Chapter 28 #2
Something streaks along the ridge overhead, darting across the mountain like a fast-moving silver stream.
There’s a clenching in my chest as the frostfangs pause, lifting their snouts to scent the air.
Even at this distance I can see ribs through their matted fur.
My hand moves to my sword too; sweat-slicked palm slipping against the pommel.
Hungry wolves are dangerous wolves. The cragstalkers raise their heads from their gory spoils.
Hackles rise, tufted ears twitch. If the frostfangs attack, we’ll be hard-pressed to defend against so many, even with the cats’ support.
We wait. We watch. More whines, some snuffling, and several lowered heads, but then something scampers in the higher territory, sending scree waterfalling down the ridge. Another hare? Whatever it is, it captures the pack’s attention. They surge after it, sleek-footed, as one.
I release another slow breath.
‘Dodged an arrow ourselves there, Peacock,’ Blayze whispers, as the last frostfang fades from view.
I relax my grip on my sword and wait for my pulse to slow to its normal rhythm before following Blayze down the mountain, the cragstalkers and Serafine at our heels.
That was close. Too close for my liking. It’s possible they’ve been tracking us for some time. Now we know frostfangs are near, have likely already caught our scent, we’ll have to be more careful.
Once we cross through Talini’s lolling gates, Blayze peers through the windows of every abandoned building we pass. ‘I told Mar we should search the city for anything that might come in useful. Candles, blankets, rope… We could start now?’
I look to the palace domes again.
‘Can’t keep away?’ Blayze scoffs. ‘For what it’s worth, I think Orthriel’s wrong. She’ll weather this. Curse aside, she’s brave. Strong too.’ The fierce glint that sparks in his eyes as he says this takes me aback.
Blayze is still talking as we make our way back to the palace, but I’m only half-listening.
My insides are churning. I don’t like the way his face lit up when he spoke about Leilani.
The way he casually mentioned her powers like a blemish irks me too.
It’s how I always felt about her brandmagic myself, but something’s changed.
Maybe it was watching her face down the hoarclaw…
Her powers are fearsome, yes, but they’re also breathtaking.
What’s a star to do, if not shine? Blayze would have her dimmed, her powers curtailed – as Hyperion kept her shrouded.
As Hyperion kept her small. That’s not what I want for her.
But what’s the alternative? I think of the way she brought down that mountain.
Of the guards lying buried beneath it. Orthriel’s parting words echo my mind like the doleful refrain of plague horns.
Stars are only visible thanks to the darkness of the Veil. There’s comfort in that thought. Balance must be maintained, in this as in all things. I have to trust – to hope – Leilani finds that balance. That she doesn’t slip so deep into Shadow that we lose her forever.
‘… it might be better to wait,’ Blayze says.
I frown, having missed the first half of this exchange.
‘I only mean,’ he goes on, ‘after the shambles in the ballroom, you might be better off saving any grand declarations till after this is over. Starting something on a journey like this is a recipe for disaster. We’re carrying the weight of the realms on our shoulders; there’s too much pressure. Emotions are running sky-high.’
‘Does Maris subscribe to this principle too?’ I swipe back, steering the conversation to safer ground.
He shrugs. ‘Mar and I have an understanding. She’s beautiful, and she’s got spirit. I like that in a person. She knows who she is. But we’ve made no promises to each other beyond enjoying each other’s company. People have needs, you know…’
I twist away in disgust.
He claps a meaty hand on my shoulder. ‘My mistake. Saving yourself for your binding night, eh, Peacock?’
I shake myself loose. ‘None of your concern, Arcuri.’
He holds his hands up. ‘Only yanking your chain. Can’t help myself when you make it so flaming easy. But my logic is sound. No one can trust what they’re feeling at the moment.’
This time it’s Blayze who glances over to the palace.
‘About that…’ I shift my weight, looking anywhere but at him. ‘That oath you swore, the vow you made. I release you from it.’
The Clanschief stops in his tracks, whirls to face me.
‘I owe you my life – Serafine’s too. And she’s the most important thing in the four realms to me.
’ He cranes his neck, watching as the emberwing flashes overhead like a second comet.
‘You’re bound by your own codes of honour – I know this about you.
So, you’ll understand why I’m keeping my word. ’
There’s a pause as our eyes lock. At length, I nod. Accepting his pledge.
‘Doesn’t mean I like you though,’ he says, starting for the palace again.
‘Sworn enemies still?’
Blayze snorts. ‘Prefer rivals, myself.’
‘Rivals, then.’
‘Till the realms end, Peacock. Till the realms end.’
It’s meant as a joke, yet the words wound; the whole exchange is strangely whetted. Its sharp edges slicing at suspicions I can’t yet name and don’t want to examine too closely.