She nods then rests her face against my chest, and I run a finger through her hair as I wait. Minutes and minutes go by as I try to distract my thoughts.
I can still smell the burned hair, still see Crisine. I thought she was an illusion. I thought… And I failed.
Astra burned the Witch King, but I don’t think it worked, and now we’re deep in the north of the Shadow Lands—and I have no magic.
TARLIA
I’m more than thankful to be away from that castle, away from Zorwal, away from that stinky, disgusting mattress, but all this walking is making me tired. I understand that Renel might not want to bring Mirella to the island, but I wish we didn’t have to walk that much and didn’t have to go to a foreign court with a queen that might or might not receive us well.
And Renel… It’s not like I was hoping for a kiss and a love declaration.
Who am I kidding? I was obviously hoping for that.
Oh, my silly heart.
Of course, just because I was foolishly hoping for something, it doesn’t mean I was expecting it. Still, Renel could be nicer. Of course, he came to rescue me, and that counts as nice, but I wish…
Perhaps I wish he was in love with me, but no amount of wishing will make it true. I wishIwasn’t in love, and at least in this case a great deal of wishing might eventually work.
After an eternity of walking, we stop at the base of a steep hill—with an etched stairwell.
I can’t help but grimace at Renel. “Don’t tell me you want us to climb this.”
He blinks. “Why? Would you like me to carry you?”
“Of course not. I stink, right?”
He frowns. “Didn’t you wash?”
Mirella then says, “If I had my magic?—”
“No.” Renel glares at her, then repeats, “No. I’m not giving back your magic until you meet Marlak. And it’s impolite to use your powers in a foreign court. I thought you would have learned your matters,princess.”
She rolls her eyes. “Fine, let’s climb likepeasants. The way you like.”
He breaches the distance to his sister in two steps. “I’m quite proud of my background and upbringing. Better beinga peasantthana spoiled brat.”
“You’re doing this on purpose to delay the end of our deal, aren’t you?”
“I take no pleasure in tormenting others, but we need to do more research. What better place than this?”
Mirella shakes her head. “It might be too late. My brother was sent alone to face that monster, and…” Her voice breaks. “I don’t know if he succeeded.”
Renel’s face is grave as he looks down and closes his eyes for a second, so pained, so sad. Then he faces Mirella. “Whatever’s happening, at least we can do our part. It’s something.”
Ziven asks, “And you think the queen will help us?”
Renel pauses and presses his lips together. “She can be… temperamental, but…” He looks at Ziven again. “Wait. You’re a king, right?”
“A humanprince.Never been crowned.”
Renel waves a finger. “It could make a difference. She’s been looking for a husband for some time, and if we were to convince her about the advantage of an alliance with Krastel…”
“Wow, wow. Hold on there.” Ziven lets out a nervous chuckle. “You don’t expect me to commit my life and my kingdom just to look at some books.”
“Incredibly old books,” Renel says. “And they might help us. You don’t need to marry her, just… dangle the possibility. She’s very pretty.”
“No.” Ziven grimaces. “I’m not going todeceivethis queen.”
