They slid around the tombstones and branches until coming to a singular mausoleum with a pointed roof that faced away from the looming eyes of the castle.
“Sawyer, what am I to say if the kingsmen ask why we are in restricted grounds?” Nina braced her hands on her hips, easing from her grasp. “We need to stay under the radar, at least until after the Vows.”
“Tell them we finally decided to fuck, Nina, I don’t know.” Sawyer paced in small steps, digging her hands through her unbound hair.
Why am I even considering something a Jinn said? “Gods, S. Spill. You’re making me anxious.” Fuck it.
Sawyer turned to her, looking her straight in the eyes with the force of simmering embers. “I need you to promise me somethingfirst.”
Nina furrowed her brows and nodded. “Of course.”
“Swear it.”
“Sawyer.”
“My father is conspiring with the Jinn.” The words spilled like poison, hot and deadly. “I don’t know for what or when or how it happened.”
Nina’s chest rose and fell in silence as she processed the information. Slowly, panic flared in her eyes. “How do you know?”
“I overheard him and a Mind Slayer speaking in his study.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a long fucking story, but it’s true. The—the thing’s name was Lorkin.” Sawyer shook her head in disbelief, trying to somehow convince herself today had been a nightmare. She looked to Nina, expecting her to laugh or to ask if it was a joke.
But the Earth Caller was silent.
“You don’t believe me.” Sawyer sighed, “I know it sounds insane, but??—”
“Who’s Morna, Sawyer?” Nina’s voice took a serious edge, enough to make Sawyer halt her pacing.
Sawyer snapped her head at her. “How do you know that name?”
“Seems like we’ve both had interesting days.”
Nina told her everything. She recounted her and Gaven’s encounter at the Jinn Den, starting from the summons from her father all the way to Morna’s warning.
The same one she had given Sawyer days before.
Afterward, Sawyer told Nina her own story. Starting from her mother’s death in Melisandre and Morna’s assistance in her own survival, ending at the day’s events. Once everything was out, it was as if a massive weight dissipated from her shoulders. She hadn’tshared that with anyone.
The entire time she spoke, Nina’s kind expression didn’t falter, nor did she interrupt. And once her friend was sure she was done, she only pulled her into an embrace.
“Can’t believe she let herself be caught.” Sawyer held her tighter.
“Because I doubt the kingsmen caught her without her allowing it.”
“I’m sorry you carried all this alone for so long, Sawyer,” Nina whispered. “I’m sorry if somehow I wasn’t trustworthy enough to help with the burden.”
“No, Nins, it wasn’t you.” Sawyer buried her face in her friend’s shoulder. “I think a part of me just didn’t want to recall it at all.”
They stayed like that for a while, until the bright calls of the curfew bells sang across the land. Sawyer pulled back, smiling a tad sadly to find Nina in tears as well.
“What now?” Sawyer glanced around, wiping her own face. “What the fuck do we do now?”
Nina shut her eyes. “I don’t know. Samara mentioned someone sent out a Mind Slayer to find Sol??—"
Sawyer gaped at her. “I’m sorry, who?”
