32. Chapter 32
The sun rose in the east, casting them in its soft, morning light.
A bird chirped nearby, blissfully unaware of the pivotal moment occurring.
Yareli shifted on her feet, wrapping her cloak snug around her body.
Bri stood at the head of the group, dressed in her travel garb.
Since Hale refused to send more scouts to tail Tuom, Augrys had asked Bri.
It hadn’t sat right with Yareli, and she had argued with Augrys.
“Hale’s men may not have been your friends, but they had loved ones too,” he had said.
“Bri is one of the best spies in Izmari. Believe in her skills and believe that she will return to us safely. Despite your insistence to participate in the festival, getting you home is still my top priority. We need this intel.”
“Going home won’t do me any good if you lose and my home is invaded shortly after,” she had retorted.
They had stared at one another, each refusing to back down until Augrys sighed. “Bri had every opportunity to say no. That she didn’t speaks of her care for you.”
Not wanting to dismiss her friend’s gesture, Yareli had stopped arguing, but the truth hung over her.
Her focus should be on returning home, not helping the Keepers.
It was a precarious situation, however, and she would take risks to guarantee her world’s safety just as Bri was risking hers for Yareli.
A shiver ran down her spine; they were due to leave for the Fire Court tomorrow.
After Augrys sent a letter accepting Allyah’s terms, they received an immediate response stating the date and time they were to present themselves for the festival.
The week had flown by, and now, she stood on the mountaintop at dawn, observing as Augrys instructed Bri.
“Make sure you don’t miss a check-in. Pull out if you sense you’ve been discovered. No unnecessary risks, but I doubt you’ll listen.” He shook his head. “Stay alive.”
Leo was next; he drew her into a hug. “See ya in a bit.”
Yareli waddled up to her, clutching her cloak tightly as if it could ward off what was to come. She had thought of what she’d say to her, but nothing had felt appropriate. Bri was off to hunt a predator, and all she could do was believe in her. So she said, “Be safe.”
Cuidate.
Bri smiled, palming her cheek. “You, too.” Then, in a whisper, she added, “Remember you’re stronger than you think. You’ll win.”
Yareli’s throat tightened, and she nodded vigorously. Her voice was hoarse when she said, “Thanks.”
She shuffled away, kicking Erick’s foot as she passed him. He refused to meet her gaze, and she hissed, “Go.”
He pursed his lips, but he went, exchanging words with Bri. She didn’t hear what they said, but it must have been amiable enough because Bri didn’t look irritated. She left after that, giving them a short salute before transforming into a hawk and flying out of view.
Augrys and Erick were the first to leave; they had to attend a Water Court summons before they headed to the Fire Festival.
Leo remained, silently standing guard over her.
In the past week, they had fallen into a cordial rapport that mirrored their earlier friendship, but it was wracked with hesitation.
Leo’s voice startled her out of her reverie. “Would you like to eat breakfast together?”
His offer took her by surprise, but she readily agreed. She didn’t want to be alone.
Breakfast at Samire consisted of a trip to the mess hall.
Many Fae greeted Leo, clapping his back and shaking his hand.
He was all smiles, boisterous laughter, and open warmth.
Yareli hung to the side, giving an occasional nod when her presence was acknowledged.
Although her transformation was perfect, she was wary of getting too close.
She followed him to a table for two, setting her metal tray down with a plunk. Momentary silence ensued.
“I—”
“Listen—”
They spoke at the same time, startling each other. She met his stare, and they burst out laughing, breaking the lingering awkwardness. She relaxed.
“We’ve really made a mess of this, haven’t we?” Leo said.
“We?”
His head dropped, and he raised his hands. “Okay. Me. I mucked it up. I’m sorry.”
She pursed her lips, stabbing a piece of egg with her fork.
“Listen, Reli.” Leo took hold of her hand, stilling her movements. “I shouldn’t have bottled it up. Bri tells me all the time that I’m guilty of it. It’s not an excuse, but I’d like a second chance. Can we start over as friends, and see where it goes from there?”
She pretended to think it over, though she already knew her answer, had known it. “What about what you said—that I loved Augrys?”
He grimaced. “That… isn’t one of my best moments. I should have listened to you. If the current you has decided to give me a chance, then that’s that. The past isn’t of consequence.”
Except it was, a small voice in her head said. Every treacherous thought, every sharp intake of breath, every thrill down her spine when she met Augrys’s eyes. But love was also a choice, and she was choosing her budding feelings for Leo. He hadn’t lied to her as Augrys had.
