Chapter 59
When I woke up the next day, my head pounded and my eyes were heavy as if I hadn’t slept at all. But there was movement outside my tent, and so I rubbed my face and rose from the furs that functioned as a bed.
Sleepy as I was, I glowered at the clothes—and I was using this term in the broadest sense—the Doitean had given me so I wouldn’t melt in the merciless heat of the Breocharn.
Sighing, I donned the leather loincloth.
The garment was tinted in a brown so dark the color could pass as black in the right light, and the belt wound low around my hips, with two longer panels of animal hide in the front and back.
Nothing I would have considered problematic in the past, but at yesterday’s banquet, a nagging feeling had urged me to cover up amongst all these strangers.
Developing a sense of propriety hadn’t been something I’d ever expected, and yet, here I was.
Showing off something that belonged only to my female seemed wrong.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I groaned.
Nayana was complicating my life, but still, I didn’t mind at all.
Putting her first had become a natural reaction.
Finally, I shook myself out of my brooding stupor and exited the guest tent, only to run into Lasair. The chieftain approached me, carrying a small leather pouch in her hand.
“High Prince Dionadair.”
My eyebrow rose at the sudden formality we’d left behind yesterday.
“Apologies. Dion.”
Smiling, I nodded. “Yes, Lasair?”
“The deed is done. Our best crafter worked the entire night to create the replica of the firestone, and she succeeded. There are differences, but they’re so faint, only someone as fine-tuned to the energy as I am can perceive them.”
Lasair dropped the pouch into my hands, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to inspect the copy.
Last night, after countless courses of native food—though I opted out of drinking the alcohol—the Doitean had shown me the real firestone as a token of faith, an act that had surprised me to no end.
If the gem had been my ancient relic tied to the survival of my people, I would have kept me far away and guarded the treasure more heavily than usual.
One glance at the dupe was enough to recognize how well the bauble resembled the original. “It’s perfect and should fool Galrach for a while.”
A weight fell from my chest as I eased the shiny solution to my problem back into the satchel.
“We are thankful you decided to walk the high road. May you continue traveling this path from here on, friend of the Doitean.”
Well, it was more than questionable that I’d follow her advice, or rather, impossible. Doing the right thing because I believed in the cause hadn’t turned me into a saint or changed the fact that I usually didn’t care about something so trivial as the so-called sanctity of life.
Although I had to admit, being titled a friend by one of the ancients was feeding my ego, and I didn’t even attempt to stop preening.
“Of course, our hospitality doesn’t end here. If you’re in need of more rest before facing the Breocharn again, you are free to stay as long as you desire.”
“That’s a very generous offer, Lasair, but my departure has to be imminent. My magic recovered enough to traverse the fire fields unharmed.”
“As you wish. You will find your horse prepared and your bags filled with rations. Everything will be ready so you can leave within the hour.”
Nodding, I returned to my tent with every intention of packing my belongings and storing away the fake firestone as safely as I could.
But as I approached my bag, the back of my neck prickled, so I glanced over my shoulder and was surprised to discover that the chieftain had followed me. “Anything else?”
“Yes. But this conversation is for you and me only.”
I tipped my head to the side in question, the motion supposed to encourage her to proceed.
“Your powers.”
“What about them?”
“Did you always have problems containing your magic?”
What the fuck? My face blanked as my mind morphed into a landscape of turmoil. How could she know? Yes, I’d struggled yesterday, but I was sure that nothing had leaked out. “I have no problems.” Not often, at least.
Lasair stared at me, and her eyes penetrated my very soul.
“Young Dion, I mean you no disrespect, even if my advice might be unwanted. I can sense that your control is slipping. And there will come a time when the chains you cling to will break. Some things are not meant to be contained. And there are urgent questions you should find your answers to, and fast. Will you fight against yourself? Or accept the consequences of actions you never had a say in?”
With every spoken word, the frown on my forehead deepened.
Even though my entire being bristled at some of her sentiments, the dark sense of foreboding I usually ignored hit me full force.
Worse, I didn’t even understand half of her ramblings.
“Lasair, I’m not fluent in cryptic. So, I need you to elaborate. ”
The chieftain regarded me with ancient knowledge in her gaze, which stirred something deep within me, but then she sighed. “I cannot. But if you seek an explanation, consider visiting Bas.”
“Bas?”
“Sometimes, a pilgrimage can be enlightening and uncover buried truths.”
My head was spinning, and annoyance at the unnecessary secrecy spread through my insides.
Yes, almost all fae went on a journey of self-discovery at one point during their first few centuries, but I’d abstained from such a nuisance. Why should I have wasted my time? There had never been the need to broaden my horizon. My place in life had been set, so why bother?
And setting out on a mission now? In this situation? Also— “What will I find at the haunted peak?”
“A chance to fix a broken part of you. Hence my recommendation to seek out Bas, and soon.”
