Silevethiel by Andi O'Connor

taken aback by how quickly the intruders were moving. Brégen’s description didn’t seem to do them justice. There was something driving these men. Something almost inhuman. But he couldn’t decipher anything more and didn’t have time to waste in pondering the strangers further. His immediate, and only concern, was Irewen. One thing he did know with absolute certainty: these men were not headed in their direction by mere chance.
    “What is wrong?” Irewen asked, her voice hoarse with fear at seeing the anxiety flickering in his eyes.
    He took hold of her hands. “Our location is known,” he said quietly.
    “How many?”
    “Seven,” he replied, completely taken aback by the calm acceptance in the princess’s voice. “Five were killed by a fellow Protector and her Guardian, whom they encountered purely by chance. The remaining seven will be upon us in less than an hour.”
    She could not ask him to risk his life so needlessly. “I release you of your oath to me, Laegon,” she said softly. “Go.”
    His voice was hard as iron. “You may have released me, Irewen, but I will never release myself.”
    “Please, Laegon,” she begged. “Do not do this. Save yourself while there is still time.”
    “I am not staying because I have to. I am staying because I want to. There is nothing you could ever say or do to make me change my mind.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered, hardly able to form the words. At least now she would go to her grave a happy woman.
    “As long as you stay inside the cave, you will be safe,” Laegon assured her after he’d finished securing his fine leather quiver around his back.
    “How?”
    “It is too much for me to explain at the moment. Right now, all you need to know is that as long as you remain within the mouth of the cave, you will be protected. Though your heart may tell you otherwise, you must not step outside the entrance.”
    His statement was met with absolute silence. Abruptly, he knelt by her side. Running his fingers through her hair, he gazed into her eyes.
    “Do not worry about me, Irewen. Though I am only one, the situation is not as dire as it may seem. Unlike Drylenda and Zurland, I will not be taken by surprise, and I will have the advantage of higher ground. Drell and Halthed are on their way, and though he is still in Silverden, Brégen will be able to lend me his strength and protection. You must trust me, Irewen. Promise me that no matter what you hear or see, you will not step one foot outside this cave. Promise me.”
    Silence descended upon them. Irewen stared at the elf prince, his brow furrowed with concern. She wanted to tell him she would do nothing of the kind, but she bit her tongue. It would only be a distraction. She didn’t want to cause him greater worry. In any case, what good would she be? Though she was much stronger than the previous day, her body was still laden with weakness. She doubted she’d be able to make it to the cave entrance if she tried. Even if she was fully recovered, her skills with any sort of weapon were nonexistent. She would do nothing but get in Laegon’s way. That was something neither of them could afford.
    Finally, she nodded her head. “I promise.”
    Laegon smiled with relief before kissing her lightly on the cheek. Hurriedly, he stood and began checking his weapons. Once everything was positioned exactly where he wanted, he grabbed his bow and headed for the entrance. Pausing in the mouth of the cave, he turned to glance at her once more before disappearing from view.
    “Please, let him live,” Irewen whispered, even though there was no one to hear her prayer. “Let him return.”
    She huddled beneath Laegon’s cloak and touched her cheek. Willing the warm sensation of his lips to linger on her skin, she prepared for what she knew would be the longest and most strenuous hours of her life.
    •••
    Dusk descended upon the land. Brilliant shades of red and purple light streaked through the sky, reflecting on