“The ether ships rest in the Upsara Cove between trips,” Pashim said. “If you can get there, you may be able to convince one of them to take you.”
“How far is that?”
“A week by foot,” Ravi said sharply. “We should visit Vasuki first and?—”
“Youshould visit Vasuki.Ineed to go to Shantivan.”
His brows pinched. “I’m not letting you make the trip alone.”
“She won’t be alone,” C’ael said with a gentle frown. “I’ll be with her, and so will Kalani.”
“No,” Kalani said. “I think our interests will be best served if I go with Ravi.”
“Wait a second,” Ravi said. “What makes you think that I want you with me?”
“It’s not about what you want. It’s about what’s needed, and?—”
“Enough!” Pashim said. “Leela won’t have to make the journey at all.” He looked over my head.
I turned to see Priti walk into our campsite, staff held loosely in her hand, brow arched toward Pashim. “You called?”
He did?
“Yes,” Pashim said. “I need you to take Leela and C’ael to Shantivan.”
She winced. “I’m sorry, Pashim. I can’t afford to make that long a journey right now.” She looked to the side, as if seeing something we couldn’t. “There are other factors to consider that I am not at liberty to disclose.”
“Fine, can you get them to the Upsara coast? Onto an ether ship.”
“That I can do. But we must leave now.”
I looked to Pashim. “How did you call her?”
Priti answered for him. “We have an arrangement. Now hurry and pack up. Please. I have duties I must return to.”
“What kind of arrangement?”
The air felt suddenly thinner. Priti closed her eyes for a beat. “It’s a private arrangement. Now please. Get ready to leave.”
Her tone, calm and authoritative, left me feeling like a child. She had changed, more than I’d realized. I swallowed the lump in my throat and began to gather my things.
The weight of leaving battled with the hope of being reunited with Araz, even if it was via a dreamscape bridge.
It didn’t take long to be ready, and knots formed in my belly. I was making the right call, wasn’t I?
Pashim pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. “I’ll see you soon, Leela.”
What kind of arrangement? I wanted to ask but bit back the question, wanting to respect his privacy.
Ravi hugged me next. “Be safe. I’ll be waiting for you at camp, hopefully with an army.”
I tipped my face up to his. “Thank you for always believing in me.”
“And now it’s good to see you believing in yourself.”
I turned to Kalani next, slipping off my bracelet and handing it to her. “The token from Vasuki. If you’re going with Ravi, then you’ll need it.”
She slipped it on and fixed a dark, determined gaze on me. “We won’t let you down.”
