“He needed access,” Silla said numbly, “to the heart of my magic. He could not take it for himself—I had to grant it to him.” She closed her eyes. Took a steadying breath. “Do you think he’s still there? I do not feel him.”
Rey began pacing on the shining black floor, but he did not answer her question. “I carried you on my horse to Kopa. Jarl Hakon set everything up for us—a pillar execution paired with a guard change on the walls—it was enough for us to slip through Kopa unnoticed and reach Ashfall’s gates.”
“Ashfall,” repeated Silla numbly. The fortress carved into the fire mountain. But then, her mind took several steps back. “I slept the entire ride to Kopa? But that’s…” She tried to count the days but gave up.
“Seven days,” said Rey. “We moved with haste.”
Silla’s mind reeled. Seven days. How could it be? “Oh, gods! Saga! We must—” Silla threw the covers aside, making to leap out of bed, but was stilled by a firm hand on her shoulder. Rey dropped to his knees before her, taking her hand in his and stroking it softly. His eyes met hers, and Silla’s heart lurched violently. “What is it?” she demanded, fear and worry tangling inside her.
“We’ve had word from Sunnavík,” Rey said slowly. “There was an explosion.”
Her free hand went absently to her mouth. “Was she hurt? Was she—” Silla couldn’t finish the thought.
“We don’t know,” he answered. “The Uppreisna has spies in the castle who feed us information. Princess Yrsa is confirmed among the dead, and the queen and king sustained survivable injuries. But Saga has not been found.”
Silla exhaled slowly. But then his words caught up with her. “Not been found. But what does thatmean?”
Rey stroked her hand, looking up at her. “You’ve just awoken. Do you want me to send for food? Some bread perhaps?”
Silla’s brows dropped low. “Tell me, Galtung.”
His jaw flexed, but he continued. “She is missing. No trace has been found of her in Askaborg Castle. Ivar”—he scowled—“he accuses Saga of working in concert with the Zagadkians to attempt his assassination.”
Silla’s lips parted on an incredulous breath. “Do you think it true?” Saga. Her beautiful, resourceful sister.
“I do not know,” admitted Rey. “It is said they’ve scoured the castle high and low, with hounds and men alike. There’s no trace of her. Our spies have reported Saga’s engagement to Prince Bjorn was recently broken over some indiscretion of hers. It was her engagement feast to…Magnus…when the explosion occurred.”
Silla sank back on the bed, thoughts whirling. “Did she escape?” she asked in wonder. “When last we spoke mind-to-mind, I guided her through her Cohesion Rite. She’d been slipped the catalyst…” Her voice trailed off. “Surely she’d have told me if she’d planned to assassinate Ivar. And surely, if it was the Uppreisna who had her, your spies would know.” But where did that leave Saga? Silla’s heart pounded with fear and cautious hope.
“I must contact her, mind-to-mind, and confirm her safety.” Closing her eyes, she sought the deep folds of her mind—the place where she’d twice spokento Saga. But as she probed inwardly, Silla realized she could not feel the heart of her magic.
Silla’s eyes flew open, panic sliding through her. “I cannot feel it.”
Rey dragged a hand through his hair, his gaze growing distant.
“Reynir?”
He scowled at her, running a tongue along his teeth. “For your own safety, we’ve been dosing you with those quills.”
Anger gathered within her. “Youwhat?”
“Some suggested securing you to the bed with hindrium cuffs. I thought this a milder solution.”
Silla’s mouth fell open, and she slammed it shut. Visions of decapitated Klaernar filled her mind’s eye, and she took a steadying breath. “I understand,” she muttered. “It was wise of you to do so. But now…I cannot access my galdur?”
He shook his head.
“What of Saga? I must try to contact her.”
“Sunshine, it’s too dangerous,” said Rey uneasily. “If you’d seen what I did…but surely you recall some of it?” He drew a deep breath. Held her gaze steadily. “It is only for a time—until we understand how to release you from the bargain.”
“But what about Saga?” Tears of frustration welled in her eyes. All those weeks of training with the goal of freeing Saga. And now that they were in Kopa, with Jarl Hakon’s ear, Saga’s whereabouts were unknown. It was maddening…infuriating.
Rey’s hand slid along her jaw, thumb swiping a tear from her cheek. “We can do nothing but wait for now. Wait for more news from Sunnavík.”
Another tear slid down her cheek. “What if harm has befallen her?”
He stared at her, the determination in his eyes feeding her strength. “I think our spies would know it by now. But if it turns out she’s been harmed, we shall make them pay in blood.”
