He shrugs.
I consider the peaceful environment around me. “You told him to run.”
“East,” he says. “It’s the only way. They can’t cross the borders to the north or south, or they’ll be killed on sight. And they won’t be able to hide along the western coast like you could. But if they head east, they can take cover in the mountains along the way. There’s plenty of food and shelter. They only need to stay hidden until we break the curse.”
“It sounds like you’ve thought this through.”
More than the spur-of-the-moment idea I thought it was.
“There was a time,” he says, “long ago, when I considered disappearing into these mountains and never going back.”
I wish I could read more in his cold,coldeyes.
Eyes without a shred of hope in them.
“I will carry the hope,” I say.
His armored hand brushes my shoulder, trailing to my jaw, his thumb stroking my cheek. “Yes.”
For the next hour, we wait.
At first, my mind churns and my heart hurts, but slowly…as the minutes pass and the breeze lifts…my thoughts calm.
Twice, a fluttering begins in my chest, and I catch my breath, waiting for the Oracle vision, but the sensation fades, leaving me to fight confusion.
What warnings aren’t coming to me?
And why do some flow so easily while others sputterand die?
My right arm rests upturned across my lap, much of the blade’s image covered by my long sleeve.
With the forefinger of my left hand, I trace a line along the material, willing it to part to reveal more of the blade, but once again, the Lethian material stays right where it is.
My father told me to unwrap the blade.
Only once since the dagger sank into my body has its edge risen above the surface of my skin, and that was when the thread of Lethian silver was caught on it, tugging it upward…
With that thought, a question forms in my mind, but even for me, it’s too hopeful, too fragile.
Before I can speak, a low whistle sounds from above us, and Fortuna’s head rises. Both male eagles are also suddenly alert.
Moving in unison, Antony and I dart toward open ground, looking up to the roof, above the carvings of battle scenes.
Cassia stands at the edge, and a moment later, Rohan joins her, a hulking form, a new whistle sounding.
Fortuna and his eagle respond, lifting from the ground and soaring quickly upward.
For the briefest moment, Cassia remains paused there, looking down.
She gives her brother a smile, and that’s all, before she darts backward, following Rohan out of sight.
Moments later, their eagles reappear, quickly soaring into the sky, turning east, and disappearing into the distance.
Behind me, Azul makes a soft, keening sound, his crimson gaze focused on Fortuna until she’s a mere speck in the sky.
And then, they’re gone.
I tell myself Cassia and Rohan will be okay, but I don’t speak that thought aloud, conscious that it will sound as if I’ve Seen it.
