‘Mine too,’ Benny replies.
Jonas doesn’t bother commenting. I don’t know if the others even know what his magic is, but even if they do, now doesn’t feel like the right moment to test it.
‘They’ve done something to them,’ Loch continues his babbling. ‘They’ve done something.’
‘Them? Do you mean the other Rettlings?’ I ask, only for a noisefrom outside to steal our attention. The driver of the carriage is calling out, slowing the horses. As it draws to a stop, none of us move.
‘I don’t think I want to do this.’ Loch’s voice sounds more like a child’s than a middle-aged man’s. ‘I don’t think I can do this. I don’t think I can face them.’
Jonas reaches over and grabs his hand. ‘You heard what we said on the way over here, didn’t you? Whatever it is we’re about to face, we face it together.’
Warmth floods through me. Jonas may have made more than one comment that has irked me over the last couple of weeks, but then he goes and does something like this – finds exactly the right words to say – and my heart melts.
‘Come on, buddy. I’ve got you,’ Benny says. He opens the carriage door and steps out first, waiting for Loch to follow.
As Llinos stands to join them, Jonas grabs me by the wrist.
‘One minute,’ he says. ‘Just give me one minute.’
Given there’s a patch of wet on his fur that I’m fairly sure is my drool, I figure I can give him this. Even if I’m burning to know what’s out there.
‘Rose.’ Jonas’s voice is low, his eyes solely on mine, like we’re the only things that matter and not the trial waiting just outside that could very well kill us. ‘Whatever we face today, I need you to promise me you won’t take any risks. Promise me that.’
I laugh. It’s not deliberate, but it’s the most ridiculous thing he could possibly say.
‘Not take any risks? Jonas, we’re going into atrial. This is the Retterheld. It’s meant to be one giant risk. That’s why we deserve a gifting at the end of it. One of us, anyway.’
‘I know that. I do. But you have people here. Friends with powers. Friends whocanrisk their lives because they’re in a better position to fight than you. If it comes to that, let them take the fall. Keep yourself safe.’
I study him, wanting to make sure I’m understanding him correctly. But I am. IknowI am.
‘Are you saying I should just let my friends die?’ I ask. ‘If that’s the best option for me?’
‘I’m one hundred percent saying that, yes.’ He nods. ‘Everybody signed up for this knowing they would face death.’
‘Everyone including me,’ I tell him.
‘Please. Please, for me.’
He lifts his hand and cups the side of my cheek, histhumb brushing gently across my jaw. There it is again, that fizzing, twisting in my stomach. It’s as potent and dizzying as the first time I saw him again in the High Hold.
‘For me, Rose,’ he entreats. ‘There’s so much I want to tell you. So much I need to tell you. You just have to survive this, okay? Promise me. No unnecessary risks.’
I open my mouth, still not sure how I’m going to reply, but I don’t get a chance. Before I realise what’s happening, his lips are on mine. Days of not knowing where exactly he and I stand, and finally I have my answer.
There is an urgency to the way he kisses me, like it might be the only time he gets to do it. But thinking like that won’t help either of us.
I press my hand to his chest, not sure if it’s to move him away or simply to feel him. And before I’ve made up my mind, there’s a hammering on the door. Leaning away from him, I push the door open.
‘Time to get out, guys.’ Llinos offers us only a fleeting glance before turning back to whatever is awaiting us. ‘You’re gonna want to see this.’
Chapter 27
The good news is, there are no spectators at this particular trial. But that’s where the good news ends.
Jonas’s prediction was very wrong. Rather than the forest, we’re at the beach, standing on the edge of a dune with sparse grasses growing in dense tufts over the undulating landscape. The waves crash against the shore in the distance, and further out, whitecaps rise ten feet into the air above the churning grey sea.
But it barely warrants a second glance because we’re not swimming today. Or ever going in the water.
