“Right. He gave you some amazing advice, Renel. Absolutely amazing.” He sighs. “I’ll go get those books, and let’s hope your beloved master doesn’t get in my way.”
“He’s notmy belovedmaster. I… Wasn’t… We weren’t getting along recently.” For some reason, I can’t face Marlak, and I don’t want to confess all the torture, everything. “Kill him if you have the chance. Your fire should work.”
Marlak snaps a finger. “Right. It’s so easy for me to conjure fire. No trauma at all.”
“You fainted, Marlak. I know you were injured, so it’s not your fault. But you didn’t even deal with the aftermath. Those images still…” My throat closes. “Don’t you dare bring up trauma.”
He gets up. “I’m going.”
“Good luck.” I mean it.
Marlak gives me one last look then exits the room in silence, leaving me here, shackled to a bed like a criminal. I’m not sure what I’m going to do if I need to go to the bathroom. How humiliating.
The worst is that I wasn’t even going to do anything stupid, mostly because I don’t know what to do, and also because I trusted that Astra would want to rescue Tarlia.
But now… I’m not sure. I’m really not sure.
8
MARLAK
Astra’s eyes are tight as I cup her face, the late morning sunlight illuminating her features and reflecting on her beautiful hair.
“It’s just the castle,” I say, repeating it for what must be the fourth or fifth time. “We’ll be in and out.”
She gives me a tense nod. “I know. It’s just…I can’t help but remember the last time we parted.”
“When I said I’d be right back, and it turned out I was wrong. It was a distant land. A magical prison…”
“I know. My heart’s the one who refuses to understand.”
I run a finger over her cheek. “I like your heart. Overreaction and all.”
Perhaps I like the way she looks at me, so much love under that layer of worry. And to be honest, leaving her also fills me with dread, but I have to trust that she won’t get in trouble this time. It will be fast and not too dangerous.
I add, “I have a good reason to rush back.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, and I continue, “You told me you’d do the oral intake experiment.”
She looks confused for a second, but then smiles. “I will, Marlak.”
“Nocrass assholethis time? I’m going to miss the endearment.”
Astra smirks and shakes her head. “I’ll keep you too busy to miss anything, husband.”
I pull her in for one last kiss, delighting in the feel of her lips, of her body against mine, wishing I could just kiss her for as long as I wanted, with no trouble hanging over our heads, with no fear overshadowing our moment.
Astra’s the one who parts the kiss. “You’d better go.”
“And you’d better stay. For once, azalee, stay on the island.”
“Then come back.” Her smile is all that’s beautiful in the world.
“I will.”
Ferer and Lidiane are waiting for me at the edge of the island, as Azur and Ziven stare at us from a distance.
The siblings cross the river together, swimming, and then I follow them using my air magic. When I land at the shore, I turn to give Astra one last parting look, and see her standing at the edge. I wave at her, then walk to the faerie circle.
