“Let her go,” Aizel commanded. “And what are you doing here? How did you get here?”
“I don’t know her,” Sol responded, his grip still tight on Meena’s wrist.
“I do. She’s a friend. Let her go.”
Sol’s grip loosened slightly. “She’s Quotidian.”
“She’s a princess.” Aizel stepped forward.
Meena shrank back from the power in her friend’s voice.
Sol’s grip tightened again, and he twisted Meena around to face him.
She yanked at her wrist, using her other hand to try and pry his fingers from her.
“Is her family holding you here against her will?”
“No,” Aizel stepped forward, releasing the orb into the air where it floated on its own in the tunnel. She threw her arm around Meena’s shoulder and pushed Sol away. “But you are holding her against her will. And mine.”
“Alright.” Sol dropped Meena’s wrist and stepped back.
Meena rubbed her wrist and leaned into Aizel’s comforting hug. “Do you know him?” she asked.
“He’s from my village in Istroya,” Aizel explained. “He’s not as good at pearl diving as I am.”
“You’re alive,” Sol said to Aizel. “We thought they’d taken you.”
“No. I escaped. On my own. To save Celesta. It kind of backfired, but she’s safe now.” Aizel loosened her hold on Meena and threw her arms around Sol’s chest. “It’s so good to see someone from home.”
Sol returned her hug, leaning his head over hers protectively.
Meena crossed her arms as she watched their reunion. She was not mad at Aizel for leaving her side and embracing the intruder. Not at all.
“Why are you here?” Aizel stood back, looking up at Sol’s face. “And how?”
“I got myself chosen. And then escaped once we’d crossed the sea.”
“Did you come for me?” Aizel asked. “But you thought I was dead?”
Sol put his hands on Aizel’s shoulders. “I would have if I’d known you were alive, but it appears you’ve done fine without me.” His eyes flicked to Meena.
“You got yourselfchosen?” Aizel’s voice was louder than Meena had ever heard it. “Intentionally?”
“Chosen?” Meena asked, trying to follow along and not feel left out.
“Chosen by the Quotidian to fuel their magic reserves,” Aizel explained, still looking at Sol.
“That doesn’t sound good ...” Meena replied.
“It’s not,” Aizel said. “What was your plan if you hadn’t escaped?” Aizel directed this question to Sol. “You would be stuck in some castle dungeon in Chendas, living a life worse than death? Powering gems through your pain?”
“That wasn’t going to happen,” Sol replied. “I knew what I was doing. It was a risk I needed to take.”
Aizel stepped back, crossing her arms as she looked up at Sol. She remained silent, but her fixed attention on Sol seemed to indicate she still expected an answer.
Sol glanced at Meena again.
“She can be trusted,” Aizel answered his unspoken question.
