The ghouls in the middle step aside, opening a passage, then turn. It’s a brief moment, but I can hear them in my mind.Follow us.
If I can hear them, could I talk to them? I’m not sure. My heart pulses heavier in my chest.
I get up from the uncomfortable, uncushioned seat and walk behind them. Fewer ghouls are in the cave now, I’d say some fifty or sixty, and they’re no longer standing in formation, but walking around. The Witch King is sitting at his throne, leaning his head on his hand, as if resting. I wonder if he needs to sleep,and how strong he is. I also wonder what the ghouls will do when I sneak out, and what will happen to Azur.
We’re approaching the throne, and the Witch King pins us with his dark eyes.
My heart pumps my blood furiously in my chest, my entire body taut in anticipation of what’s to happen.
This is it. I know I suggested we should do it sooner rather than later, but now I feel my courage seeping through my skin and evaporating in the desertic air. Can I even trust Azur? Or am I signing a death sentence?
Regardless. Waiting would only have postponed the inevitable.
And the question is: what is inevitable?
3
MARLAK
Icould freeze the entire Crystal Court, and it would still not bring Astra back, but try telling that to my magic.
The castle is eerie and strange without guards or servants. Lidiane suggested we move to a different room, but we need to make sure Ferer and the others can find us, so it’s better to stay put.
Since we need to plan, I told her about my time in the Shadow Lands, including my experience with the giants, and she told me about her mad dash through the desert with Renel, Tarlia, and Azur, how they were attacked by hundreds of ghouls there, and then told me that Renel kept the creatures at bay with his sword.
Unbelievable—and yet familiar.
A memory hits me. “I saw it. I mean, dreamed about him with a sword. But he couldn’t have fought hundreds of ghouls. How did you make it?”
She lets out a relaxed laugh. “We had help; Cherry Cake.”
My brows shoot up. While I’m glad the unicorn saved them, the Shadow Lands is the last place he should set foot in. “Really?”
“He scared away the ghouls, then led us to the keep. We spent the night there, then went separate ways in the morning.”
A note of melancholy taints her voice in the last words, then she takes a paper from a pocket—not any paper.
“A transcending note?” I ask.
Lidiane nods. “Yes. Azur was passing information to the rebels in the Owl Inn.”
I can’t believe she’s gone through this risk. “You knowrebels?”
She clicks her tongue. “Yes. And I stole the note and replaced it, in case any information compromised you.”
“That’s dangerous, Lidiane.”
She waves the paper. “Would you ratherIhave it, or some random fae who calls himself the king of the Nether Court?”
I sigh. “I wish you would stay away from danger, that’s all. And what’s this Nether Court talk?”
“Long story. And this note was with Ferer. He just gave it back to me.” She glances at the paper, and her eyes widen.
“What?”
She raises a hand to silence me. “There’s something.” Her voice sounds so relieved, almost joyful, as she places a finger on the paper and some writing appears.
I’m so anxious that I want to read with her, but she’s pulling the note close to her, as if it was private, and if it comes from Azur, it might be.
