Zev’s mother nods. Another step forward. “He didn’t know where I went. He was trying to appease you. Varad didn’t see me as a threat.” Her lips twist into a hateful smile, fingers absently rubbing her wrist. “He should have.”
“You could’ve taken me with you.”
The sky begins to weep.
She shakes her head, sadness and regret swirling in her eyes. Graceful fingers tuck her hood back over her head. “I wanted to. But I couldn’t. I’m so sorry, Vayru. Varad would’ve torn the world apart to find me if I had you.” She raises a cautious hand. “But I kept tabs on you. I watched you grow. The strong wielder you’ve become. The formidable Commander.” Her gaze cuts to me for the first time. Her dark eyes are warm. “And I was thrilled to learn of your marriage. That perhaps, you two would find happiness in each other. Meerah would have wanted that.”
My breath stutters.
Zev’s face freezes.
The rain pelts down harder.
“You knew my mother?” I whisper.
She nods, a soft dip of her head. “We were both nonwielder mothers of royal children. We both fled, sought refuge with the rebels. It’s where we met. The first time I saw you, Mayah, you had a toy reindeer in one hand and were clutching Meerah’s leg with the other, looking suspiciously at grass. Like you didn’t trust it because it wasn’t white and cold.” Zev’s mother glances away. “I told Meerah to send you back. That she’d endangered herself by fleeing with you. But she wouldn’t listen. And the price was her life.”
My throat tightens. Mama’s name on this woman’s lips twists something in me. Zev’s eyes sear a brand into the side of my face, but I don’t look at him.
I can’t.
I brace myself with a shuddering breath. “Why did you attack us?” I ask. “When we were leaving Tundrayn.”
“We wanted to take you then, before you ever made it to Arbinj. But my men didn’t expect you to be in the prisoners’ carriage.” Her smile is sharp. “And we expected Faramir with you. Not Vayru.” She smiles, her face lit with a rueful pride. “My son is quite clever. By the time they saw you, Vayru had already decimated most of my men.”
“And in the woods near Arbinj? What about those rebels?”
Her lips purse. “We found their … remains. Those men didn’t know who you were. They’d have never attacked otherwise.”
My head spins. The ground tilts beneath my feet, and if not for Zev anchoring me, I might collapse.
She knew Mama. She knew Mama. She knew Mama.
My knees buckle, and I lean against Zev, letting him support my weight.
“What do you want with me?” I breathe.
She smiles again, warm and maternal.
“I promised your mother I’d look after you.” Her eyes flick to Zev. “But that’s not the only reason.”
“You’re lying,” Zev growls. His muscled arm snakes possessively across my chest.
Thunder rumbles.
His mother clicks her tongue, unfazed, as if she spent a lifetime diffusing his temper. “Easy. I know better than to lie to you, Vayru.” Her dark gaze finds me again. “The Rebellion needs you, Mayah. We’re planning something—something big. We need your help.”
When I don’t immediately decline, Zev scrubs a violent hand over his face. “Mayah,no. They want to use you as a pawn.”
“I remember the night Meerah died, Mayah,” his mother says softly. “Tormik took many lives. You were so small—asleep in a nameless warrior’s arms as they brought you from the house.Your father had just murdered your mother and couldn’t even carry you himself.” Her voice grows hard. “I want him gone, Mayah. Both him and Varad. Come with us.”
“She’s not yours to command,” Zev grits out. He pulls me closer against him. But it’s not just out of protection. It’s fear. Fear that I’ll say yes.
“I will respectherdecision,” his mother says, arms crossed.
My heart batters my ribs.
This is my chance. I can have my revenge on my father.
