As the dust settled and the remnants of the threat were eliminated, Lowen advanced toward the lone surviving Illyrian, her eyes bearing the weight of judgment. Her voice carried a chilling calmness that sent shivers down his spine.
"I shall reserve you for my shadowsinger," she hissed, and, at that precise moment, Azriel appeared with Rhys, Cassian, and Feyre.
She left the trembling Illyrian to the care of her beautiful shadow and hurried to Malek's side. His injuries were grievous, and she couldn't conceal the deep concern etched into her features as she knelt beside him.
"Malek, we have to remove these arrows immediately," she urged, her hands moving swiftly to assess the extent of his injuries.
It became evident right away that the Illyrian dissenters had employed unusual arrows, and she needed to act swiftly to avert further harm.
However, as she began to extract one of the arrows, Malek's painful cry pierced the air, his face twisting in agony, causing her to halt. His grip on the child, who clung to him in terror, tightened, and he battled to maintain consciousness.
"These arrows are laced with something," she whispered, her mind racing to understand what made them so distinct.
Malek weakly nodded, his breaths coming out in labored gasps, blood seeping out of his mouth.
"They're coated with some kind of venom. The pain...it's excruciating."
Her concern deepened, but Lowen couldn't allow her fear to show. She had to stay focused for her brother, even though his admission shook her. Malek was well-acquainted with enduring intense pain. For him to describe this agony as unbearable suggested that it could have easily proved fatal to a less resilient Fae.
"We'll take you back to the palace. The healers there will know how to treat this," she assured him.
"I'll winnow to Velaris and bring back Madja," Rhys stated before vanishing in an instant.
Malek struggled to remain conscious, his vision growing increasingly blurry as he fought to hold on. But he understood that he couldn't let go, not with Maren still in his arms. Gently, he withdrew her from her memories, bringing her back to the harsh present beside him.
"Malek, stay with me," Lowen implored, her voice firm as she continued to assess the dire situation.
She turned to the others, her voice catching in her throat as she addressed them.
"We need to get him back to the palace," Lowen urged, and Azriel and Cassian stepped forward, their expressions filled with concern as they assessed how best to assist Malek.
Feyre approached to collect Maren, but the little girl clung tightly to Malek, her eyes brimming with terror.
"No, I don't want to leave him!" Maren protested, her small voice trembling with fear.
Malek, despite his pain, summoned a reassuring smile.
"It's okay, Maren. They'll take good care of you. I promise."
With great reluctance, Maren allowed Feyre to gently lift her from Malek's arms. Feyre whispered soothing words to the frightened child as they made their way back to the palace together.
Azriel and Cassian worked together to help Malek to his feet, supporting his injured body. Lowen stayed close, determined to get him the help he needed. They slowly made their way back to the palace.
+
As they reached the palace gates, Azriel and Cassian rushed Malek into the courtyard through the back door, leading down to the expansive basement that had been converted to accommodate the townspeople there. Elain and Solomon were alerted by the commotion, and they hurried out to see what had happened. The sight of Malek, his body riddled with arrows and his face contorted in pain, sent Elain into a state of frantic distress.
YOU ARE READING
A Court of Ice and Starshine (Book II)
Fantasia"A Court of Ice and Starshine" picks up the enthralling narrative from where "A Court of Specters and Reapers" left off, delving into the lives of Lowen and Malek as they navigate the post-war worlds of Hybern and Velaris. In Hybern, Malek grapples...