She smiled broadly and nodded.
He returned her smile. Yareli took a bite of her food, appreciating the vegetables in their food today. Although meat was plentiful thanks to hunting and fishing, with winter coming, vegetables were going to get harder to find.
“How’s the farm coming along? These are delicious.”
“Wonderful! We perfected the irrigation last night, and I charged a couple of mentees with its upkeep while we’re at the Fire Court. Within a few weeks, we’ll have a functional, underground greenhouse.”
“Seems like you’re in your element here.”
He laughed, his shoulders shaking. “I really am.” His joy faded, eyebrows scrunched up. “It’s unfortunate that it is born of my brother’s crookedness and the death of my father and sister.”
She placed her hand on his. “We’ll get vengeance for them.”
He gave her a nod, but the pinched look on his face remained for a moment longer. “And you? How’s the new look?”
Yareli pulled her hand away, hiding her grimace by taking a bite of her food. She chewed slowly. Leo leaned forward, resting his cheek in his palm, eyes sharp.
“You don’t like it.”
She swallowed, and the food scratched at her throat. “I don’t dislike it.”
“Mhm.”
“It’s… complicated. It’s like when you cut your hair, and you cry afterward. It’s a change, but I’ll get used to it soon enough. Besides, it’s nice being able to walk outside without the fear of being seen.”
“That’s a positive outlook! Cheers!” He held his tin cup in the air, and she clinked hers against his.
She took a sip of her water, amusement crinkling her eyes, but she couldn’t help the cold dread that dripped down her nape.
Although she and Augrys had attempted to break open her core multiple times in the past week, she had made no progress.
The first challenge would have to be done without magic—a major disadvantage.
She turned her attention back to Leo, who had begun to tell her about his recent discovery.
“Wait, how did you end up on yams?” she asked.
They departed for the Fire Court the following day at sunset.
It was a week-long festival starting off with a bang; the first challenge was later that night.
To prevent cheating, the specifics were withheld from competitors, but it only magnified Yareli’s anxiety.
She fiddled with the tip of her ear, reassuring herself that the transformation hadn’t failed—it wouldn’t.
It was quite literally a physical and cosmetic change to her body.
It needed a counterspell to be undone, but she continued fretting.
Erick slapped her hand away. “Stop that. It’s making me nervous. We can get zits from stress too, you know.”
“Don’t lie. We don’t.” Augrys reprimanded him. “She’s nervous as we all are.”
Gratified, she stuck her tongue out at Erick. He mimicked her, scrunching his face to an extreme.
She laughed; he looked ridiculous.
Augrys held a hand up. “We’re coming up to the agreed-upon rendezvous point, quiet down.”
Leo shuffled closer to her, giving her a nod of encouragement. “You got this.”
She managed a smile. Allyah had arranged to meet with them before the festival at a secluded forest clearing outside of the city.
The sun had long set, and the moon had risen by the time they reached the spot.
A lone, simple stone tower stood erected in the center.
With Allyah nowhere in sight, they made their way to the stones.
No sooner had Leo placed his pack on the ground than her voice came from behind them.
“Surprised you’re on time, Augrys.”
He shrugged. “A simple feat achieved by lying to my chronically late lieutenant.”
Yareli scanned Allyah’s attire, admiring the black dress she wore; she caught her staring and smirked.
“You’ll be staying at my villa,” she drawled, flicking her loose hair over her shoulder. “Now then—”
The air around her shimmered; her blue eyes lit up like lightning; thunder cracked, and she was standing in front of Yareli. Augrys stood in the way, gripping Allyah’s outstretched hand, his own eyes ablaze in gold.
“Did you forget? I was always faster,” he said, his voice flat.
“Let go.”
Augrys stood firm. “Back away.”
They glared at each other, like unmoving forces intent on only one thing—Yareli. The air hummed with crackling energy.
“How about we do this, like, maybe a hundred miles away from me?” she asked, taking a step back. Leo was behind her, taking hold of her shoulder, ready to jump with her if need be.
“Here’s the deal,” Allyah said. “Yareli comes with me, and the rest of you make your way on foot to the festival. If you start walking now, you might catch the end of it.”
“Yareli won’t be leaving with you,” Augrys answered.
“Then, there is no deal. She won’t make it in time on foot with you fools.”