Isla's Reach: The Breaths and Depths (The Breaths and Depths Duology Book 1) by Francisca Liliana

Author:Francisca Liliana [Liliana, Francisca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798988082910
Published: 2023-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

The Whole of the World

When Evelyn woke, she rubbed her eyes, wondering how late she’d slept in. The light from her window was bright with sun, but unusually warm. Why was it so warm? She tried to sit up, but her head ached with too much sleep.

“Not so fast. It’s alright, you’re safe.” The voice was deep and kind. She knew that voice. Her eyes went in and out of focus as she lifted her head, feeling a hand on her shoulder helping her upright.

“Soup?” It had been years since she’d called him that.

The shifting shape in front of her changed and bent until all colors stood still and formed a cohesive line of sight. Sou sat next to her on the bed, his cheek an ugly painting of purple and yellow. There was a tear on the collar of his tunic, the fabric stretched to expose part of his shoulder. A long, raised scar stretched across his skin, disappearing beneath the rest of his clothing. It had the look of an old battle wound and she wondered how he had gotten it.

“It’s a fine meal to be,” he said, smiling. There was something different about him. His headband was gone.

Evelyn shook her head and suddenly it all returned. The fire and screaming, Birdie dying in her arms. Sou’s confession of his true self, the betrayal and hurt. She remembered the brothel and Due, Kiev and the gelatinous way his brain patterned the alley. She recalled being carried. Anya and Grae. Meric. Her hand flew to her chest, gripping only fabric.

“Sou, I lost it. They took it,” she said, placing her hand over her forehead, feeling the perspiration gather on her scalp.

“I know, lass. I was on my way back when I saw the thieves placing you on the steps of the inn,” he grazed his thumb over a bruised cheek. “Two against one was not ideal, but I’d fought against worse odds. The man was easily subdued.” He fingered his torn shirt. “This was the extent of his damage, but the woman with him managed to remind me of my age. They fled and I carried you inside. When I couldn’t wake you, I searched you. Oretem’s scale was gone along with your daggers.” He inclined his head, concerned.

Evelyn threw the covers off and stumbled away from the bed. She was still wearing her dirtied gown, the sash swaying in the breeze from the open window.

“I said not so fast. Find your feet before you run.” He gripped her arm to keep her from falling.

“How long have I been asleep?” she said, watching the sky turn orange from the setting sun. It was nighttime when the attack happened, surely, she hadn’t slept the whole day.

“We’re only an hour from the moon’s shift. You’ve been in bed all day. What happened? I searched you for wounds, but…” he paused, weighing his words. “You’re perfect. Not a scratch on you. Your wrist is no longer enflamed, even your palms are as they once were.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.