“Togamar sent us here,” I whispered.
His muscles were taut, and with a low groan, he fell forward, catching himself with his palms. I leaned with him, maintaining my hold.
“Why would Nothar…?” Concern choked my throat. “How do I pull him out?!”
“You cannot.” The priest’s face was shrouded in shadow. “He may only return when he is sent back.”
I cursed, adjusting my position.
“Ifhe is sent back.”
I bared my teeth in a silent snarl. No one would take him from me. He suffered too much for my sake for anyone, even a god to deny me him.
“Nothar,” I whispered. “Father, hear my voice. King of Godkind, Founder of the North, heed my call.”
An unearthly wind swept through the room, extinguishing the lanterns’ light and plunging us into darkness. Panic swelled within me as I gripped my Valahant so hard my hands ached.
“Protect him.”
Sainte gasped as his breath returned, and I pressed against his shoulder, embracing him as he panted. Shivers wracked his body, and I clenched my jaw, anxious about what I couldn’t see or hear.
We sat like that for what seemed an eternity, my own limbs starting to tremble and shake from holding the awkward position. Sainte eventually stilled, his breathing evened out, and his muscles relaxed. I focused on just keeping my hands from moving.
The room was cold and dark, and I didn’t hear anyone move—not Falon or the young priest. No light illuminated the space from the hallway, indicating they were still with us.
Sainte sucked in a quick breath and grunted, drawing away a fraction. I gripped his robe, trying to stay with him.
“Elspeth.”
Relief swept through me at the sound of his rough voice.
I shifted, moving in front of him, wrapping my trembling arms around him. He sat back, pulling me with him and settling me against his chest.
“Don’t ever do that again,” I ordered, pressing my forehead into the curve of his neck.
His chin dropped to rest on top of my head. “I would never leave you, Princess.”
“Never?” I pressed.
“Never.”
Chapter 30
The next morning brought my friends’ departure. Only a single tear tracked down my cheek. I hated goodbyes. I was lousy at them. It was far better to part ways with a wave than to force words to express feelings.
Lyana was a shell of her former self, but she was functioning under her brother’s care. I ensured they had enough coin to settle in a real home and fill their bellies, then wished them Niena’s luck in picking pockets.
I reserved my tears for when I retired to my rooms, in the privacy of my sleeping chambers. Sainte held me as I sobbed, abandoning the pretense of strength. He knew my weaknesses, and I needed him to accept me as I was.
Human. Flawed. Lonely.
Besides my Valahant, I felt truly alone in this castle. Anderz remained an enigma, his motives for wanting me on the throne unclear. Leihim pursued his own desires. Lyana and Ethyan were the only ones who loved me for myself. Everyone else had an agenda, some plot to either see me crowned or killed.
Which was still a possibility.
“Up.”
I moaned, burrowing deeper into the blankets.
