“No. Say the word, and we can leave.” A moment of hope bubbled up. Everyone probably though us dead or captured bynow. We could disappear. “We don’t have to return. Ryuu took the tracker off. No one ever has to find us.”
Instead of excitement and love, her eyes reflected sorrow. I cupped her face and kissed her forehead, knowing the answer before she said it. She closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks. I wiped them away with my thumb and brought it to my lips.
“I can’t. I have to be with Nova if she is there. I won’t leave her in their hands alone. I don’t want you to resent me, but I have no choice. I can’t abandon my duty and leave her to my fate. I’d never forgive myself.”
“And won’t you resent me for leaving?” I whispered.I already resented myself enough. How could I leave her to that? But I saw no path forward. She had to marry him, and I couldn’t stay away from her if I stayed, which would end up in both our ruins. I could deal with my own consequences, but I couldn’t put her through that.
“I won’t. I could never resent you. Even if this was the only time we get in this life, I’ll be thankful for it.”
I took her in my arms, pulling her into my chest. “I don’t think the rest of our lives would be enough, but I’m thankful I got to be with you as well.” I cringed, not meaning for it to sound like I was already putting us in the past.
I heard footsteps on the dry ground, coming our way, and let her slip from my arms. “Ryuu comes.”
She dried her eyes with the backs of her fingers and straightened up. It smelled like we’d been fucking for hours in here, but what could we do?
I opened the flap of the tent as he approached and held it aloft for him.
“Came to bring you this, before you leave,” he said to Caly, handing her a crystal. It’s a stone native to Light, yes?
Caly looked at the rock in her palm and nodded.
Ryuu inclined his head in acknowledgement. “So they shouldn’t take it from you if it’s in your possession. It can be used to send a distress signal. If your life is in danger and you have no other option, I can’t guarantee we can get to you, but if it’s possible, we will.”
“How do I activate it?” she asked, closing her fingers around her lifeline. I felt sick that she needed one and utterly helpless.
He held his hand out and she relinquished it as if it was already her most treasured possession. Then he held it in his hand and spoke an old incantation. It was shocking to hear such words spoken in these Kingdoms, but my kin used the magic, and now we knew that underground, Caly’s kin did too.
The crystal shimmered and glowed softly, then returned to its normal state. “Thats it?” she asked.
Ryuu nodded, returning the crystal to her.
“How will we talk?” Caly asked, pocketing the crystal.
“If you wish to pass information, or get a message out, you can signal for a meeting by leaving your chamber slippers on your bedclothes rather than the floor.”
“Someone from the rebellion is that deep in the palace?” I asked, slightly shocked.
Ryuu looked at me as if I were too naive for my own good.
“What happens then? How will I know the signal has worked?” Caly asked, staying focused on her instructions.
“A contact will make themselves known to you. It may never be the same person, but someone will always respond within a week. They will show you some sign of the Light. We don’t know yet how watched you’ll be, but once they learn the routines, they will find a way. Stay vigilant and safe. Trust no one. And may the Sun God shine his light on you.” Ryuu bowed his head. Then he placed his hand on my shoulder, gave it a squeeze of commiseration, and I thanked him for all he had done before he left us.
“That’s it?”
“The way rebellions last is they don’t give anyone enough to destroy themselves. We are all small pawns in the bigger picture.”
“Okay. I’ll do what I can.”
Alone, Caly and I faced each other.
“This is it then?”
I nodded.
Neither of us would say goodbye, but that didn’t change a thing.
FORTY
