“I’m saving Tarlia and I don’t care what I need to do.”
Azur sneers with that mocking face, that superior air that I always ignored. “How are you even going to the castle? It will take you at least a day.”
“It’s why I’d rather leave as soon as possible.”
Astra clicks her tongue. “Marlak, Nelsin, and Ferer will be back tomorrow. They could help you transcend and take you there faster.”
I shake my head. “Marlak has bloodpuppets after him and his magic can be traced. In fact, all fae magic usually can be traced. You might all scoff at me, but my pathetic lack of magic might be just what I need to walk into the castle undetected. I know its passages.”
“Mirella’s there,” Azur says. “She also knows the castle.”
“She’s not looking for me. I’m going no matter what, so spare me your pointless warnings. I just don’t want you to think I’m going to betray you, that’s all. Let’s seal the deal.” I extend a hand.
“Renel, wait.” Lidiane enters the kitchen.
“I don’t want?—”
“Just listen.” She waves her hands in front of her. “I was working on my capes last night. I can give you two of them, and they’ll help you walk into places unnoticed. You won’t be invisible, but people won’t pay attention to you, which is almost the same. Just give me some time to finish them. And I can transcend you?—”
“Absolutely not,” Azur shouts.
Lidiane clicks her tongue. “I won’t go to the castle or near it. I agree it’s dangerous. But I can get close to the area, so that Renel only has to walk for half an hour or so to get there. That will save him one or two days. Maybe he’s right that he can sneak in. And if Tarlia isn’t there tomorrow, it’s one less worry for Marlak.”
“Didn’t she make a deal with Zorwal?” Ziven asks. “Isn’t it binding?”
I’m getting tired of arguing. “Deals can be undone.”
“But you need both parties, don’t you?” he asks. “It means you’ll need to surrender to Zorwal.”
“Obviously.” My face is hot and my hands are trembling. “It’s why I have to go: to undo it.”
Azur shakes his head. “Zorwal wants Marlak. If you can’t give him any information about him, there will be no deal. Not only will your trip be useless, it could put us all in danger.”
“I won’t put you in danger.” I’m tired of their excuses, their pointless arguments. “But you know what? If you’re not willing to make a deal with me, I’ll go without one.”
Azur takes a deep breath as if he was so superior with his powerful magic.
“Renel,” Lidiane says. “You can make a deal with me. Let’s just plan it right. I’ll take you close to the castle.” She glances at Azur. “But far enough that it will still be safe. And I can transcend through strong, old circles, so this part is fine.” She turns to me. “Let me get the capes ready.”
“What about the deal?” Ziven asks, still holding his apple.
Astra’s eyes widen. “There’s a way! A way for you to cut through bonds. I could lend you a dagger…”
That can’t be. “The Sundering Dagger?”
“Yes.” She nods, a smile on her face. “I’ll lend it to you. With it, you’ll be able to free Tarlia from her bond. I think. Or hope. If I or Marlak needs it, we’ll call it back, but by that time you should have used it.”
I’m not sure I’m hearing her correctly. “And you’re not afraid of what I could do with it?”
“No,” she answers simply.
Lidiane adds, “We can determine that in our deal, if it’s necessary. I just… Are you sure you want to go on your own?”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re worried about me.”
“You saved our lives in the Shadow Lands!” Lidiane says. “And Tarlia’s my friend too.”
Ziven raises a hand. “I could come. Human magic can’t be detected, can it? And if things go wrong, I could help.”
