“You were the person who taught me that there are many ways love can look, Alyss.” Eira gave her hand one more squeeze.Her friend’s eyes rose to meet hers and she tried to give the most encouraging smile she could muster. “You can’t speak for him and what he wants. You must ask.”
“I know.” Alyss ducked her chin.
“You should do it before we get to Risen. Who knows what’s going to happen…and you don’t want to leave anything unsaid.” Eira’s words went soft.
“Sounds like that’s advice you need to take, too.” Alyss lifted her hand and held out her pinky. “Make me a pact, and we both will be brave about our hearts. After that fighting Ulvarth will be nothing.”
“Absolutely.” Eira hooked her finger with Alyss’s and they looked into one another’s eyes with a nod of conviction. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was swearing herself to, but Eira swore it with her whole heart. Perhaps…what she swore was to figure out that promise to herself. She scanned the windows and made sure the side streets were still empty before standing. “You should all get some sleep.”
“What about you?” Cullen asked.
“I’m going to wait up for Olivin—make sure he gets back all right.” She could feel Cullen studying her, deciphering how to read into the declaration. But his silent inquiry didn’t last very long.
“If you need us, please wake us.” He started for his bedroll. Very little seemed to bother Cullen these days, and she was immensely grateful for it.
“What he said.” Alyss rolled onto her back with a yawn.
Eira left them to settle, descending the staircase in the back of the room where Lorn and Olivin had disappeared earlier. It led to a small cellar. The ceiling was so low that she had to duck. Eira placed her hand on the wall and frost extended out from her fingers, coating the room. She felt the void it sank into behind a large plank of wood. Not a very elegant cover to their tracks. Butthe operation was no doubt less sophisticated than the Court had once been.
Her magic retreated and she sat on the last step to wait.
It had been about an hour when the wood in the back shifted with a soft grunt. Eira sheathed the dagger she’d been passing from hand to hand as she had been plotting their next steps. She’d slipped it back into its holster on her thigh as Olivin emerged.
“Perfect, you’re here,” he said as soon as his eyes landed on her.
“How did it go?”
“Very well. Lorn has done wonders setting up a real network here. I think tomorrow will go well…” He wasted no time filling Eira in on the state of Risen, which led to comparisons with Hokoh. Then, the plan of attack for tomorrow, how Lorn would rally his allies and they would hit the Pillars where it hurt—the temple.
“He’s sending us into the most dangerous place in the city.” Eira stroked her chin.
“We’re in much better shape than the rest of them. It makes sense.”
“Or Lorn isn’t as loyal as we hope and he’s leading us into a trap.”
Olivin seemed aghast she’d suggest it. “Lorn is loyal and true. He’dneverwork with the Pillars.”
“He’s been under the influence of Pillars for a long time.” She paused, narrowing her eyes. “Much like my uncle was.”
“Eira.” His tone softened. “I told you I was sorry for how I acted. I was—and am. You’re not going to let bitterness over it impact your judgment here and now, are you?”
“I’m not bitter.” She sighed. Maybe she was, alittle. But she quickly let it go on having it pointed out. “It is a valid concern is all.”
“As was mine when I brought it up.”
“You’re right.” Eira relented so they could move on.
Olivin sighed, deflating some. “I know Lorn better than most. He was there when Yonlin and I were figuring out what our lives were going to look like. He helped me join the Court of Shadows. He’s worked at every turn to thwart the Pillars. He hates them for what they’ve done to his city and his people.”
“I believe you.” She tried to make it clear she wasn’t picking a fight with her tone. “But I’m still unsure if we should spearhead this attack. Hokoh doesn’t matter, not when it comes to killing Ulvarth. I do not want any of us getting injured before Risen.”
“I completely agree. And I know you want to—need tobe the one to kill Ulvarth. Which is why I’ve ensured there will be no harm that comes to you,” he reassured her, missing the point. “You’ll hang back and keep a perimeter around the temple with your ice to prevent more Pillars from joining as we destroy them from within.”
“What?”
“You overseeing things will help keep the rest of us safe with your power—and you safe most of all.” Olivin’s hands fell on her shoulders, caressing her gently. “We are nothing without our leader. I wouldn’t want to see anything happen to you.”
“You didn’t think to consult me before deciding what I would or wouldn’t do?” The words weren’t harsh, or cold, but matter-of-fact.
