Ayla chuckles. “Who knows? And to be honest, I have enough to worry about with mortals. Let the gods sort out their problems.”
With that, the door to Enduvida swings open, and a chill passes over my skin as Rahda is nudged toward the entrance.
It’s the air that hits me first. The smell of sulfur and Enduar cooking.
It’s spicy, hearty, and, oh gods,warm. In the distance, the pumps that keep the temperature even work methodically. No sweeter sound has ever reached my ears, I swear it.
The rest of the cave is quiet. Everyone should be sleeping safely and soundly. My awareness shifts back to the humans, and I can almost hear some of the women’s breathing change as they walk in.
I slide off Rahda, and Teo follows. He follows alongside me anyway, not minding my deviation from leading the group.
“Welcome to Enduvida,” I say repeatedly as they pass by.
Teo nods and holds onto the crystal wraith’s reins.
“Ladies, please follow Niht. He will take you to a place where we can eat. Then we will work on distributing suppliesand beds,” My husband calls as we push into the cave so the bear can pass.
Niht heads to the front of the line, walking with Glyni, and he grins at everyone he passes. He’s such a joyful, kind man.
The reactions are as varied as the women’s. Some look around fearfully, while others are caught up in every beautiful detail and carving. I smile.
Just wait until they see the crystals. The Ardorflame.
Just wait untilyousee them again, my star.
Teo speaks in my mind, and I look at him with the most vulnerable smile I’ve given anyone in a very long time.
Ulla passes by us and shares a smile, as well.
I reach out and take her hand.
“Welcome home,” she says in Enduar.
I grin as I choke up. It’s been good to hear her and listen to her gentle, kind humming once more. She’s been so helpful in tending to the women as we traveled.
“I’m going to the clock tower,” she says. “Everyone will want to be awake for this.”
“Do you think it will be too much for them?” I ask, jerking my head in the direction of the women.
Ulla considers it for a second.
“I don’t anticipate any wild events, and it will be good to have the extra hands to help them get settled into places to sleep.”
“Very well,” Teo says, and she heads out.
Finally, the line of thirty women, flanked by Joso and the other hunter I don’t recognize, ends. Chiding myself for not knowing everyone’s name yet, I nod at them.
Joso comes over, his eyes wide.
“This is… incredible.” He breathes, while his companion follows the women all the way down the tunnels and into the cave. The one male slave who we brought back comes in as well.
“They aren’t just here to be mates,” I say quickly, protectively.
He nods. “Of course not. But we’ve never freed so many slaves, not even on our best stealing raids from the giants’ trading caravans.”
Mention of the giants suppresses my mood like putting a wet cloth over a candle flame. The gnawing feeling in my gut reminds me that not all is finished, and we are not free. There is still a war brewing. Perhaps the fighting in the feasting hall has slowed things down and forged enemies between those who were seeking alliances, but maybe…
I remember King Arion’s words about Arlet and killing every last person in the tunnel. My heart picks up into a gallop, and I take Teo’s hand, pulling him into the cave with me. As soon as we exit the tunnel, the full grandiosity of Enduvida rams into me and steals my breath.
