“The feeling is mutual.”
“Frankly, I have little interest in marrying at all,” Lavette murmured. She stared through Cullen and into whatever it was that he represented for her. Eira studied the woman’s face as her brow softened, becoming thoughtful. “We used to do that in Qwint—political marriages, powerful families… That’s why my father’s generation fought for our republic. They dreamed of a government that was ruled by and for the people. They made it happen and, yet, somehow, they forgot everything they bled for in such a short span of time. Before we know it, we’ll be back where we were.”
Lavette’s father hadn’t seemed like a power-hungry broker to Eira. But, then again, Yemir might not either to a casual acquaintance. It was impossible to know someone at a glance or a few interactions.
“I must go back to my land and my people. Especially after this. Carsovia will be on our doorstep the moment they find out the treaty has gone up in flames. I have to get word to Qwint before it reaches the empress,” Lavette finished.
“Come with me, then.” The words were said before Eira had a chance to think them through.
“What? Where?”
“I’m going down the river,” Eira said. “It’s too dangerous for me to stay here—for any of us. We can go back to Risen. That’ll be dangerous, too. But, once there, we can catch a ship that can get us back to Solaris—maybe you can find one to Qwint—we can tell them what happened.”
“Your emperor and empress were in the blast.”
“I don’t think they were.” Eira smiled tiredly. “I think they made it out.” Lavette looked at her like she thought Eira had truly lost her mind. But she didn’t fight her. “So? Come with us?”
“I’m not quite sure how we’ll secure these hypothetical voyages… But there’s strength in numbers, I suppose.” Lavette stood, moving to Varren. She still looked skeptical, but Eira felt confident the two surviving Qwint champions would be joining them.
“To Risen?” Olivin took Lavette’s place. He crouched next to Eira and held a hand over her leg. “Halleth ruta sot. Halleth ruta toff,” he murmured. His ability with healing wasn’t honed. Eira had been in the hands of enough skilled healers to tell as much. But her flesh knitting, even poorly, numbed the pain some. “I’m staying here until I find Yonlin.”
“I know,” she said softly, meeting his eyes. He held her gaze.
“Once I do, I will find you.”
Eira wasn’t sure how possible that would be, but she nodded anyway.
Olivin smirked slightly. “But if the Pillars get me and Yonlin, come back and rescue us, all right?”
She grabbed his hand and locked eyes with him. “Don’teverlet them get you.”
He turned his hand to lace his fingers with hers, squeezing lightly. “I’ll do my best.”
Alyss leaned away from Cullen and wiped her brow.
“How is he?” Lavette asked.
“It’s going to take more than just a few minutes of work to repair this. I’m going to need days.”
But days weren’t something they had. They were going to be found, sooner rather than later. They needed a way out,now.
“Ducot, that boat you went to on the night we left through the tunnel,” Eira started. He looked at her with shock. She had never told him she’d seen where the court’s hideout was. At least onething had remained a secret. One thing she’d got right. “Do you think it’s still there?”
“Possibly,” he said uncertainly. “It should be.”
“Good.” Eira pushed herself to her feet, hiding a wince. “We’re taking that, then, back to Risen.”
“Eira, we, that boat…” He trailed off, but whatever he was going to say was lost.
The doors lurched in but the lock held. They were all on their feet, save for Cullen.
“Alyss, Lavette, Varren, grab everything you can!” Eira commanded. “Noelle, Olivin, be ready. On my mark, open the doors and clear a path. Ducot, lead the way to the boat.”
The doors lurched again with another impact. The wood groaned and Eira slipped her arm around Cullen, fighting to lift him up. A little bit longer, a little bit further for both of them. They’d be free of this nightmare soon. She had to believe it was true to keep going.
“One more second,” Eira told them all.
Alyss was already on her second bag. Lavette was keeping pace. Eira moved to stand right behind Ducot and Noelle at the door.
