But this thrilling progress doesn’t mean I can stop trying. I gave up too easily when Perun trapped me. I know it’s a fault of mine. Ever since I was imprisoned centuries ago, I lost my drive. There are so many days when I don’t believe I can ever win.
Jaga showed me my error. She never stopped to wonder if it made sense, never tried to evaluate her chances. She just fought. She always does, only giving up when all her resources are utterly spent. I should learn from her.
Magic whips around me as I turn into Woland, a new plan forming. I’ll get her to care. After all, I know Jaga better than anyone.
Chapter twelve
Reunion
“Are you out of your mind?” Jaga asks coldly when I emerge from the shadows at the foot of her throne, my cargo in tow.
“Maybe,” I say cheerfully, supporting Rada when she wobbles, her eyes huge with wonder as she looks around. “I’m certainly desperate.”
“Do you want Perun to know who you are?” Jaga hisses, shaking her head while Lutowa steps onto the dais with a small wave.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make them all forget they were here.”
Lech shoots me a shocked glance, and Nienad rolls his eyes, studying my throne room with hawkish attention.
“This is Nawie,” he says with confidence. “I can tell by how far away the sky is. Why have you brought us here, master?”
“You’re my special guests. There’s food, music, and your favorite witch whom you haven’t seen in a while.”
I grin, watching Jaga from the corner of my eye. She’s uncertain, her gaze shifting between her friends, her hands wringing nervously in her lap. Perfect.
“Send them back,” she hisses through clenched teeth.
At this point, Rada crouches, turning to the boy hiding behind her skirts. Jaga freezes, her eyes trained on the golden child, who’s a bit over a year old and already walks steadily. He’s dressed in simple linen trousers and a short-sleeved shirt, and Jaga stares at him like he’s a ghost.
I send my shadows to whisper in her ear.
“Remember how you cheated fate to save him? Look how nicely he’s growing.”
She whips her head to the side, searching for the source of my voice, but I pull away, stepping in front of my guests.
“Eat to your hearts’ content, my friends,” I say, waving at the table, quickly filling with steaming dishes and crystal goblets. There’s blood for the upir, heaps of greasy food for the bieda, and multiple bottles of wines and meads.
I wave my hand again, and a trio of souls materializes nearby, taking up a fiddle, a flute, and a drum. Another hand wave makes the lights multiply and grow golden until the space is cozy and festive.
Lech looks around, shrugs, and goes to the table to treat himself. Nienad studies the gem mosaics on the walls, and Rada stands at the foot of the throne dais, watching Jaga. Meanwhile, Lutowa is already up there, grabbing Jaga’s hand.
“Sheesh, you look weird in leather. I like it, though. Come on. Let’s get drunk together.”
Jaga shakes off her hand and gets up, putting the throne between them. “Don’t you hate me?” she hisses, eyeing the bieda with distrust.
Lutowa laughs and makes to sit. I growl in warning, sending my shadows to bar her way.
“Only one woman gets to sit on my throne,” I say clearly, my eyes flashing to Jaga. “And no, Jaga, neither of them hates you. Most rebels do, of course. But not those who truly got to know you. A fault in my plan, one I’m glad of right now.”
She blinks rapidly, and I can tell she’s uncertain and lost, looking between Rada, Lutowa, and Lech, who saunters back with a cup full of blood in his hand.
I considered bringing Draga, as well, but decided against it. The armless mamuna would have made Jaga think about that battle we lost and how I said all her friends would have been safe if only she’d let me claim her. It’s not my intent to make Jaga feel guilty or manipulated.
I just need her to want to live again.
“I was angry with you for a while,” Lutowa says with a shrug. “I couldn’t understand how you could not help us win if you knew a way. I finally had to accept you’re young. Like a baby. Young people act in illogical ways. I suppose it will pass with time.”
Jaga’s eyes flash, and she hisses at Lutowa like an angry cat. I grit my teeth, wondering if my plan isn’t so smart, after all. In the end, I don’t step in. The goal is to make Jaga care, and so far, it’s working.
