But the memory of her standing in the castle at Savigndor entered her mind, and she held him a little tighter.
"No matter where this war takes us... I will always find my way back to you," she whispered.
Nadir pulled back and shook his head just noticeably. "Don't talk like that," he breathed.
"We cannot be oblivious to this war," she managed. "I don't want to think that one day I'll have to walk away from you, but if that day comes, I will find you again. I will always come back to you."
Jaw visibly clenching, he pressed his hand once more to her cheek. "Always?" he whispered.
"Evermore," she promised.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
HAGEN ROSE BEFORE sunrise the next morning, and he and Dorian went up to the Temple to speak with Marius and Falke. Corbin and Reverie packed their things as they waited on them, and then the three departed Dahrkenhill by noon. Hagen and Dag guided them all the way back through the mountains and into the caves, leaving them only after reaching the Hills of Bitratus once more.
Hagen gave them two extra horses with supplies to take Bala, saying he'd promised aid, and if a few stashes of newly forged daggers and bundles of arrows would help, that's what he would send for now. Until they needed more, and he would send that with the Honest traders.
Dorian had promised he would return once he saw his sister and returned the Scrolls to Lake Oriens. He felt he was making significant progress in the mountains and wanted to learn everything he could from Hagen. Hagen told the three they were welcome any time, but he'd expect him back by the next cycle. He had more plans for Dorian, and the words made Dorian laugh.
Corbin didn't seem as amused by Hagen and his so-called plans.
It was weird being back south to flatter lands. Back where he could see the trees and hear the Noctuans at night. Back where it wasn't snowing, and they had to shed their heavy clothing to give Hagen to take back.
By the time they reached the Forest to enter the Venari realm, Dorian's nerves began to get the better of him. He'd hardly spoken to Reverie and Corbin on their journey. The noise of the Ulframs had followed them since the caves, and Dorian couldn't shake that perhaps they were following them.
The grand trees stared back at them around the entrance to the Forest on that fifth morning. Dorian tossed his dagger up and down in his hand as Reverie and Corbin finished packing up their things.
The more he thought about seeing Bala again, the angrier he became. That she'd lied to him about his sister's whereabouts. That she'd kept it all a secret and let him wander through those mountains while his sister had possibly been dying. Even as far back as insisting they separate from each other instead of doing this altogether.
Ash settled on his fingertips, and he didn't squander it.
The noise of crows filled their ears as they strode the path. But by the time noon came around, the entire wood became silent, and Dorian knew they were entering the Venari kingdom.
"Up top," Corbin called out.
Dorian's eyes flickered up, and there they were.
Venari stared down at them from the great branches. Arrows threaded. Knives drawn. But Dorian didn't acknowledge them. He continued on.
"No combating them if they ambush," Dorian said, mainly talking to Reverie. "If—“
An arrow whistled the air.
Flames grew on Dorian's hand into a soft ball, and he shot it out. The arrow disintegrated to ash before it hit the ground.
A warning.
Dorian's horse stalled in the air. He held on, trying to calm her, but it caused a domino. Reverie and Corbin's horses began to stamp erratically. To the point, Dorian jumped from his horse and stepped before it to calm.
The tip of a blade touched his neck. Dorian stiffened.
"Bael," he said, guessing it was the Second who had been on patrol.
"Drop it," came Reverie's voice.
Dorian didn't even know she'd come down from her horse.
"Stand down, Rev," Dorian called back to her. "I can handle this."