A growl formed in my throat. Broken part, my ass.
Still, I swallowed down my rising temper.
I wasn’t damaged.
Or—
Maybe she’d hinted at—
What if her mysterious message showed me a way to mend whatever Galrach had done to me all those winters ago? Perhaps in heeding her advice, I could repair the altered part of my magic so my grandfather wouldn’t be protected anymore?
That must be the reason—and the solution.
After all, there was nothing else wrong that needed fixing.
And if one of the oldest beings alive aside from the gods and godlings pointed me to a chance to remove what clung to me like a curse, I’d be stupid to discard the suggestion outright, no matter how vague she’d been.
The following day, I was still alive, which I considered a win under these circumstances.
My eyes were rimmed red and puffy, and my hair was a tangled mess resembling a bird’s nest. Last night, before I’d cried myself to sleep, I hadn’t bothered taking out the pins Thain had used to style my tresses for the ball.
Between sleeping the whole night like that and Danartha’s treatment yesterday, only thoroughly caring for my locks might help them, and I didn’t have the patience.
Safety before vanity.
According to the weird timepiece on the wall—Fig had taught me how to read the device that I’d formerly assumed to be art—the time until my coach left was limited, and so I hurried to get dressed.
As I tied the laces of my gown into a knot, the door chimes rang—about fifteen minutes too early. My stomach churned, and my mind careened against my will, but still, I grabbed my bag. After I’d dragged the chair away that blocked the exit, I peered outside.
“Miss Ortha? I’m here to pick you up and accompany you to the coach for your excursion.”
Examining the servant, who glanced around nervously and who’d only spoken in a hushed whisper, I came to the conclusion that I’d never met him before.
The uniform he wore wasn’t the same as the one the chamberlains donned, and on top of all, he wasn’t unfriendly.
My heavy-beating heart calmed down a little.
“One moment.”
Yes, the sooner I escaped Alaiann Palace, the better, but the minute it took to scribble down a note for Dion was necessary.
My words aimed to soothe him, alerting him that I was safe thanks to our friends, so that he wouldn’t frenzy or worry, and I promised him we’d meet each other again real soon.
And then I left Dion’s quarters behind.
Outside, a magnificent white coach stood waiting, and relief flooded me as the servant led me there.
The plan had worked, and I was about to leave the palace. I was safe at last.
Or, almost.
The curtains of the coach were drawn, and an anxious spike shot through me, but I squared my shoulders, gripped my bag tighter, and approached the door. The servant opened the vehicle, and after a curt nod of thanks, I climbed aboard, praying I wouldn’t be caught in a trap.
The door closed, and relief barreled into me with the force of Estos, the godling of destruction, as I recognized the male lounging inside. “Cantarlann.”
“Darling, I’m relieved you’ve made it.”
Laughter bubbled out of my throat, more hysterical than anything else, but I put my luggage on the bench and took a seat across from him. “You’re the one who agreed to take me away from Alaiann.”
“Yes, dear. After those threats, letting you remain at the palace would have been irresponsible.”
“Aren’t you afraid of the High King’s retaliation if he ever found out about your involvement?”
“Not particularly. We’ll be traveling fast, and once we arrive at our destination, even Galrach can’t touch us.”
A heavy weight fell off my chest, and for the first time since Dion had left, I was able to relax. “Thank you, Cantarlann. Even though this sounds exaggerated, I believe you possibly saved my life.”
“Maybe.”
Allowing myself to sink deeper into the seating, I rested my head on the soft, cream-colored pillow behind me.
The whole interior of the coach was light and exquisite, the bench under me beyond comfortable, and heaviness spread through my limbs.
The drapes in front of the window were closed, and their fabric had the same color as the upholstery.
“Alaiann is not a safe place for a human, especially not for one who has earned the scorn of the High King. But don’t be afraid, I’ll take you home, where it’s secure.”
“We’re going to the Cuirt an Ghra?”
“You remember the name?”
“Of course. Thain lived there, and Antas has ties to your court too. And just because Dion is prejudiced, doesn’t mean I can’t be open-minded.”
“I never said you wouldn’t be, sweetling.”
Nodding, I smiled at the older male. But suddenly, anxiety hit me in the chest with such intensity that the sensation cut through me like a thousand knives. “At the ball or after—I haven’t heard anything from my friends. Do you know whether they’re safe? Antas, Thain, Fig, and Ireas?”
“Yes, they are. Galrach kept them busy with guard duties and other tasks.”
“Even Antas?”
“Yes. An order is an order.”
“But they’re fine?”
“As far as I’ve heard, they are.”
Relief flooded me, and despite having only woken up an hour ago, exhaustion pulled at my insides and crawled through my brain. “Would you mind…if I slept some more?”
“No, darling. You rest, and I’ll guarantee your safety.”
Sending a smile to Cantarlann, I closed my eyes, and within seconds, I sank into a deep slumber—the first real one in a long time.