“Do you know who he is?” I ask warily, studying my brother’s expression.
He frowns and shakes his head as he stares at Mal. “I don’t think so. You look like someone, though.”
I exhale. "Bain carried you all the way from the temple. And you stink. So you should thank him."
"Well, thank you, Bain. Sorry I wasn't awake to enjoy it." Jordi's grin makes me laugh. Even Malachi's eyes crinkle. "Are you the one staying in my quarters?"
"Yes. So I should be thanking you."
Jordi turns to me. The grin on his face makes my stomach drop. "I figured out who he reminds me of. He looks just like those heroes in those romance?—”
“Jordan!”
"—novels!”
"I read three of those books!Three!”
"Until the pages fell off," he says, laughing, then wincing. "Gods, that hurts."
"Good." I glare at him, then at Malachi, who looks far too amused.
"I don't think I've ever seen you blush," he says, eyes bright.
I groan and turn away to busy myself with tidying the room. There’s another knock, and I turn back around to watch Draven enter the room. He greets Jordi with a tight hug and pulls away when Mal clears his throat.
"We need to speak with both of you."
I lean against the table behind me. The cages underneath rattle with my weight.
"Draven leaves for Vindariel soon. You should go with him." Malachi's voice is calm but firm. "If you don't want to stay there, he can take you to Aerathos or anywhere else. But you can't stay here."
Jordi's eyes narrow. First on Malachi. Then on me. "Did the two of you plan this?"
My sigil flares. "When, exactly? While we were saving your life? Or while we were trying not to get caught by the legion?"
He crosses his arms. "I'm not leaving you behind."
My chest tightens. I look at Draven. At Malachi. Back to Jordi.
"I made a bargain with Mortiana,” I blurt out.
Draven makes a choked sound.
Jordi stares at me. "Youwhat?"
"I made a bargain. I cannot leave until I repay my debt."
"Ada." He sets his hands on his matted hair. Paces the few steps the room allows. Stops. Paces again. When he faces me, his eyes are wide with fear. "This is what I ...Gods." His gaze darts to Malachi, then me. "Does he know?"
I stiffen. "No."
Jordi laughs. It's not a happy sound. "Of course not."
"Know what?" Malachi's voice has gone quiet. Deadly.
"Nothing," I say through clenched teeth. I hold Jordi's gaze. "If you know as much as you claim, you understand this is the only way."
His eyes fill with tears. And somehow, that fills mine too. As if we draw from the same well.
