Mariah’s expression softened. She gave them both nods as they brushed past her, hoisting the man’s dead weight between them and hauling him away from the courtyard.
Amasis turned to Mariah as they left, their stare hard. “I hope you know what you are doing, Mariah. My people are proud. They may not take this the way you hope.”
“I appreciate your perspective and concern, Amasis,” Mariah said. She sounded tired now, as weary as they all felt. “But I meant what I said. I don’t give second chances. Not anymore.”
“Then I hope you are prepared to live with the consequences.” Blue light flashed again, and Amasis was gone, flying back into the sky.
Mariah sighed, staring at the bloodied sands. She turned to face Sebastian and Ciana.
“I know you don’t approve, Seb,” she murmured. “But I have to protect them while I’m gone. This is the only way I know how.”
“I understand, Mariah.” He did. Mariah wasn’t built for politics. The one time she’d tried the diplomatic approach, she’d been betrayed and locked in a cell for months.
He just wished she could learn that there were more ways to protect than with the swing of her dagger.
Mariah shifted her attention to Ciana. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Cee.”
Ciana swallowed. She was washed of her golden color, her freckles stark against her cheeks. She eyed the bloodied patch of sand. “Not the first bit of blood I’ve seen,” she said finally. “And the fucker deserved it.”
Mariah smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Are all of you ready?”
“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Delaynie approached, Quentin following behind with their mule and wagon. The two of them would travel with Sebastian and Ciana through Idrix to Vatha, then would continue to the coast and board a ship to the Kizar Islands.
That is, if something horrible didn’t happen to them all along the way. Sebastian clamped down on those thoughts. One day at a time; that was all they could do.
“And you, Ciana?” Mariah’s voice carried a serious tone. Ciana straightened her shoulders, her brow furrowing with resolve.
Ciana nodded to her queen. “I’m ready. I can do this.”
Do what?
Sebastian opened his mouth to ask, curiosity prickling through him, when Mariah silenced him with a glance.
“Ciana has a special task once you reach Vatha,” she said. “And I need you to promise me, Sebastian, that no matter what it is, you will do everything in your power to help her.”
Sebastian blinked. “Is it dangerous?”
The corners of Mariah’s mouth twitched, as if she were fighting back a smile. “Not particularly. But you might not like it very much.”
Sebastian frowned. “As long as it’s not a threat to her life, I’ll help her. You have my word.”
Mariah nodded. “A compromise I can live with.” She turned to a waiting Callamus and Signe, maroon cloak billowing in the breeze. Gold glinted in the sky, and Mariah’s golden eagle—Cielle, he reminded himself—landed on a nearby rooftop.
Leave it to Mariah to befriend one of the most elusive creatures on the continent. Despite the darkness of the day—of their world—Sebastian couldn’t help his half-smile.
“You should get going, while there’s still plenty of sunlight.” Mariah’s gaze danced between the four of them. “I don’t knowwhen we’ll see each other again. But I know that we will. Wewillsucceed, because we don’t have any other choice.”
“I still don’t like this,” Sebastian said softly. “We are stronger together. We’ve always been stronger together.” He remembered—clearer than most—what happened when they decided to split up.
“I know.” Mariah dropped her gaze. Something broke in her expression, something that made her look suddenly so much younger. “I don’t want to leave you all. There’s just no other way.”
Sebastian wanted to say something. To offer her just a hint of comfort. But his gaze snagged on the deep red stain marring the sands, and he faltered.
He’d known from before Kol’s emergence that Mariah would eventually go places he would not—could not—follow.
He just hadn’t realized how literal that would end up being.
He hardened himself and met his queen’s stare. “As you wish, Mariah.” He bowed his head and turned, striding back to his gelding.
