“Yes.” Meeting her eyes steady, Cajara added in her soft, sweet voice, “And the queens want you to go to Semo to help.”
“That’s right,” Arin said.
And Cajara smiled at her—a smile so amazing, so just for her, that Arin felt herself blush. “Then I’d guess we’d better go to Semo together,” Cajara said.
And Arin couldn’t help but think,I’d go with her anywhere.
Chapter24
Ven wanted to leave without any fanfare, but Naelin said no, they couldn’t sneak away like thieves. Queen Merecot’s people deserved to know all was well, she argued. So Ven gritted his teeth and suffered through a ridiculous farewell ceremony that involved an endless stream of praise, platitudes, and other ridiculous nonsense.
They’d be leaving Ambassador Hanna in Semo with Queen Merecot to handle the aftermath—they’d mutually decided not to share the details of what happened in the grove until after Ven, Naelin, and the children had passed beyond the borders of Semo. After they were long gone, Hanna would support Merecot in revealing that they’d jointly solved the problem of restless spirits, with a whole bunch of vague statements. There would be a lot more celebrating.But they’ll celebrate without us,Ven thought.And more important, without that spirits-be-damned tight shirt.
That thought cheered him up.
Once the official farewell was complete, Ven and Naelin mounted two flying water spirits, formerly Merecot’s but now tied to Naelin—not that anyone in the crowd knew that. The spirits were shaped like winged horses but had scales like a fish. Sparkly fish scales. Ven was trying not to think about how ridiculous he looked riding one.
As the Semoians cheered, they took to the sky.
The people of Semo believed the newlyweds were on their way to celebrate their marriage, alone and far from prying eyes, per Semoian tradition. In truth, they planned to circle back to the castle, scoop up Erian and Llor, and then exit the country with a few hundred spirits in tow.
Not as romantic, but a lot more practical.
Airborne, he clung to his mount as Naelin led them in a circle, behind a mountain peak, and then out again on the opposite side of the castle. The children would be waiting for them in the third spire—the windows were to be left open so Naelin and Ven could fly directly inside. Erian and Llor would be waiting, ready to go, Merecot had assured them.
Ahead, Ven spotted the spire with the open window, exactly as Merecot had described. He ducked as they flew inside, even though the window was broad enough for twice his height. His spirit landed and folded its wings.
“Erian? Llor?” Naelin was calling.
“They should be right here, waiting for us.” Ven dismounted. He’d been there when Merecot sent instructions to her guards, before the wedding ceremony had begun—Naelin had insisted on human guards, not spirits. She didn’t trust the Semoian spirits, no matter how good Merecot claimed her control was.
Naelin’s voice was tight. “Theyshouldbe.
“But they’re not.”
Naelin tried not to panic. Not to think the worst.
But she’d lost them once before.
Not again. Not twice. Not when we were so close to bringing them home!“Merecot promised they’d be here. She promised to keep them safe, with guards. Where are their guards?Where are my children!”
Ven shoved at the door. Kicked it.
Solid, it didn’t even creak.
Naelin felt her heart beat so fast that it hurt inside her rib cage. It was hard to swallow. “Erian! Llor!” She reached for a spirit—her mind curled around one of her new earth spirits.
Grabbing control of it wasn’t as easy as with an Aratayian spirit, but she gave it no option to squirm away. She called it to her, and she felt it scurry up the side of the tower, making holes in the rock wall with its stone fists until it clambered over the windowsill.
It was a squat, stone creature with a tortoiseshell back. It stood on its hind legs and regarded her with cold, liquid eyes.Open that door,Naelin commanded.
How?it asked. Its mental voice felt like loose gravel pouring through her mind.
Bash it down.
The spirit liked that order.
It rammed its body against the thick door, splintering the wood around the hinges, until it had battered through. Ven gave the wood a kick, and then he stepped through the broken frame.
