Chapter 8 #3
“We brought back everything.” I turned to Vyraetos.
“Pain relievers. Blood restoratives. And several types of medicine.” I refocused on Thalira.
“Some of the medicine will help with the pain as well as blood restoration.” I set the last satchel down near her feet.
“Vyraetos will take care of you. Is there boiling water?”
One of Morlo’s staple remedies had been red tea infused with a hazelnut base and whatever additional ingredients and elements he’d deemed necessary for his patient.
“Water has been boiled, and everyone had some tea. More is heating now,” Myantha said, appearing on the other side of Briar.
Her gaze flicked to Thalen and then back to us.
“Do you need help with anything?” Briar shook her head as Myantha flung her arms around Thalen.
“I was so worried about you.” Her voice was muffled by his shoulder.
Thalen parted his lips like he wanted to say something witty, but no words came. He hugged her back, nuzzling his face against her neck.
Elias bumped into a shelf and swayed, as if he didn’t know what to do with himself. His hands slid against his trousers, searching for pockets that weren’t there.
Quen’s eyes flashed, and she went to him. “Come on. You’re with me.” She didn’t wait for an answer, just gripped his hand and guided him to sit near Thalira. “What do you need? Food? Water? Rest? Heat?”
“I—” He blinked and stared at her, wide-eyed, as she crouched and pressed her palm just beneath his jaw.
Quen tilted her head. “You’re cold, and your pulse is thready. My other patient is in better hands now, so you’re all mine.”
He leaned back against the wall, but his expression flickered between alarm and confusion… and something else. “Oh?”
I left them to it and checked on Elara as Vyraetos prepared the medication. Silus had curled his big frame around my sister.
Elara propped herself on one elbow as Silus steadied her with one hand. “I’m feeling better.” Her voice was weak, but the fire in her eyes burned bright. She reached for my hand.
I took it and rubbed my thumb over her icy knuckles.
She was lying. We both knew it. But sometimes we needed the lie more than the truth. She would be fine in time, and I’d buy her that time as long as I could. I’d lost more than enough. She wouldn’t be counted among the dead.
Forcing a smile, I nodded. “Good. When the time comes, I want you there with me so we can spill these traitors’ blood together.”
Her brow furrowed as she squeezed my hand tighter. “When it’s time to kill them, I will be there. I will take their lives for Father’s. I want to feel the heat of their blood on my hands and see it spill across the stones.”
Silus’s hand splayed on her shoulder. Pride flashed in his dark eyes, along with protectiveness.
“Father will be avenged. All who have fallen will be avenged,” I vowed, and then turned to Silus. We might have clashed before, but I knew he’d hold the line. “Any warning signs while we were gone?”
Silus shook his head. “Nothing serious. Except…” His brow pinched.
“What?” I pressed.
He scowled. Elara gave him a small nod, urging him on.
His jaw clenched. “When I was checking the eastern side of the onyx cellar, down near the stone door, I heard screams. Faint but clear. Someone pleaded with them not to put her in there. She said she was the Sylvan princess and offered a deal, but they laughed at her.”
“The old dungeons.” I scowled. My father had had them sealed for a reason. Those pits were worse than Firellan’s Spine. “We found a young Aquen princess’s shoes. It looked as if she’d been dragged away.” I held his gaze. “We need to get out of here, find allies, and form a strategy.”
“They’ll be watching the main entrances and exits.” Silus pursed his lips. “We should assume they’ll cover the roads as well.”
My plan took shape. We would leave through the tunnels and climb into the mountains.
But first, we had to stabilize the injured enough to survive the journey.
The timing would be tight. The river beneath the palace held fresh water but also connected to a brackish river along the sea.
At this time of year, tides could make the lower tunnels deadly.
Elara and Thalira had little chance of survival right now, but come morning, things might be different.
“Right now, everyone needs rest and food. If you haven’t eaten, do it. ”
Morning would be for decisions. Assessing our wounded, our resources, and our chances.
After settling on watch shifts and confirming that the run bags would be finished, I snagged a few handfuls of dried meat and assessed everyone.
Thalira and Elara were sipping their medicinal teas.
Rhielle and Veralt had settled in one of the corners of the room.
Quen was chatting with Elias, and Myantha and Thalen had disappeared, but they’d be back soon enough.
Vyraetos was just returning with a steaming bowl of broth in his hands.
Its only real virtue was that it was hot.
Briar stood near the center of the low-ceilinged room, brow furrowed and thumb rubbing her bicep.
Concern flared through our bond.
“What’s wrong, beloved?” I went to her at once.
Worry etched her face. “Where’s Many-Greats? My grandfather? He’s gone.” She fidgeted with the neckline of her wedding gown.
A cold spasm cut through me. Bryn was gone?
Had the old man betrayed us?