My feet freeze in place, blood draining from my face as I recall asking Tarlia if there was someone who mattered in her life. Her answer?Maybe.She traveled with this prince.
He frowns. “Not like that. I’m her friend.”
I don’t know if I believe him, and I don’t even know if it makes anything better that he’s not the one who’s interested. And there’s something else bothering me too. “Yes. Everyone’s her friend. Capes for her. Transcending note for her. Not for me. I could rot for all they care. Now, if I hadn’t said I was going to rescue Tarlia no matter what, everyone would be sitting and waiting.”
“That’s good leadership, Renel. Sometimes someone has to take the initiative. I guess we were all thinking that it was better to wait until Marlak does what he has to do, but your plan makes more sense. And then once you insisted, everyone found ways to help. I’m glad you pressed your point, and I’m happy that you care for Tarlia.”
A huff escapes my lips. I’m still wondering if these two had anything, still wondering if by any chance she still feels something for him. The fact that all she wanted with me was a night makes more sense now. Makes total sense. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s still my duty to rescue her.
“Are you upset?” Ziven asks, perhaps sensing the change in my mood.
“Should I bejoyous? Zorwal could be torturing Tarlia right now.”
He pats my back. “But we’re getting her out of there. And her deal with him was that she wouldn’t be harmed. Let’s keep our hopes high.”
“I’d rather be ready.” I wanted to sayready for the worst, but I can’t.
I don’t even want toconsiderthe worst, even if worry keeps hovering over my mind.
It’s a dreadful feeling that won’t leave me alone, prickling my skin, squeezing my chest, twisting my stomach, as if my body was sounding the alarm that Tarlia is suffering, that I need to do something, that I need to hurry.
I’m trying.
We walk toward the castle in silence, and I keep my hand close to the hilt of my sword. The capes should help us walk unnoticed, but I can’t help but feel that someone is watching us. Excessive caution or paranoia, I do not know.
We’re still in the woods when a horrific yet familiar feeling comes to my chest and my throat. I can’t breathe. This time, it’s not anguish.
It’s air weaving.
“Hello, Renel.”
The voice makes me shiver. I turn and see my old tormentor right behind me; Mirella.
14
RENEL
I’m suffocating, unable to fight back. For a second, I’m a child again, powerless, afraid. As if I was any different now.
Mirella, for her turn, has grown into a young woman, but her malice hasn’t changed.
A jet of water hits her face, and I realize Ziven’s fighting back. The air flows again to my lungs and I gulp a big breath of air.
Mirella raises her hands. “Stop. I’ll stop too. I’m here in peace.”
I laugh. “Do you even know what that word means?”
Her chest sags slowly and she relaxes her hands. “It’s the space between ocean and sky. Nothingness. But I mean no aggression. I’m not your enemy.”
“Oh. What are you, then?”
She scowls and looks like her younger, petulant self. “Your ally.”
“Why are you choking us then?” I ask.
“I stopped,” she says, this time sounding like a regretful child. “And I was afraid you’d fight me.”
“What do you want?” I snap, hating myself for failing so early, and fearing that Zorwal or one of his creatures might be approaching.
