He inclines his head, a small nod, and my legs nearly buckle with relief.
Gallium wraps me up in a hug, his voice the barest breath of sound at my ear. “Be careful.”
When he pulls back, his determined expression reminds me of my own resolve. The warmth of his hand on my shoulder speaks to the unbreakable bond of family that will always give me strength, no matter how dark our fate seems.
I press my left palm to my hip a little above the location of the belt I’ve wrapped around my upper thigh. It’s impossible to seebeneath the flowing folds of the overly decorative dress Queen Karasi gave me to wear.
My hammer is strapped to my left thigh and my medallions are wrapped around my left calf.
The fae won’t have realized that I’m carrying my tools. The contact with the metal may light up my eyes and hair, but my glow is easily overlooked under the bright lights in this place, especially since the Queen overloaded me with powders and serums to accentuate the contours of my cheekbones and the color of my pale-green eyes.
Thaden may well have sensed that I’m carrying my tools, but I’m certain he will now attribute it to my fear of Asha.
I only wish I could have brought Gallium’s hammer, too. He doesn’t exactly have a long gown to hide it under.
He gives me a crooked smile and doesn’t try to conceal his speech. If Thaden’s listening, I’m certain he’ll interpret it as Gallium simply siding with me.
“Always remember,” Gallium says. “I’ll fight beside you.”
I turn back to the door, waiting for it to reopen and for Thaden to reappear.
I make myself a promise: If he threatens Asha, we will kill him.
No matter the cost.
Chapter 2
Five tense minutes later, the door opens.
Thaden steps back into the room, pausing as the door closes behind him, an air of calm about him that I consider with misgiving.
Is he about to tell us we will go with Asha after all?
There’s a part of me that desperately needs to stay with her. Facing Milena Ironmeld will be a dangerous task for her. But again, I remind myself Asha is strong; she is prepared for Milena’s enmity, and the Vandawolf will fight at her side.
It’s Thaden who could truly hurt her.
By keeping him away from her, I’ve removed the greatest threat to her.
“Thaden?” Gallium prompts. “Is Asha okay?”
Thaden’s expression is troubled. “I sent Asha in Milena’s direction, but I also promised Asha I would do what she asks,” he says. “I’ll take you to my old village inMyrkur Fjall, where you will be safe from the fight between fae and humans.”
Myrkur Fjallis a human village that sits in the shadow of a mountain somewhere in the north. Supposedly. I only have Thaden’s description of the village and its location, none of which might be true.
Still, I’m intensely relieved at the confirmation that Asha is safe from him for now. Even if I can’t show it.
Then he continues. “But she agreed with me that I ought to find her as soon as I can. She needs me beside her in the fight against Milena.”
His gaze is distant, and the tension around his mouth is growing. I wish I could read his thoughts and make sense of the web he’s trying to weave right now.
My jaw clenches, but I try to hide my frustration.
I should have anticipated that he would try to join her again on his own—after all,Iwas the one who pushed her away, not him. What irks me the most is that he makes it sound as ifheis all she needs.
If I weren’t pretending to hate Asha right now, I would make it clear to Thaden that Asha needsusat her side. She needs her family.
Together, our power would be unbeatable.
