VALIK POV
The building ahead of us erupted in flames.
I threw myself around Maethys, pulling her against my chest as heat tore across my back.
The force of it shoved us sideways.
Glass shattered. Wood cracked. Something heavy hit the ground nearby hard enough to make the dirt jump beneath my boots.
For one breath, she was all I felt.
Her hands locked in my shirt.
Her body shaking.
Her scent spiking with fear.
My jaw clenched.
I pulled back just enough to look at her.
Her eyes were wide. Too wide. Smoke already catching in them.
“Stay with me,” I said.
She nodded, but her breath came too fast, eyes darting around.
I caught her chin before I thought better of it, holding her focus on me while the fire roared behind us.
“Maethys. Stay with me.”
This time, she nodded like she h
