Chapter 17
AND THE PARTY GROWS
LEELA
Priti transported us out of the frozen landscape into milder territory. With the severe elements and the nagrata threat behind us, we could finally take an easy breath, but it also meant it was time for my friend to leave.
She’d died to save my life, then come back as Death to save it again by bringing Pashim to me. She was here but not here. I felt the shift beneath her tone and caught glimpses of it beneath her smile. She was still Priti, but she was more.
A pit opened inside me as I searched her face, looking for the woman who’d been my best friend, and when she smiled, that soft, tentative smile that I knew so well, the knots in my belly eased.
“Can’t you stay with us?”
She sighed. “I wish I could. But I’ve already intervened too much. There are rules, and…” She exhaled heavily again. “This is your path, not mine.” She cupped my shoulders. “I have every faith in you, Leela. Look how far you’ve come with only your grit, determination, and inner strength. I believed in you back atthe sea trial when I put myself between you and the beast, and I believe in you now.”
My throat pinched, eyes heating. “I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t.” She pressed a hand to my chest. “You carry me here. Always, and when the time comes for you to cross, I will be there to carry you also.” She gently pulled me into a hug, and it took everything I had not to release the sobs building in my chest.
“I love you, Priti.”
“I love you too.” She gave me a final squeeze and released me, stepping back. “Goodbye and good luck, all of you.” She turned to go.
“Wait, will I see you again before…you know. My time?”
Her gaze flicked to Pashim. “Only time will tell.” She stepped back and vanished into thin air.
“What was that look about?” Kalani asked Pashim.
He shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s get going.”
My gut told me he was hiding something, but I knew him well enough to know that pushing him would do no good. He’d share when he was ready and not before. It was up to me to respect that.
My boots sankinto soft earth, a sign that we were entering the warmer territories, which meant the settlement was near, thank goodness. My ass and thighs ached from all the walking, and my stomach felt hollow—we were running short on the food we’d brought with us and so were having to ration hard. Once we got to the settlement, we’d hopefully be able to top up.
Priti had transported us out of the frozen landscape into milder territory, and we’d made good progress toward the nearest portway. Three days on the road with one more to go.
Luckily for us, the area was mainly forestland with very few open spaces to allow any aerial spies to spot us.
I doubted the nagrata were still on our tail, but it was wise to remain vigilant. It had been days since I’d bathed properly. We’d found a river to wash in, a stream for fresh water, but I needed a proper scrub. The settlement would have running water and baths. Gods, I couldn’t wait to sink into hot, soapy water.
A whisper brushed my ear.Leela.
I smiled. “I feel you, C’ael. I know you’re here.”
A warm pressure bloomed at the small of my back. His hand. He was with us, his presence getting stronger by the day. I had no doubt he’d manifest fully soon.
Another warm brush against my cheek. One more whisper.Back soon…
The air shifted, less charged now that he’d retreated to wherever he went to recharge.
I missed him, despite the fact we hadn’t had long together. He said he was connected to me, and I believed it. Iblees had summoned him. Made him. Whatever. And Iblees was my twin flame. C’ael was a part of usbothnow. The primordial evil couldn’t control him, and I’d be damned if I allowed him to fuck with his memory again.
C’ael was mine to protect.
Mine…
“The sun will go down soon,” Pashim said. “We should find a good spot to make camp.”
