A second later we popped through the front door.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“Almost there,” Sean shouted over his shoulder. “Keep running!”
I lost track of how many houses we’d entered and left. Each time the doors seemed to magically open, or were simply unlocked. We ran in and out, and even a few times, instead of going through the doors, we went through the windows. The houses were so closely built together that all it took was one more step and we were climbing into the kitchen of a new home. Each one seemed to have one small token in it that reminded me of Glemaria. Of Rhyan.
But I was sure it was my mind playing tricks on me. Looking for signs of him. Evidence of his existence. Something for me to focus on while my body screamed in pain. For the first time since I lost him, the pain in my body was overrunning the shattering inside my heart. My arm was still bleeding, my body growing more sore by the second. I was still feeling hot, and sweaty, my head like a deadweight. Exhaustion was quickly catching up tome. And if we didn’t arrive where we needed to soon, I was becoming fearful I might faint again.
“Last one!” Sean yelled. “Move! Fast!”
We raced into a kitchen, out through a back door into a tiny yard, and then at last, crossed a property with a small stone gryphon—another sign of Rhyan—beside the back porch. A balcony loomed above on the second floor.
This home’s back door was already open, and there was a familiar scent in the air inside. Pine.
The moment we’d crossed the threshold, Sean led us past another door. I could hear the first one shutting, the bolt sliding into place as we were led down a series of stairs into a cool room underground without windows.
“Sean, where are we? What is this?” I asked.
“Basement,” he said. “To hide.”
The door at the top of the stairs closed, and for a moment we were thrown into total darkness. But then a torch flared to life, the flames hissing. A beautiful mage I’d never seen before began to walk down the steps. She had golden tanned skin like most Bamarians, and long, brown curls that fell softly past her shoulders.
Sean took a second to catch his breath, then rushed for the mage as she reached the bottom step. He took the torch from her hand, and pulled her into a tight hug, before kissing her on the lips. She grinned, and pushed back a lock of brown hair that had fallen over Sean’s forehead.
Like Rhyan’s hair used to …
“Doors locked,” she said. “The coast clear. But rumor is Turion Kevel is making the rounds one street over.”
“I’ll need to get out there.” Sean nodded. “Show my face.” He pressed his forehead to hers, his jaw clenched. “You can keep them both hidden until I return?” he asked.
“Of course.”
Sean’s eyes moved warily between me and Auriel, then back to the mage. At last he said, “Lady Lyriana, this is my wife, Branwyn, of Ka Drona.”
Branwyn smiled warmly, and curtsied low. “Lady Lyriana, Your Grace.” Her eyes moved to Auriel, and she frowned. “Myself to Moriel. Rhyan? Are you—? No. But I thought— Gods!” Her eyes watered. “By the Gods! Is it you? Rhyan?”
Sean’s eyebrows drew together in concern as Auriel sadly shook his head, and removed his mask, revealing his face and hair. And once more, I found myself cataloguing all the small differences between them. And … the ways they were so completely identical.
I was too aware of the crushing disappointment Branwyn and Sean were about to experience. It was evident from the look in their eyes. Like hope had been lost.
Sean seemed to deflate, even though Auriel had already assured him he wasn’t Rhyan. I could see it in his eyes, he’d still held on to hope.
“I’m sorry,” Auriel said, but his eyes were on mine as he spoke. “I’m not him.”
Sean stepped forward, his eyes moving rapidly back and forth across Auriel’s face. “No. You’re not, but you …” He shook his head, almost in wonder. “Who are you?”
“I’m called Auriel.” He lowered his chin in respect.
“Like the God?” Sean spat.
“Exactly like that.”
Sean’s jaw tensed. “Is Rhyan … Fuck! I heard the reports. Heard there was a vorakh attack on the capital. And that he was—that he was stripped. But I haven’t been able to confirm, I mean—Devon’s lied more than enough times before. So has Kormac. I know something happened. Something bad. But I also know a Godsdamned fucking lie when I hear it. Lyriana, please tell me. What happened?” His eyes widened, looking betweenme and Auriel with a sort of silent desperation. “Where’s Rhyan?”
I stared at the ground, suddenly afraid to meet Sean’s eyes. Like it was my fault. My responsibility.
And it was. It fucking was. I’d sworn I’d get him back. I’d sworn I would heal him. That nothing else would hurt him.
