Calm settled over her heart, and she knew there was only one thing she was willing to do.
With a slow exhale, she closed her eyes, fully immersing herself into her connection with Valorre. She could almost feel the earth give way beneath her feet, as if she were standing beside him, could almost sense the mild summer breeze dancing through her hair.
Yes.
She felt it.
Felt everything about the location as if she were already there.
Tugging her hands from Morkai’s, she opened her palm, dropped the crystal to the ground, and took a wide step back. Soft earth cradled her heels, rooting her upon moss and soil.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself outside the castle wall, a startled Valorre blinking back at her.
40
For hours they rode, stopping only when they were far enough away from the castle that Cora felt safe. She didn’t think she’d been followed, but she wanted to place distance between herself and the castle nonetheless. The night was still dark when she finally slid down from Valorre’s back. She groaned with relief, her legs aching from riding bareback after having spent so much of her recent time indoors. Valorre nudged her shoulder with his muzzle in a comforting gesture, and the sympathy she felt from him nearly brought a sob from her throat. But she refused to cry. She didn’t have time to break down, no matter how deep her fatigue.
The sound of running water snagged her attention. A small stream trickled over a narrow rock bed, a soothing melody in contrast to Cora’s frantic heartbeat. She crouched before it and gathered a handful of water in her palms. The cool liquid chilled her fingertips and tingled her skin, which served to sharpen her mind. After taking a few sips, she splashed some on her face. It was so cold it was almost painful, but at least it made her feel more awake. More capable of sorting through what had happened. What she’d learned.
Morkai was somehow alive.
In Teryn’s body.
She didn’t understand how Morkai had taken over Teryn’s body, nor did she remember what she’d left behind that had made it possible. She knew there was…something. Some item that escaped her memory the more she tried to think about it. Whatever the case, she understood enough about the situation to guess Morkai had likely regained his strength after Cora left. He could be looking for her. Tracking her.
Which meant she needed a plan. Now.
A familiar presence entered her awareness, and thankfully it wasn’t a threatening one. Glancing up, she found a falcon-shaped silhouette circling overhead.
She followed us from the castle, Valorre said, coming up beside her. He lowered his muzzle to drink from the stream while Berol flew down and landed on a nearby rock. Her wings were splayed with agitation, much like they’d been when she’d barged into the tower room with Larylis’ letter?—
The letter!
After everything that had happened since yesterday, she’d forgotten Larylis’ missive. It remained where she’d left it last, in her apron pocket. She remembered the words, though, his inquiry over Teryn’s well-being after Berol had brought him a scrap of his shirt.
Her eyes darted to Berol. “You knew it wasn’t him, didn’t you?”
She let out a sharp, keening cry.
Cora regretted that she couldn’t send a letter back. Not that she could fully explain what had happened. What could she even say?Your brother has been possessed by a sorcerer, but I cannot tell you how or why because some strange magic has made me forget. I promise I’m not crazy. Don’t come to Ridine, or your own brother will probably kill you?—
Mother Goddess.
The signing of the peace pact.
Laryliswasgoing to Ridine. In fact, he might already be on his way. Verdian too. In a matter of days, Morkai was going to have every monarch who stood in his way in one location. They were falling right into his trap.
She had to warn Larylis.
Cora rose to her feet and tore a scrap of fabric off the bottom of her chemise. Then she scoured the moonlit ground nearby, procuring a thin stick. Finally, she hastily dug beneath the underbrush, turning fresh soil. Gathering a handful of water from the stream, she made a thick paste. Overall, her writing materials were crude at best, but she had no other option. And while blood would serve as better ink than mud, she didn’t dare use something of such value. Should Morkai get hold of this, he could use her blood against her.
With trembling hands, she dipped the tip of the stick in the dark paste and brought it to the fabric. She froze, still stuck with the same dilemma regarding what she could say. There was no way she could convey the dangers lurking at Ridine, especially with such limited accommodations. No matter what she said, she couldn’t caution him from going to Ridine. His wife was there. She didn’t know Larylis well, but if he was anything like Teryn, he’d make haste to reach Mareleau, regardless of the risk to himself.
Instead, she’d have to give him a warning that would allow him to make his own assessment.
Danger at Ridine. Teryn isn’t Teryn. Trust no one.
—Cora
