A year ago, we would’ve simply slept together. Even though we’d been forced to cuddle for warmth on the journey, this was different. Now that we had Reynard and Lily, the very idea of sleeping in the same bed felt wrong. At least for me, it did, and judging by how neatly Irsha arranged his bedding, he also wanted to avoid any misunderstandings.
I threw him another pillow with a murmured, ‘Thank you.’
‘You don’t thank family, Trouble. We always look after each other,’ Irsha said, checking the window and door. I watchedhim securing them with makeshift crowbars and latches before stripping off his outer clothing and burrowing under the blanket. I followed suit, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. Still, there was one thought that gnawed at me.
‘Irsha?’ I said. He grunted in response, so I continued. ‘Once we get to Ernesto Tivala’s castle, you have to leave. If we’re caught, Ernesto might use me to blackmail Reynard, but you’ll be executed, or he’ll hurt you to keep me in check.’
‘Go to sleep, Roksana, you’re tired,’ came from under the covers, and I sighed, cursing the stubborn man. I had a plan, imperfect as it was, but the plan only covered one person sneaking into the castle. I had to convince my stubborn guardian to let me go alone.
I’ll drug him senseless if I have to,I thought, listening to his slow breathing broken by the occasional snore. I could sacrifice a lot for my goals, but I refused to let Irsha become a casualty in this war. What I’d said was true. I would survive an encounter with Tivala, not unscathed, but he’d keep me alive as an axe to hold over Rey’s head. Irsha was too dangerous, and I’d bet my poisons that Ernesto would keep me around to watch his execution.
My fear spiked, and the blood roared through my veins at the thought of the consequences if we were caught. I forced myself to breathe slowly. I couldn’t have doubts. Not now. Whether I lived or died was up to fate, but if I failed, there must be someone to warn Dagome.
Irsha had a better chance of returning alive alone than dragging me through the frozen mud, avoiding both guards and Jagon’s men. As for my return? I wouldn’t survive the srebrec Pillars if they kept us there for questioning, and there was only one way that led from Tivalaran to Dagome that I was sure would be left unguarded.
The one full of monsters.
The frozen depths of Piran’s Swamp.
Chapter 30
Roksana
Ididn’t want to wake up. The crisp, clean linen slid against my skin each time I turned. Its soft rustling soothed my mind, which drifted away despite my worrying over the strenuous journey.
The steppes emerged from the mist, with the buzzing of insects and scents of flowers filling the air with sweetness. Horses pranced in the distance, playfully evading my father’s men as they corralled them, herding a massive black stallion to the pen.Well, this is new.I chuckled to myself; never before had a black stallion appeared in my dreams.Are you a big black horse now, Rey?
The symbolism was uncanny. I could feel the untamed wildness radiating from the horse’s muscular body. I chuckled, stretching my arms to touch him. I’d have preferred the man, but if my dreams made him into a horse, I would happily cuddle him.
‘Roksana, where the fuck are you? Answer me.’ The voice came from behind, commanding, searching, and unmistakably Rey’s. I turned around, and there he was. A mirage dressed inthe white shirt and silken brown trousers he loved to sleep in. I stretched out my arms, savouring the sight. The relief on his face was immense. Rey rushed towards me, his form sharpening with each step.
‘This is new as well,’ I muttered, tilting my head when a grimace replaced the relief on his features. ‘Wipe this frown off your face, or I’ll send you back to the fog and dream of a better version.’
He paused, confused, before taking one last step and engulfing me in his embrace. ‘I’m not a dream… Well, I am, partially. Riordan has been sending me into your dreams these past three nights, but I couldn’t reach you.’ He huffed in frustration, grasping my chin when I shook my head.
‘What? That’s dangerous. Why are you doing that?’ So many things could go wrong with a dreamwalking spell. ‘Riordan should never have let someone without training cross the bridge of dreams. What’s going on?’
Rey’s expression softened. His calloused thumb traced the contours of my lips before he leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. ‘He didn’t have a choice. I threatened to abandon the throne if I couldn’t see you safe with my own eye.’ He pressed a sweet, chaste kiss on my forehead. ‘You look beautiful, Viper. So beautiful I almost gave up telling you how angry and worried you made me.’
‘I sent you a letter…’
‘And thank fuck it burned in the mines. If I’d read it then…’ A shiver ran through him when he inhaled sharply, pulling away. ‘Do you know the dread I felt when I returned, and you weren’t in Truso? I asked everyone – Boyan, Lily, every single soul – but all they told me was that you were heading south with Irsha.’ He was breathing hard now, and I struggled to understand how it had come to this.
‘You burned my letter?’ I asked.
‘No. It was destroyed while I was taming the volcano,’ Rey said, a muscle on his cheek twitching. ‘It’s over. Mlot is dead. Wiosna is rebuilding under Tova’s direction. The only thing I couldn’t foresee, or control, is you.’
His voice sounded hollow, and I reached for him, pressing my head against his chest. ‘I’m sorry,’ I whispered.
‘If you’re sorry, then come home. I need you, Viper.’ He looked around, his expression growing confused. ‘Is this where you are? Boyan told me you went south. I sent patrols along the road to Tivalaran, but if you’re on the steppe…’
‘I’m not.’ I sighed, biting my lip. ‘Call your men off. I am exactly where I need to be – on the way to Tivala’s castle.’
‘Why, Sana? I can deal with that bastard.’ His nostrils flared, and he stroked my braid a little too harshly. ‘What’s going on in the south that I don’t know?’
‘Your marriage contract, invasion through the Wey Gates, Jagon.’ The more I talked, the harder his expression became.
‘I don’t fucking care about the marriage contract. We can send the Observers to get it. I’ll meet whoever attacks our home on the field of battle. And Jagon… I’ll string that bastard up by the tendons myself.’ He stopped, his fingers tightening on my shoulder. ‘Don’t shake your head at me.’
