The cat-eared fae then passes me a metal cup with more water, and I drink it greedily. It’s when I notice the bars around me, and that we’re in a forest, dim orangish sunset light coming through the trees.
“Where are we?”
“Alksamira,” Nelsin says. “The giant’s third biggest city.”
“But why…”
The fae looks down. “I’ll explain, but I need to tend to your wounds. I brought medicine—and food.” He smiles, then points at my shoulder. “Can I…”
I lower my dress and feel my skin burning as he applies another wet cloth on it.
Marlak holds my hand tight and whispers, “The giants changed their minds, I think. We’re prisoners. But they saved us from the Shadow Lands.”
“They’re afraid,” Nelsin says. “Fearful people—and creatures—can be dangerous.”
“But you were the one who suggested?—”
“I know.” He pauses the movement on my shoulder. “What I can say is that I had a deal with the previous king, but he was deposed. They think there might be no way to stop the WitchKing. In this case, they’d rather have something to offer him as a gift.”
The idea sounds horrid. “Us?”
Nelsin nods.
I can’t believe he’s so resigned and hiss, “And you’re just going to let it happen?”
“I’m doing what I can to help, my lady. Your wound would have gotten infected, if I hadn’t brought this. I brought you a potion to wake you up. You have food to keep your strength. Everything in its own time.”
I grimace. “Am I supposed tothank you?”
Marlak runs a hand through my hair. “We’ll figure it out. It’s true that first we need to survive.”
Did I hear what I just heard? “You’reagreeingwith him?”
He kisses the top of my head. “I’m glad to see you awake, azalee, that’s all.”
I exhale. Maybe they’re right that there isn’t much we can do now. Maybe we have no reason to panic. “Is the Witch King dead?”
“No.” Nelsin’s the one who replies. “At least according to the giants. Their magic is still being pulled. They sense it.”
“But I burned him. With Marlak’s magic. I burned him.”
My husband sighs. “And what happened?”
“He disappeared. Burned in one second. Puff. The flames caught him, but he burned like a thin piece of paper.”
Marlak’s eyes are clouded with worry. “Perhaps he transcended away from the fire.”
Cold dread takes over my stomach. “If he can do that, then how can he be killed?”
My husband looks down. “I do not know.”
Nelsin is now applying a poultice on my shoulder and says, “And that’s why we need to survive and plan a little better.”
“A lot better,” Marlak says, then looks at me. “I’m sorry. So sorry I failed.”
“You didn’t fail. What happened when you came to the Witch King’s cave?”
He closes his eyes. “Crisine was there.”
