I would not falter, like Almira had, under the weight of such decisions. I would not sacrifice these people to the starving forest. I was the Queen of the Wild, and I would lead them through the storm. I would save them.
But first, I needed to save their king.
A storm was brewing.
I felt it in my bones.
I’d expected to find Zora’s home abandoned, but a sliver of light greeted me, and the crackle of a low fire. It felt like weeks had gone since Zora and I left for the dance, full of mirth and hope. Somehow, little more than a day had passed.
I found Sai with Zora in the parlor. He had piled all the blankets in the house over her and cradled her small hands in his. She trembled, blue-lipped. A sheen veiled her eyes, but they were alive, not horribly bone-white. She sobbed when she saw me, rising from the chair to embrace me.
“Forgive me,” I mumbled into her hair, “The faerie in the swamp… He is the one who abused my powers. He is the one who hunts me. I did not know he had found me. I would have never risked—”
Zora retreated to muster me, to brush my tear-streaked cheek as an older sister might. “What happened?”
“Lorell has gone into the forest.”
Behind us, Sai let out a choked cry. He was upon us in a flash, eyes dark with terror. “How long has he been gone?”
“Not long” I said as I untangled myself from Zora and hurried to my chamber. “Adrik went to find him.” I stripped quickly of my coat, of the silken robe I still wore beneath, and I dressed in the sturdy wool and leather clothes Kalina had sewn for days spent in the fields. “The mists are drawing near. I must go into the forest to guide them home.”
“Take the brothers,” ordered Sai.
“The fires,” Zora said with a glance from the window. “I must relight them.”
“You must rest,” I said sharply.
“I will go with her,” Sai muttered. “We will light the flares to guide you home.”
“The lordling is still out there.”
“Then I will take the sword. Let us do something. Leave us to handle this, Evana.”
I had, it seemed, become too much like Adrik; unable to bear sending anyone else into danger. “Fine,” I conceded. “Be safe.”
A lantern floated from its hook over the door and joined me, wiggling with excitement. From Zora’s palm drifted a flame, much brighter than that of a torch. It settled in the lantern’s hollow. “Take it with you.” Zora clasped my hands in hers and said sternly, “Do not stray where the light does not reach. If it falters… If it falters, yourun.”
I gave her and Sai a kiss on the cheek, heart burning. Then, I hurried out into the storm and to the forge.
Yavor sat with his brothers at the dimly-lit table, bent over a game of cards and remnants of berry-wine from the dance.
“Evana,” he said when I entered, putting the cards aside. “Are you feeling better?”
“Not quite. Did Adrik come to see you?”
He lifted a brow. “Tonight? No, I thought he was with you.”
Ilvar chuckled quietly, sending heat to my cheeks. I reminded myself of his youth to keep from scowling at him. “Lorell has gone to the forest. Adrik went alone to find him.”
There was a stiff silence, the creak of a chair, three darkening faces.
“The bastard,” growled Radan. He reached without another word for his cloak and a discarded scabbard. Ilvar took a gulp and whisked through the back door into the stables.
Yavor stood, mustering me with interest. “You wish to come with us.”
“I must,” I said. “The storm thickens.”
“Adrik willkillme.”
