“Easier to ask if anything is right.”
Beside me, Astra stirs and asks, “What’s happening?”
Nelsin crouches beside us. “I can’t help being bound by promises, and… I’m bound to the giants.”
“We understand,” Astra says.
I’m not half as forgiving or nice as her, but since I’m wondering where he’s going with this conversation, I remain quiet.
Nelsin clicks his tongue and points at Astra. “But my life gratitude to you trumps my promise.” He looks down, then faces me. “Only to her. In fact, I never, ever swore any oath to protect Your Majesty.”
“Don’t call me majesty. And just tell us what’s going on.”
The fae takes a deep breath. “It’s night. The giants don’t expect you to escape now. There is a circle here in Alksamira. It’s weak and old, but I can transcend through it to a Giant city close to the Charmed River, from where we can cross.” He shows me a bundle of clothes under his arm. “You can place this under the blanket. The giants won’t notice she’s missing. When theydo, she’ll be far away. Nobody will come after us or after her. I know how to avoid the paths they take. Still, if any giants see us, they won’t know she’s running away. They’re disorganized, too worried with internal disputes and the threat coming from the north to bother with us.”
I both loathe and cherish his words. I don’t want to send Astra away, but at the same time, I want nothing more than to see her safe. And if she’s gone, it will be easier to fight my way through the giants and escape.
Astra holds my arm and turns to Nelsin. “What about Marlak?”
“I’ll be fine,” I say. “Nelsin’s idea is good. I mean…” I turn to him. “Can you promise to take her home?”
“Of course.”
Astra looks uneasy. “When I came here before, the giants found me.” She points at Nelsin. “It’s when they took him. Could it be that they can sense me?”
Nelsin clicks his tongue. “They watch the border and who comes in. They’re not really watching who leaves or who goes where within their cities.”
She turns to me. “Are you sure?”
I look into her eyes. “Remember what I told you.” She blinks, understanding dawning on her face. I told her that this cage isn’t really blocking my magic, and I’m sure the implication is clear. Then I add, “If I’m alone, it will be easier.” Easier to attempt a daring escape, of course.
Astra turns to Nelsin. “What about Ferer?”
He points to his right. “Another cage like this. He’s also fine and unharmed. So far.” There’s no mistaking the worry in his voice, and no mistaking the fact that he’s giving me a hint so I can rescue him.
Astra looks at me, a question in her eyes.
I run a finger over her face. “Be quiet, be swift, and gohome. You’ll be safe there. I’ll follow you as soon as I can.”
The corner of her eyes are tight as she nods, and then I pull her in for a brief kiss, except that it’s obviously not quite as brief as it should, as I hold her body close to mine and don’t want to let go. I wish I could hold her forever, but at last, I focus all my willpower and break away from her.
“Go,” I whisper, dreading saying this word even if relief eases my chest like a balm. A strange, painful balm, but still a balm.
She gets up and walks away. Nelsin closes the cage door and waves. Astra waves too, the sliver of flickering light illuminating her eyes. Sad eyes, reaching out to me in a pained, worried goodbye.
I arrange the bundle of clothes by my side and lie down. Once I’m sure she’s far from the Shadow Lands, it’s my turn to escape.
How I’m going to either defeat or deceive the giants, I don’t know, but I have a few hours to find out.
19
TARLIA
Berta’s special library with the older books sits deep within her castle. Somehow, I was expecting something more majestic, some kind of grand library. Instead, it looks like a cellar with some six shelves full of antique volumes, most of them bound in leather, and a large stone table in its center. The value of this library lies in the rarity and age of some of the books, not in the quantity.
The queen graciously allowed us to remain here undisturbed with only a guard stationed outside, after appointing guest rooms where we can spend the night.
I still have chills remembering the moments when she hung us upside down, but I’m starting to think it’s some kind of fae sense of humor or maybe petty revenge for whatever Marlak did to her. It can’t have been too bad, if all she wants is for him to apologize.
