Chapter Twenty-One Garrick
Chapter Twenty-One
Garrick
It’d been years since I’d ventured so close to the forest’s border, and I didn’t relish the reminder of how painful it was.
But Riela’s agonized screams still rang in my ears, and in those moments, I would’ve done nearly anything to make them stop.
Now she was too still and too quiet in my arms, and I wanted to smash something.
Starting with Feylan’s face.
Roseguard had seen an opening and taken it. Despite my attempt to hide our trail, he’d sent several powerful soldiers after
us, including one of his captains. That bastard had tried to lure Riela with magic while I’d been dealing with his troops,
and my only regret was that I hadn’t killed him slower.
Especially after I’d seen her bloody hand.
I marched grimly onward. I had a hidden camp nearby where we would be safe for the night. A trip through the ether while also
fighting the burn of the forest’s curse would do Riela no good. I could shield her only up to a point, and my magic was already
low.
Rest would do us both good, as much as I hated to admit it.
The rocky outcropping was a natural part of the landscape, but the room hidden inside was not. I shifted Riela around until I could press a hand on the stone, then with a bit of magic and a few steps, we were inside.
Grim flopped into his usual spot while I used a precious bit of magic to light the sconces and remove the dust. The cavern
was small, with just enough room for a bed, table, chair, and tiny bathroom.
The bed was wide enough for both of us, but it would be a close fit.
I settled Riela on the edge of the mattress, and she blinked at the room with a frown. “Where are we?”
Her voice was a hoarse whisper, and I clenched my jaw against the fresh wave of anger, this time at myself. I should’ve warned
her to be careful, but she’d made it farther than I’d expected. I’d foolishly hoped she would be able to make it out.
She hadn’t, and I very nearly hadn’t been able to reach her.
“We’re safe,” I said. “We’ll rest here tonight, then return to the castle tomorrow.”
“What about King Roseguard?”
“He can’t reach us here.” It was the truth, but I didn’t tell her that Feylan’s soldiers would likely set up an ambush outside.
There was no reason to worry her with possibilities.
She nodded, then her lip wobbled and she looked up at me with pleading eyes. “Why couldn’t I leave?” she whispered.
“You have too much magic.” I saw the instant the idea entered her head, and while I hated to smash her hopes, this was information
she needed. “You can’t give it away. It’s part of you. The only way you’ll leave the forest is through death.”
Her shoulders hunched, but she asked, “Could I go to Lohka?”
“Yes. If the door opened, you have enough magic to make the trip.”
She nodded slowly, and a little of her spark returned. “After we kill the Blood King, will you take me?”
“I will take you wherever you’d like,” I agreed softly, and there was a troubling amount of truth in the words.