“I don’t know where we are or how to explain it, but I know the First Gods would never allow me in their presence. They’ve made it perfectly clear I am nothing to them. Which is fine because I don’t want their skies-forsaken Kalima powers.”
“Do you think I’m happy about this?” I wave my hand to encompass the shack. “But refusing to accept our situation won’t help matters.”
“I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t understand how any of this is possible.”
“Temujin is Goddess-touched,” I say. Then I quickly explain the rest: how Temujin was healed with Loridium, how the shrines are a gateway, and how the Shoniin believe the empire is supposedly corrupt.
“And how does your night spinning factor into all of this?”
I look down at my hands. “In exchange for rescuing you from the prison wagon, I promised to use my night spinning to help Temujin ferry deserters from the war front.”
It sounds worse, admitting it out loud.
Serik sucks in a gasp and I brace for another onslaught, but instead he traces the golden stitches down the edge of his cloak. When he finally looks up, I’m surprised to find his eyes are fervent beneath his downcast lashes. Reverent, almost. “You’re willing to do that for me?”
“You know I’d do anything for you.”
He holds my gaze for another charged moment and my skin feels too tight. Or maybe my insides are too big? Either way, I have to look away in order to breathe.
“As much as I appreciate your help, I obviously can’t let this happen,” Serik says.
“What do you mean youcan’t let this happen? It’s not like we have a choice.”
“Youdo have a choice. You’re not imprisoned.”
“What are you talking about?” He’s got that glint in his eyes again. The same expression he wore when he convinced me to drink vorkhi and sneak into the Qusbegi Festival. The one that means I won’t like whatever comes out of his mouth next.
“Leave, En. Escape. Don’t let Temujin use you for your power.”
I swat his hands away. “Have you lost all sense? I can’t just leave you here.”
“You can. I want you to. I’m begging you to.”
“Do you realize what you’re asking?” I shoot to my feet. “What do you expect me to do? Scamper back to Ashkar, settle down with a caravan of herders, and pretend I didn’t abandon you?”
“Do you realize whatyou’reasking of me? I have no interest in being the bait Temujin uses to manipulate you. I won’t be able to live with myself.”
“Neither will I!”
“Please, Enebish.” Serik’s voice is a frayed whisper. “Go. Before you do something you can’t take back.”
I shake my head so vehemently, my hair comes unbound and snarls across my face. “I don’t have a clue how to leave this place, even if I wanted to.”
“If you care for me at all, you’ll find a way.”
“If you care formeat all, you won’t ask me to! And this isn’t just about us. What if the Shoniin are telling the truth about the Protected Territories and the war front?” I’ve been so focused on saving Serik and Orbai, I hadn’t given much consideration to this possibility until the words tumble out of my mouth.
“What?”Serik gapes at me as if I just spoke Verdenese. “You can’t possibly believe their propaganda.”
“I don’t.” At least I don’t think I do. “But Temujin was right about you being sent to Gazar. And you haven’t seen the horrible conditions on the grazing lands. Maybe some good could come from me going on one of these missions? It would allow me to survey the war front and speak with soldiers. If the empire is truly as corrupt as Temujin claims, I want to help the people. And this is the only way we’ll know definitively who to trust.”
“Find other ways to help. In our realm. That don’t require treason.”
“There are no other ways. We’re trapped.”
The door whines open and Temujin strides into the shack. “I hate to break up this joyful reunion….” The way he glances between me and Serik leaves no doubt he heard every word of our argument. “But Enebish has a commitment to fulfill.”
“Now?” I curse the blasted tremble in my voice—and how it cements Serik’s unyielding expression. “You’ve only just returned from retrieving Serik. Don’t you need to rest and—”
