“Stay with me, brother. Don’t die!” Marcellious slapped my face.
I heaved my eyelids open. “Go. Warn the women and children and get them to safety. Ride fast and hard. There’s nothing you can do here. Tell Olivia I love her.”
Marcellious hesitated. “No, don’t say those words. I’ll stay with you. We can get help. You can’t die.”
I barked out a humorless laugh. “My body says otherwise. Go back to the village and get everyone to safety!”
Marcellious paused, then said, “We’ll see each other again, brother.”
All I could manage was a slight nod.
Marcellious rose, leaped on his horse, and galloped away from all this madness.
As my spirit began to fade, seeking solace in other realms away from this physical form, thoughts drifted through my mind like clouds.
I fought entire wars and survived. Now I’m to die at the hands of the Kiowa? Life is so unjust.
I pictured Olivia’s beautiful face.My beloved Olivia. I’m dying, and I can’t even say goodbye to you. I’m sorry for disappointing you and leaving you this way.
I gulped a few lungfuls of air, then surrendered to my inevitable demise.
“No, no, no,” a familiar voice said. “You’re dying. I have to get you out of here before it’s too late. I will not let you die.”
I fought to open my eyes and stared into the emerald-green gaze of the man who had rescued me from Balthazar. “You again. How did you find me? Why are you helping me?”
He ignored my questions and began to pat me down. “Where’s your dagger?”
“Strapped to my…to my…” I paused, gathering the strength to speak. “It’s strapped to my thigh.”
“I need it. I need to get you to a safer place and time. You can’t stay here, or you will die. I won’t let that happen—this is only the beginning of what’s to come. See that moon?”
I stared at the bright orb shining overhead, illuminating the blood bath several yards away.
“The full moon,” I said. “Yes, I see it.”
Thoughts of Olivia and our baby drifted through my mind. I’d never get to see them again in this lifetime.
“I can’t leave. I won’t leave my wife behind!”
“We don’t have time to discuss this. Youwilldie if I leave you here. Give me your dagger.Now!”
I retrieved my blade and handed it over. My mind blurred as I surrendered to the fade.
“Don’t you close your eyes,” the man said, shaking my shoulders. “You’re not going to die on me—you’re going to time travel,now!”
Time travel.The words made no sense to my disappearing mind. “I won’t time travel. I can’t leave Olivia or my child behind. I’d rather die than be separated from her.”
“Listen to me, Roman. You will do as I say. I will protect her while you are gone.”
I seized his wrist. “Who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter who I am. What matters is this—I will travel you to a place that will heal you and get you better. If you want to see Olivia again, you will do as I say.” The man gripped my dagger tightly.
“I’ll find her in another lifetime. I made that promise.” My heavy eyelids drifted closed.
My life experiences began to fade, my memories rolling away like tumbleweeds. I didn’t have the strength to lift my hand, let alone speak.
My hand was lifted, and pain sliced across my palm. Confused, I struggled to open my eyes.
