibling.
“Everything happened so fast.” Jace looked up, eyes meeting each of the Horsemen towering above him. “We didn’t even have a chance to react before they hit the gate.” He didn’t move from his spot on the ground. Content with Demitria safely back in his arms as she listened to the steady beat of his heart. “They slaughtered everything in their path. Set the city ablaze.” Shaking his head, the shudder worked through his body as he recalled the events.
“We knew you were on the front lines. How were you spared?” Kellan pried.
“I shouldn’t have survived.” Jace hung his head, almost as if he was ashamed. “I tried to get everyone out. Tried to hold off as many of those damned monsters as I could while the others escaped.” Demitria’s hand entwined with his own, willing her strength into him. He smiled down at her, and it didn't go unnoticed by Kellan. The Horseman turned from them. “Stella took a death blow for me. She shouldn’t have been fighting. Iwatchedher leave with the first group that left.” Bringing his gaze back up to Kellan, he continued. “I didn’t even know what happened until it was too late. I didn’t know she came back. She shoved me out of the way with a strength I didn’t even know she possessed, and she took the blow that was supposed to be for me.” More tears ran down his fair cheeks
Something in her cracked at the news as she choked back a sob. Stella… Demitria had even dared to hope that she’d see the woman again. Her sweet, smiling face as she greeted her. As she taught her about plants and medicinal herbs in the greenhouse. How to grow food. So much of her knowledge was from the woman, like the mother she’d lost, and Demitria never got to say goodbye. She was grateful to the woman for saving Jace’s life, but at what cost?
Another body. Just another body added to her list of people she couldn’t save. Of loved ones lost.
“She sacrificed her life for yours.” Kellan’s voice was quiet. Knowing. Demitria watched his features soften as his eyes met hers, and he bowed his head at her, as if in condolences.