eyes bright as stars. “Live, Manon.”
Manon blinked.
Asterin smiled wider, kissed Manon’s
brow, and whispered again, “Live.”
Manon didn’t see the blow coming.
The punch to her gut, so hard and precise
that it knocked the wind from her. Sent her to
her knees.
She was struggling to get a breath down, to
get up, when Asterin reached Narene and
mounted the blue mare, gathering the reins.
“Bring our people home, Manon.”
Manon knew then. What they were going to
do.
Her legs failed her, her body failed her, as
she tried to get to her feet. As she rasped,
“No.”
But Asterin and the Thirteen were already
in the skies.
Already in formation, that battering ram
lily
(lily)
#1