Chapter 10
TARLIA
The minimal freedom I had is over, I suppose, as I find myself in a locked room with barred windows, waiting for when either Mirella or Zorwal needs me, except that I’m starting to think they either forgot me or the plan is to keep me from hearing anything important.
It can’t be a coincidence that the windows in this room have bars, even though we’re so high up. I wonder if Zorwal is aware that I could technically climb these walls, even if in reality I wouldn’t be as foolish as to attempt it in a castle that can move at any given moment.
On the other hand, I could undo the door lock with my eyes closed. It’s something I practiced way too many times in the tower, except that I’m still bound to Zorwal by my word, so I don’t know what would happen if I were to leave this room. Where would I even go? What would I even do?
In a way, I’m relieved. If I kept hearing everything he said, I’d assume he’d only let me leave this place in a body bag. Like this, perhaps there’s a chance.
Chance for what? He still thinks Renel will come to rescue me, and I know he won’t. In fact, I hope he stays as far away from this castle as possible. It’s what I would do.
Of course, I’ll never discourage Zorwal from thinking Renel is madly in love with me, ready to attempt a gallant and absolutely futile rescue. An idiotic tale—that should keep me alive long enough to find a way out of here. On my own.
It’s funny that a few days ago, I was yearning for freedom, certain that the only way to achieve it would be with a large sum of money.
I was even willing to commit murder for it.
And yet I was free. Free, but couldn’t see it.
At the same time, being here, so close to Renel’s enemy, should perhaps count for something, even if I’m not sure what.
The reality is that scheming is a lot harder than what I was led to believe in my training in the Elite Tower. And then again, I’m alive, unharmed. I even have a comfortable bed, so I should be thankful.
A click on the door startles me and I sit down on the small table in the corner of the room. Mirella’s the one who enters, and I’m strangely happy that I’ll have something to do, even if it’s a task as stupid as doing her hair.
I stand up and bow my head slightly. “Yes?”
She closes the door behind her, then glances me up and down. “Do you want to help him? Your lover?”
“Which one?” I didn’t mean to sound flippant, but I guess I did.
Mirella chuckles. “Renel, of course. He’s safe, you know? Worried about you.”
Those words were obviously designed to please me, and yet she can’t lie, can she? “How do you know?”
“I don’t trust you enough to tell you. At least not yet.” She sits on the bed. “Now, I have a question for you. Would you like to listen to Zorwal’s conversation with a mysterious visitor?”
That has to be a trap. “It depends.”
“Sure. I don’t know how your deal with him works, but I’m going to assume you can’t contradict any direct order he gives you, but you’re also my maid, are you not?”
“I suppose.” At least it’s the role I’m playing.
“Imagine if you learned that he’s receiving this visitor soon. If I told you that you could roam the castle, and if you learned about a secret passage that lets you hear conversations in the council chamber, where Zorwal is, would you go there?”
I’m mostly wondering where she’s trying to lead me with her word knots. “I would wonder if your orders are a trap.”
“Not orders.” She shakes her head. “All I can ask you are mundane things. Help with my hair, with my clothes. Perhaps some company. I’d never order you to betray Zorwal’s trust. I don’t think I can even do that.
And you certainly could not obey such an order.
But… would you like to get to know some secret passages?
” She eyes me with what looks almost like childlike mischief.
I still don’t understand her intentions. “Is this a trap?”
She twirls a black lock of hair on her finger.
“For you? No. Secret passages are always dangerous, of course, but I won’t tell anyone where you went, and I do not want you to get caught or that any harm comes to you.
Still, if you happen to hear something..
uh… interesting, can you share it with me? ”
“Wouldn’t you want to hear the conversation yourself? That sounds much easier.”
“Zorwal might be able to trace my magic and find me. Now, humans with no magic cannot be traced. An advantage. Would you be interested in learning about secret passages and maybe hearing some secrets?”
“Are you planning on causing me any harm with this?”
“No. But if you’re caught where you shouldn’t be, I cannot help you, so you need to be careful.” She stares at me, her blue eyes wide. “And fast. He should be getting there right now.”
Well, isn’t that the opportunity I wanted? Still, I ask, “Can you promise you mean no harm?”
“I mean no harm to you at all. To be fair, if I could trust you, I could use an ally. Now, Zorwal, on the other hand, is always dangerous. You always need to be careful around him. But I’m not telling you to do anything, just asking questions.”
