I look up at the rope that has him partially suspended above the ground. I pull out the knife Matvei had given me and start cutting through the stubborn bonds.
It takes my full effort to saw through the thick rope, but eventually, the last thread parts and Phoenix collapses to the ground. He groans, but swats away my offer of a hand up to stand on his own power.
Even beaten, even bloodied, even dragged to death’s doorstep, he looks magnificent.
“Who’s with you?” he says in the low, rasping voice that makes my blood run hot even now.
A lump forms in my throat. “Konstantin…”
“Good. Where is he…?”
“Dead,” I say with a catch in my voice. “I’m sorry. It happened when we were trying to get in here. He saved me.”
I grab hold of him, wanting to make sure he’s really here, really with me. He
