The truth hurts. There’s nothing to be found out here.
The warmth seeping into my hands, legs, and clothes helps keep away some of the chill of failure. One must celebrate the small things to bear the weight of the future.
A new idea has been percolating in the back of my mind. If there are no women to meet, we must be flexible in our strategy. We simply don’t have time to scour every inch of the forest when Estela is still with the giants.
A familiar panic claws up my throat, and I stroke the bond. When I do, that channel right below my heart stirs, and I gasp.
The sensation fades quickly. But feeling her, if it’s just her soul, is enough for me.
“Tomorrow, we will go to the Elvish capital, and we will request an audience with King Arion,” I say, trying not to sound like I am choking on the words despite them sticking to the back of my throat. It would be painfully humiliating to go back to him and ask for help after he is the reason my wife is gone in the first place.
“Teo, no,” Ulla says immediately, stopping her gentle singing and dropping the handle of the spoon she was using to tend to the dried meat softening in boiling water.
I meet her gaze. “We can’t go home empty-handed.”
She frowns, but Ra'Salore’s face has turned sour.
“Groveling at the feet of those who betrayed us is not something I can support.”
I watch him stand up and follow suit.
“What other choice do we have? We came this far because we need assistance to free my mate.”
He sneers. “Perhaps the humans are more trouble than they are worth. You only had her for a few short months. Just let things be—there are other matehoods. Soon, there will be children. As king, it is your duty to place the needs of the people above your own. Always.”
The air is electric, and Ulla’s face darkens. “King Teo has sacrificed?—”
“We have all sacrificed,”Ra'Salore practically shouts.
I’ve never seen him so angry, not even after his brother’s death.
“My brother was beheaded for the cause of the humans. I know that was his choice, but he and my mother were all the family I had left. My sisters were killed in the eruption. My father gave his life as a member of one of the king’s battalions. I have come here out of duty, but my family’s headcount has notbeen improved by the humans—not yet. I won’t die before I can carry on my line. Perhaps my loyalty to the crown has been misplaced.” The words are tumbling out of him, like years of unspoken confessions.
Each word lands its blow, and I feel a deep shame in the pit of my stomach.
Niht stands next to him and puts his hand on his shoulder.
“Ra'Salore,” he says as the other Enduar yanks his arm away.
“Do not try to placate me, old man. I’m going to sleep, and in the morning, I am going home. As I think all of you should,” he says.
The sound of laughter fills the air, causing everyone to freeze. It’s a jarring, foreign sound in the wake of our fight.
A second later, a form appears right next to Ulla. She gasps as arms wrap around her, pulling her close. A knife is pressed to her throat.
“Ulla,” I choke out as the figure is fully revealed.
A tall elf with short, well-combed white hair that sticks out around sun-tanned skin, pointed ears, and piercing green eyes stands in the middle of the camp. His garb is dark, nearly black.
I draw the knife tucked into my waistband, lamenting the armor and sword lying in my tent. Ra'Salore and Niht are more prepared. They point their blades at him, and he makes a tsking sound.
“Now, now, gentlemen. While you are a fearsome sight, with your heavy metal and azure skin, be careful where you stick those blades, or you’ll find your companion bleeding out on the ground faster than you can swipe me with one of your tails.”
“Are you one of Arion’s assassins?” I growl at him, and he turns his perfectly straight nose toward Ulla. Her eyes are wide, and she clutches the arm holding her immobile.
All of his attention fixes on Ulla. He is only slightlytaller than her. If she were to turn and look at him, it would almost look like a warm embrace.
His expression hardens. Then he jostles her, eliciting a soft whimper, and gives me a simple “No.”
