“You don’t have to do that.”
“It keeps everyone more comfortable.”
“But they’ll have to get used to it eventually, won’t they?” I asked.
“Who knows how long that will be?”
“It’s coming. I can feel it.”
“I too.” He got up.
“Ryuu,” I said.
He paused. “Yes?”
“I need to know what to do. How best to move this forward. You don’t have to tell me now, but think about it.”
He inclined his head again. “For now, remember your access is everything. Get as close to those in power as possible. Make them trust you. Gather every detail. Even the most minor may be our key to the prophecy.”
“The prophecy?” This was the first I’d heard about such a thing.
“All will reveal itself to you in time.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
FAOLAN
Ijumped awake, lying face down on a soft surface. I couldn’t figure out where I was. I lifted my head to look around—well, I tried at least, but pain seized me as the movement pulled at fresh wounds in my wings. Panic crawled up my throat as I came back to the conscious world in a rush. Escape was the only thought in my mind.
Caly!
We had to flee. How long had I been out? Where was I? Where was she?
The bolts they fired at me, were they poisoned? Why hadn’t I healed? Had they made me so weak I passed out? I grabbed at myself, trying to rip them out. But my fingers found nothing but bandages.
Then it came back to me. I’d gotten us to relative safety, then I must have blacked out from blood loss after flying for so long while wounded. I didn’t even know how I’d made it as far as I did, because I was still a mess. My entire body ached with the injuries. Even moving shot fire through my muscles. I lay back prone, slowing my heart rate again. I didn’t want to pass out. I hadn’t meant to leave Caly alone with them. How long had I even been out for?
I looked around in the darkness of a tent, confirming that I had managed to reach the rebel camp at Reyneau Peaks. Finishing my scan of the dark tent, I found Caly curled up on a chair at my bedside. A scratchy-looking blanket was half on the floor, and she was wrapped around herself, trying to keep warm. The climate in the mountains was unpredictable at the best of times, but the season was on the turn and winter would soon be here. I tried to reach over to pull her blanket up over her shoulder, but pain made me hiss and she gasped awake at the sound, blinking into the darkness, unseeing.
“Faolan?” she whispered.
“It’s just me,” I replied.
“Thank the Sun God,” she gasped and flung herself at me.
I winced, and she pulled back.
“I’m sorry!”
“It’s fine…I’ll live. Come here,” I said, lifting the side of my blankets and settling onto my side, wings behind me so I could pull her in and warm her with my body heat.
“Are you sure I’m not causing you pain?”
“I’m quite sure. I’d be sore whether you were in that chair or in this bed with me, so I chose the latter.” I pulled her close so our bodies were pressed together and our feet entwined.
“No funny business, you have open wounds,” she scolded.
“No funny business.” I chuckled, wearily, pain engulfing my chest. I wouldn’t have the strength if I wanted to. “Tell me what’s been going on. I’m so sorry I left you to deal with them alone. Have they treated you well? How long was I out?”
