Azur mouthsgo. I’m turning to follow the ghouls, when a sudden movement makes me look back. Azur has an odd, jeweled dagger in his hand and is moving it toward the Witch King.
“Run,” he yells as he stabs…
He doesn’t stab anything.
The Witch King blocks the dagger in a movement too fast even for a fae, then takes it with another hand and stabs Azur’s chest. I can barely comprehend what I’m seeing. Is this thedistraction? Am I still supposed to run?
The Witch King pushes Azur to the ground and yells, “How dare you! You’ll pay for this.”
He pulls back the dagger and I realize I have to make a decision, and quickly.
The Witch King has his back to me, which is to my advantage. There’s one weapon that has at least severely wounded him, and it’s mine. And if he has part of Azur’s magic…
There’s no time to wonder if my idea makes any sense. It’s either that or running, and running will be Azur’s death sentence.
MARLAK
I’m losing my patience, my temper, and I think I’m about to encase Ferer’s little sister in ice until she gives me a decent answer.
“Lidiane! What’s happening?” I’m so nervous that my entire body is trembling.
“Astra’s fine. I already said it, she’s fine. At least so far.”
And yet I still recall Lidiane’s horrified expression when she saw the note.
“Then why?—”
“Azur’s the problem. Now, don’t tell me you care about what happens to him. ButIcare. Letmegrieve. And regardless of what’s happening, nothing changes. We still have to wait until morning.”
“But I need to know what’s happening.”
“She’s fine, Marlak.” At least she sounds exasperated rather than worried.
As all kinds of fears threaten to take hold of me, I try to quiet my anger and bury my anxiety, even if I still want to get my hands on that note and find out what’s wrong.
I need answers, and yelling isn’t helping, so I take a deep breath, then ask, “Do you know where they are?”
“I can still sense him. I’ll find their location once we get there. When the sun rises. We can’t go before that.”
“And you won’t tell me what’s bothering you?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not like it’s going to be a secret. Let me just…”
“Marlak!” Ferer is at the door.
I’m not sure I’m ready for more problems. “What’s happening?”
He pauses to catch a breath, then says, “Renel is asking for your help at the Jewel. He says it’s time for you to wear the crown.”
Crown? I’m here worried about Astra, and Renel thinks I care about a crown?
“Nowhe wants me to do that? Let me guess; he’s in danger.” After I say it, the words hit me. “Wait. Is he in danger?” I ask in a lower voice, unsure what my heart is doing in my chest.
“Not yet. But the gates are closed and the lower fae are trapped. Their magic is blocked somehow. The defense of the city isn’t sworn to Renel, and they aren’t listening to him.” Ferer grimaces.
If I come to the Jewel City, it will be like shining a bright beacon to all my enemies, sayinghere I am,right at your doorstep. And yet if I want to claim my throne, I can’t keep hiding forever.
“We should go, Marlak,” Lidiane says. “Astra’s fine, and we can only walk in the Shadow Lands in the morning. There’s still plenty of time.”
