Empire of Ruins (Cursed Empire Book 4) by Rachel L. Schade

Author:Rachel L. Schade [Schade, Rachel L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragon Shadow Publishing
Published: 2022-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

Kovi

MY HEART LODGED IN my throat as I shoved open the creaking temple door and stepped into the cool, dim interior. I couldn’t erase the image of Jalie collapsing, of her blood pooling beneath her. Even now, her blood was drying on my skin, mingling with my own from where one of those creatures had dug her claws into my arm.

Though everyone had witnessed Jalie choosing to spare my life, I wasn’t sure that would change anything. And in the process, I hadn’t proven anything to the Elha’tonu Elders except that I’d risk my own life for Jalie’s, jeopardizing our potential alliance. They probably still viewed her as a threat, an enemy. What if, after all of this struggle to save her, General Ilowhe and the Elders still insisted she had to be put to death?

I ground my teeth. I’d already chosen Jalie over them. I’d already risked my own life for her. I wouldn’t let them heal her only to turn around and slaughter her later.

I’ll do anything to protect her, above anyone. The realization felt natural, as if it had been there all along, under the surface. I’d prided myself on being a loyal soldier, on being unswervingly dedicated to my people.

But I’d crossed a line during the duel. I’d made a choice I couldn’t unmake.

Lift your head, Kovi.

I didn’t regret it, either. What kind of person would I be—what kind of soldier was I—if I couldn’t defend the woman I loved? If I wasn’t willing to lay down my own life and upend my whole world for her? If I couldn’t show her mercy, how could I ever enter the Golden After and look Mother in the eye, knowing I’d betrayed my own heart? Knowing I’d forsaken the first thing she’d taught me?

Most of the temple sat empty and still, but soft footsteps drew me toward a small room near the back. The door was ajar, affording me a glimpse of the bed upon which Jalie slept, her golden hair spread out across the pillow. Elder Yelaia paced the floor, her eyes unfocused as if she were deep in thought or lost in a vision.

But as soon as I stepped forward, she whirled toward me, her nostrils flaring and her eyes piercingly bright and clear. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. Her gaze flicked to Jalie and back to me.

“I wanted to make sure she was all right.”

Yelaia pursed her lips. “The future is too noisy; there are too many pieces in place and too many decisions ahead. I can’t see you or your path clearly.” She straightened. “All I know is what I saw of your past, and what I saw at the duel. I don’t know if you’re here to check on her or to kill her.”

“You saw how I ended the duel,” I murmured. “I would never kill her.”

“You would have, once,” Yelaia cut in sharply.

“Once, I was taught that she was my mortal enemy, trained to slaughter my kind as ruthlessly as her mother had.

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