“How did she tell you?”
“Penny.”
“And how did Nina know this trial would be here?”
Sol sneezed. “Samara, I think. I don’t know. Perhaps she can read minds, too.”
Cas's jaw twitched with a hint of a smile. “You could’ve told me.”
“It was a last-minute plan.” Beyond the cathedral walls, chaos continued to roar, and she knew they didn’t have much time before the flames engulfed the sacred building as well.
She began toward the staircase, Cas closely beside her. “You could go too, you know,” she said. “Go north, start a new life. We could meet once a month somewhere for your tattoo—and you’dbe free.”
He glanced at her sidelong. “Is that what you want?”
“Isn’t it what you’ve always wanted?”
They began their descent down the stairs, Penny’s sweet voice beckoning below.
He sighed, “For a long time, yeah. I hated being bound to Rimemere.”
“And now?” Sol asked.
They neared the end of the staircase, a black tunnel ahead. Cas had no time to answer as Sol spotted red followed by a pair of bright green eyes visible even in the dimness. Sol ran forward and crashed into Nina’s open arms.
“Sol.” Nina embraced her with such a genuine kindness that Sol couldn’t help the small sob. “Sol, we miss you.”
Sol smiled as well and, although it seemed impossible after such a short time of knowing them, replied honestly, “I miss you all as well.”
“M—Miss Amana,” Jonah’s eyes went wide, and even Phil shifted to be set down. The boy grinned. “Nina Amana?”
Nina nodded and lowered herself to his level. “That’s me! I will be your guide. We must leave quickly.”
“How?” Jonah turned to Sol. “How did you know?”
“Jeriyah was easy to put to sleep.” Penny giggled. “We slipped some Kerproot into his tea.”
“It won’t be long before the old fart wakes up, though.” Nina pulled Cas into a hug next. “So, I’m afraid we cannot stay long.”
Jonah looked from Sol, to Nina, to Phil. “I don’t know, Princess.”
“I’m not having any of you dying here, Jonah,” Sol said. “Please. I know it will be hard to remain hidden and fake both of your deaths, but please. Live.” She pleaded. Begged.
Jonah’s blue eyes softened, and he reached to grab Sol’s hand. She squeezed his palm, gentle and firm.
He brought his free arm over his chest, laying his hand on his shoulder with a set of taps. “Long may you reign, Princess.”
Phil looked up at Sol with tears in his eyes. He mimicked hisbrother’s gesture. “Long may you reign.”
With a final glance from Nina, the four of them began their journey into the tunnels.
Above them, the roof rumbled and groaned.
Not waiting for emotions to distract her, she didn’t protest when Cas swept her back up the stairs and out the rumbling cathedral, the booming of crumbling walls unnervingly close the entire sprint to the exit.
Forty Four
DANCE TO THE GALLOWS
