Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
ALINA
Ipaced the room for hours straight. At first, the sky remained coal black just like the darkest pigment in a set of watercolors.
Then the intense shade started to slowly water down with a light purple hue.
The morning stars already dusted the horizon but I was still as lost as ever.
For hours I talked to myself; formulating plans, pleading and arguing with invisible opponents.
What Sage suggested was a solid plan, perhaps the only reasonable solution, but I knew Tynan would never agree to it.
I knew he would hate the idea of running.
Another hour passed while I stared out the window, not seeing the beauty of the ever changing shades in the morning sky. When a knock came from the door, I shuddered, too overwhelmed, too exhausted to think straight. The key turned in the lock, and a moment later, May stepped into the room.
“Milady?” she called quietly.
I just stared at her, unable to think clearly after a whole day of debilitating, soul crushing pressure that was squeezing the life out of me, minute by minute. There were no good solutions, all I had was a tiny sliver of hope.
“Yes, May? Is something wrong?”
“Sage wants to know your decision.”
I glanced at Tynan. His face relaxed, his breathing steady and peaceful. The deep, reviving sleep was how his body was recovering from the multiple wounds and immense blood loss. He was getting better, but he was still too weak.
“Milady?”
May’s voice returned me to reality.
“What’s going on outside?” I asked.
“More warriors arrived. They demand to see the clan leader. They threaten to storm the castle if he doesn’t come out to greet them.” May lowered her gaze.
So this is what it came down to. Everything Sage had warned me about came to pass. My remaining options were evaporating into thin air. If I wanted to get Tynan out of the city, I had to do it now, before the sun was all the way up. It could already be too late.
“What would be your orders, milady?” May asked.
I only looked at her, stupefied; so emotionally drained that I was unable to process even my own thoughts.
“Milady?”
May’s voice just barely pierced through my thoughts. I clenched the fabric of my shawl so hard that a sharp pain exploded in my knuckles.
“Milady?”
I will be gambling with both our lives, there could be no doubts.The time had come to make a decision.
“Milady?”
“Tell Sage we’re staying.” I was surprised my voice did not falter as I met the gaze of my maid.