A part of her feared Ilith’s answer. It was difficult to imagine a life without Ilith. The dragon had become one of her dearest friends. Family in the same way Dewdrop and Night were.
And that was exactly why Tate would let Ilith go if the dragon ever indicated a desire to be free. Friendship wasn’t just about having someone there for you when you needed them. It was about being there for them too. Giving as good as you got.
Don’t be ridiculous. I’m with you until you die.
A half smile twisted Tate’s lips as she moved toward the distortion. “If you ever change your mind, let me know.”
I won’t.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Tate stepped through.
THIRTEEN
The world twisted around Tate, spitting her back where she’d started this odd journey. She staggered, barely catching herself on the foot of one of the statues before she fell flat on her face.
Whatever exhaustion Tate had in the Rift felt like it had doubled.
She’d hit that wall everyone had. The one that represented your limits. Where your body couldn’t go any further. Surpassing your limits was always possible but it often took everything you had and required a determination and strength of will Tate didn’t possess at the moment.
She made it up one stair and then the next until a pair of shoes came into view, blocking her path.
Blearily, she lifted her head to find the Duke of Spiritly waiting in front of her. His expression was stern and his posture stiff as if this was the last place he wanted to be.
“My daughter relayed your request.”
Tate’s nod felt as if it came in slow motion.
Tate struggled to recall. What was her request again? After several long moments where Tate blinked dumbly at him, she remembered.
Right. The records and artifacts involving Jax.
“I suppose I have you to thank for her speaking to me again.” He grimaced, his expression saying he wasn’t entirely sure Tate wasn’t the cause of their rift in the first place.
Fair enough. She couldn’t claim truthfully that Roslyn would have renounced her family if Tate hadn’t been involved.
Tate’s tired snicker made the duke’s eyes sharpen.
There was only one problem with that scenario. Roslyn’s actions were predicated on a misconception. She’d thought the duke had compromised her values because of her.
“Something tells me Roslyn renouncing your family fell right into your plans,” Tate said with a twisted smile.
“Lord Ryuji was right. You’re quite the perceptive woman.” The way the duke said that made it seem as if he wasn’t entirely happy about that fact.
“I aim to please.”
“You’re right. I could have stopped Roslyn by explaining.”
“You were hoping the experience would help her.”
It wasn’t actually a bad plan. Adversity either brought out a person’s best or worst self, hardship shaping them and forcing them to grow. Before she’d separated from her family, Roslyn was consumed with obtaining and bonding with a relic. She’d defined her self-worth on a faulty basis, utterly unable to see the strengths she already had.
It was a gamble. Roslyn could have just as easily collapsed, unable to thrive without access to the privileges wealth and status brought.
Even though Roslyn was a stronger person now, there’d been no overtures made by the duke or his family to welcome her into their bosom again.
Tate could only think of one reason for that. “Why do you think she needs a relic to be strong?”
Some of the duke’s reserve faded. “This world can be a cruel place. Relics aren’t just about power. They’re the best way to protect yourself. Is it so wrong to want that for my child?”
