Chapter 25 #2
I watch for a moment as she wanders back to the others, seemingly oblivious to the reeking, dead wyvern surrounding her, the chaos in the stands and the ruby red fireworks crackling in the air.
Then I walk through the door, closing it behind myself, closing it on the Trials for good, and step into a narrow tunnel.
I can hear the muffled voice of the commentator in the arena, scrambling to hold the crowd’s attention as he proclaims Skylan the victor.
I huff a small, humourless laugh, shaking my head.
The ruling council will be vicious in their revenge.
But I believe the damage to our world would have been far greater if I had won and stayed their captive to manipulate.
Now, there will be no violent storms throughout the Straits.
Their plans to dominate the sea route, to control the flow of goods and wealth around the continent has failed.
Tomorrow I will pay the price. But today, I am victorious.
I step out of the tunnel leading to the outer arena walls, into the fields surrounding Highborn. And standing there are Brielle, Pearl and Agnes. I did see Brielle in the stands. Sember chose excellent accomplices indeed for our rescue.
I choke on a sob as Agnes covers her mouth before we run to each other.
I hold her so tight and don’t ever want to let go as I cry into her hair and she cries into mine.
There were moments over the past weeks when I didn’t know if we’d escape.
If I’d ever be able to free her. And that day in the throne room eclipses my vision.
Hastily, I push it away, suppressing a shudder and remind myself that she’s here.
We’re both free. My sister in all but blood is in my arms, heart still beating.
I wrench her away from me, checking over every inch of her as she does the same to me.
‘I didn’t know if you were still alive, if you’d been killed in the Trials—’
‘I can’t believe we got out. I thought—’
We both laugh and hug again as Brielle clears her throat. I look up and smile at her, my former hunter, now my friend. I walk to her and Pearl, hugging them both. ‘Thank you,’ I say, throat scratchy and thick from unshed tears. ‘For saving Agnes. For saving me.’
‘We found a little help in an unlikely place. Well, more than one, actually,’ Brielle says, lifting her chin as she looks over my shoulder. I turn to find a man standing there, someone who looks all too similar to the men of the ruling council. ‘This is Rue. An ambassador for the ruling council.’
He crosses his arms, watching me. ‘That was quite the display.’
‘No thanks to the people you work for,’ I reply. ‘Why are you helping us?’
His smile is soft as he glances at Brielle, then back at me. ‘Let’s just say I’ve seen the whole picture now.’
In a flurry of motion two witches appear a few feet away, and I grip my blade, ready in a heartbeat to fight. The one on the left is Hira, but I don’t let down my guard. The other one has to be another witch from her coven, and their Malefant is no friend of mine.
‘Stand down, fierce one,’ Hira says with a sigh. ‘Shayle and I helped Brielle get you out.’
‘So that’s what you’ve been doing, instead of preparing me and Kell?’ I ask. ‘Or was there another reason for your absence?’
Her mouth twists. ‘I apologise. We needed to confirm what you’d told me and when we realised the repercussions of the ruling council holding you …’
‘They knew they had to act. Possibly against the wishes of the Malefant,’ Brielle says. ‘I don’t expect you to trust them, truly, Mira. I just ask that you trust me and Pearl.’ She turns back to Hira as I nod. ‘What of the wards around Highborn?’
‘Down for the moment,’ Shayle says at Hira’s side. ‘But where is Kell?’
‘Prince Heath of Skylan has engaged his services,’ I say.
‘Well,’ Shayle says and whistles, ‘I had better inform Helene.’
‘It was his choice,’ I say with a shrug. ‘I wouldn’t have let him go otherwise.’
There’s a rumble of shouts from inside the arena, as though the guards are entering the tunnel running underneath where I’ve just exited. Rue turns to look before fixing his gaze on Brielle. ‘It’s time.’
She hesitates for a moment, before striding up to him. They whisper together and her eyes widen as he smiles, her hand brushing against his. A faint blush colours her cheeks. Then she blinks rapidly, turning away from him to face the hunters of her old coven. ‘Hira, Shayle. Thank you.’
They both utter a witch word and vanish. Then Brielle comes over to the three of us, ensures we’re all holding her hand or arm, and with the witch word, Traversa, the ground falls away from beneath me.
We land in a heap in the hallway of Ennor Castle, Amma there instantly to greet us. Kai barrels for Agnes, scooping her into his arms, and I have to look away when they kiss.
‘Finally! I thought that would never happen,’ Pearl mutters to me, and I smile. Then Pearl’s face lights up as Merryam runs in, kissing her on the lips and holding her close before turning to embrace me.
‘I knew they’d get you out, but I’m sorry it took so long, my friend,’ she says into my hair, her hold on me tightening. ‘If they hurt you …’
‘They didn’t,’ I murmur, relaxing into her hug, her friendship. ‘Only my pride and a few bruises. But I have to ask you, is he … did he?’ I swallow. ‘Did he make it back?’
Merryam pulls away slightly, looking at me, her features falling. ‘Mira …’
‘They’ll think twice before taking on an islander now!’ Kai says, clapping me on the shoulder.
I glance up at him, releasing Merryam, finding a grin brighter than the June sun on his face and I nod to him. ‘That they will. Those mainlanders don’t know a thing.’
He grips my shoulder and bends low to whisper. ‘Thank you. For not giving up. For bringing Agnes back. I am your brother, always, Mira. Always.’
My throat thickens, tears stinging my eyes just as Caden thunders in, relief on his features as he picks me up in a bear hug. ‘Thank skies.’
Tanith and Joby appear and I start crying again, hugging them too, so utterly grateful that I’m here, that they’re all here. That we’re all alive.
Then I look over their heads, expecting to see Lowri.
And him. But when they don’t appear, even when Maggie bounds up, licking my face and nudging her great shaggy head at my chest, I turn to Caden in confusion.
And when I find his face falling into lines of worry, just as Merryam’s has, panic seizes every inch of me.
‘Where are they, Caden?’ I ask, dread cracking open my chest. ‘Where’s Eli?’
Caden opens his mouth, then closes it again, shaking his head. Everyone around us stills.
‘They haven’t returned, Mira,’ Tanith says quietly. ‘I’m so sorry. We believe they may be lost to us, trapped in another world.’