“Then show me this passage.”
ASTRA
The house has never been so full, and yet anxiety permeates every face as we convene in the kitchen.
We prepared salad with fish and vegetables that Nelsin insisted on bringing from some fae city, perhaps to have some time away from Ferer.
It makes me sad to see that they haven’t reconciled, but it’s true that they might need some time.
When lunch’s ready, we all sit down at the largest table, with the exception of Azur, who sits by himself.
Marlak looks cheerful and calm, but I know what kind of maelstrom might lie beneath his calm facade.
Can he even conjure fire? Can he use it and not fall deep into a disturbing memory from where he can’t escape?
Going to the Shadow Lands tomorrow feels hasty, but it’s either that or wait for the Witch King to become even stronger.
Zorwal’s magic is fading from my body, and slowly I’m losing my ability to perceive other people’s bodies and organs. Despite its despicable origin and how bizarre it can feel, it’s a wonderful kind of magic. But my light is good too, and I’ll have to use it.
When we finish eating, Marlak and Ziven use water magic to clean the dishes, and I head outside and find Azur sitting on a rock, watching the river, Lidiane sitting by him, close and yet so far.
At least they’re talking, which is helpful.
Even then, my heart hurts for them, for their fear, for the threat of death surrounding them.
“Azur,” I say. They both turn. “Can I see your hand?”
Clearly uncomfortable, he takes a shaky, deep breath, then removes one glove. The fingers are completely white, and some of the palm too.
I need to trust that my magic can help him, so I think about the Almighty Mother and imagine the purest light freeing Azur from that dreadful magic.
I don’t focus on his hands, but on his heart, then his entire body.
When I finish, I still see no difference, even if I feel that my magic did something.
Azur’s looking down, barely disguised sadness seeping from his every pore.
Well, I don’t blame him. “You don’t believe that my magic will work, do you?”
He huffs. “I wouldn’t be here, letting you waste your time and mine, if I didn’t think there was a chance.”
Lidiane leans over for a closer look at his hand. “It might have slowed down the spread. That’s helpful.”
Maybe. I’m not sure. What I’m thinking is that maybe the Heart of Magic could help, and yet I’d rather wait and only go there once the Witch King is dead.
Dead. My body chills with the fear that it can’t be that simple.
Still, I give them what I hope is a confident smile. “We’ll find a solution.”
Azur shakes his head. “I… don’t doubt you, Astra. What kills me is being useless. There’s so much I could be doing now, if it wasn’t for this.” He raises his ungloved, half-white hand.
“You saved us,” Lidiane says.
He snorts. “Just barely. A few seconds more, and we would all have ended up in the Shadow Lands, face to face with the Witch King.”
And that would have been disastrous—and yet I understand his desperation, why he felt he had to go to the castle.
We’ve been walking side by side with danger, missing it but just barely.
I sigh. “I’m glad you didn’t end up there.” Despite everything, I manage a light chuckle. “I’ll be back to try to use more light magic on your hand. If it slows the spread, it will be worth it. Time might be just what we need.”
I turn around and walk away from them, hurting to think what it must be like to be close and yet unable to share a single touch. At least it won’t last forever—if Marlak succeeds.
My breath pauses. So much hangs on his power, on his magic.
The magic he dreads the most.
I find my husband in the kitchen, drinking cold-brewed tea with Ferer and Nelsin. Those two are sitting as far as they can, and don’t look anywhere close to a reconciliation. I hope time will heal them. For now, I need some time with Marlak.
“Do you have a moment?” I ask him.
His eyebrows shoot up. “Something wrong?”
“No.” I’m not sure how exactly to say it. “I just… want to show you something—unless you’re still discussing…”
Nelsin smirks. “Our plan is tight. Planning is always the easier part. The doing is where it gets hard.”
I laugh, and even though I’d like to tell him that he should do something else with Ferer, I bite down the words. All I do is take Marlak’s hand, pull him to the hallway, then all the way to our bedroom, and close the door behind us.
He cups my face with both hands, worry clear in his eyes. “What is it?”
“I promised you something,” I whisper. Marlak narrows his eyes, his expression thoughtful, and I add, “And you forgot!”
“I did not.” And yet he stares at me with a puzzled expression that clearly contradicts his words.
“Then tell me what it is.” I dare him.