Mellony slumped forward, and Micah caught her, lifting her.

“Take her,” Raisa said.

“I’ll be back.” Wrapping them both in a shroud of magic, Micah disappeared into the flames.

“Mellony’s free. Let’s go,” Raisa said, stepping up beside Han. He was still furiously fighting back the flames, but he looked drained, almost haggard, his gestures increasingly disorganized.

“Micah will come back for you,” he said, not looking at her. “Go with him. I’ll follow.”

“Let’s go now,” Raisa said.

He didn’t answer, and suspicion kindled in her. “You don’t have enough flash left to get through, do you?” she said. “You’re not confident you can put up a shield.”

“I can get myself through, just not both of us,” Han said. “Once I know you’re safe, I promise I’ll come.” He was usually a fine liar. It was evidence of his weariness that she could see right through this one.

Micah reappeared, his magical boundaries already fraying under the assault of the flame.

“Go with Micah,” Han repeated. “I’ll follow.”

“No,” Raisa said. “Micah, take Han now and come back for me.”

“Bayar!” Han said, his voice edged. “Make her go with you, all right? You’ve done it before. Don’t go all squeamish on me now.”

Micah looked from Han to Raisa, then struck like a snake, scooping Raisa into his arms and pressing her against him. She kicked and struggled, then felt the buzz of magic against her skin, immobilizing her.

I’m no longer wearing Hanalea’s ring, she realized. Micah’s wearing it. And I’m wearing his. She looked down at her hand, then up in time to see Han’s eyes follow hers, tightening in pain.

No. Oh, no. Han must think that Micah and I…

Micah draped his cloak over her face, and they plunged through the wall of flame. Heat seared her skin, brilliance beat against her eyelids. She held her breath to avoid sucking in flame, and then they were through, and she was gasping in great lungfuls of relatively cooler air.

Micah strode on, away from the torrent of flame that encircled Han Alister. He walked on, down the nave, as if he meant to walk right out of the temple, but came face-to-face with Nightwalker.

“Put her down, jinxflinger,” Nightwalker said. “We’ve cleared the temple, but the entire army of Arden is outside, and we need you on the doors.”

Micah seemed reluctant to let go even then, as if he knew it would be the last time he’d hold Raisa in his arms. Finally, grudgingly, he set her down on her feet and disabled the charm.

She ripped free of his grasp. “Go back after Han,” she ordered, her voice low and furious. “Do it. Now. I won’t let him burn.”

“He said he’d come on his own,” Micah said. “You heard him.”