She giggled. “Only one.”
Just then Pharis walked through the door. Mareth and I both turned our heads then leapt to our feet. I rushed to him.
“Is she safe? Did it all go okay? You’re back so soon. I thought it might be days.”
“Wait—didyouhave something to do with Raewyn’s escape?” Mareth asked him.
Shaded stars.I’d spoken without thinking. It was a good thing the Three Pillars always stood together. She was in on it now.
“I left her in her village at the front door of her cottage—theonlydoor to that pitiful hovel,” Pharis said. “It’s not far enough from Seaspire for my liking, but it’s where she wanted to be. I need to askyousomething. Where is the witch?”
“The Earthwife is in the dungeon as far as I know,” I said.
“No. She’s not,” Pharis said and ran a hand through the top of his already disheveled hair. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“I’ve just come from there,” he said, his tone grave. “I was going to put an end to the troublesome woman before her story reached the wrong ears, but she was gone. I was hoping you’d had her executed.”
I shook my head. “I’ve been in here, under guard day and night since you left.”
His tone alarmed me. “How close is Raewyn’s village?” I asked.
If it was one of the human villages just on the border of our lands, my father’s soldiers could be there within minutes. So could Sorcha, if she was roaming free.
Pharis simply looked at me, raising one brow.
“What? I didn’t ask you to tell me the name of the place,” I said, instantly irritated, “just how far away it was.”
“Not far enough,” was all he said. “If Father ever decides to go looking—”
“He’s already gone,” I barked at him.
Then I modulated my voice, remembering my brother wasn’t the one I was angry with.
“What?” Pharis asked. “Gone where?”
“In search of Raewyn,” I said. “He’s already discovered she’s missing. Apparently the burning desire toseeher again woke him early today. Either that or someone reported her disappearance to him. He’s just left with an entire regiment of the King’s finest.”
“What is going on?” Mareth asked. “You’re both in on the escape?”
I turned to her. Keeping my voice low, I said, “Pharis volunteered to get her out of here. I accepted with gratitude.”
She turned to our brother, gaping. “Pharisvolunteered? To help ahuman?”
“For my sake,” I clarified. “He knows I love her.”
Pharis’ brows drew together, and his jaw stiffened. “I’ve got to go.”
He turned and started to leave the room. I grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
“Go where?”
“To warn her,” he said in a tone that indicated it should have been obvious. “She won’t have any idea they’re coming. I’ll have to take another horse. Dargan’s been riding too long.”
“Pharis, you’ve been riding as long as he has,” Mareth pointed out. “Have you even slept? You look like you’re about to drop.”
“I’m fine.” He shook his head and waved off her concern. “That’s not important.”
He tried to pull away again, but I held him. “You’re not fine. I’ll go.”
