“Oddly enough, that’s exactly what she’s going to do,” Jakan noted, humour lacing his tone.
“Oh?” Terrance refocussed on me.
“I’ll tell you the plan soon,” I promised. “But I need your birds to deliver a few messages first. I need them to find Abil’s sons and tell them where I am; also Cyrus, Abil, and Adeline. My sister will be with Cyrus.”
“What about Pica?” he replied, moving toward a long, wooden side table set beneath a window.
He began tearing up small pieces of paper and writing on them. I guessed he was the only person who could actually hear the birds’ whispering. The others would have to make do with notes.
“Pica is in the imprisonment realm,” I said without hesitation. “She’s probably reuniting with her child as we speak.”
Terrance’s hand faltered, and the others exchanged glances. Something like guilt or shame prickled along the back of my neck, and I glanced at my feet.Was I acting like Staviti already?
“Pica had imprisoned Willa,” Jakan spoke up, his hand landing on my shoulder again. His defence of me was immediate. “She was not going to release her. She even had a special blade of Crowe created so that Willa’s objections to becoming her daughter would be silenced.”
Ciune shook her head, and pity passed over the faces of the others, though they didn’t reply. Terrance finished writing his notes and moved outside without another word.
“You cannot allow yourself to feel guilt over sending Pica there.” Jakan’s hand tightened on my shoulder, turning me around to face him. “You were only protecting yourself, and you are not yet experienced enough to have full control over your power. If there were any alternatives, you wouldn’t have known how to use them. Never apologise for protecting yourself, because the worlds need you, Willa.”
“Your guilt is beautiful,” Brian spoke up. “I’ve never seen anyone with such beautiful guilt.” When Jakan shot him a look, he quickly hurried to add. “But of courseyouare right.” This time he spoke to Jakan. “You are incredibly wise, and you give such good advice. We are all lucky to simply be in your presence, so that we might also receive your helpful and wise advice.”
“Here’smyadvice,” Lorda muttered dryly, “why don’t you go stand in a corner and shut the fuck up already?”
