Page 39

“My cousins’ safety for the restoration of the book that came from the Grand Library.”

“Yes. If you survive Yule, then so will your cousins.” We were both playing word games.

The oath fizzed through my blood and bound my fate. But my mind was fixed on the Seer’s words, because ‘sky burning’ was the old term for the rebirth of the phoenixes, and she had seen my connection to it. The thought shuddered through me as the green mark of the oath I’d just made dimmed to a faint glow.

“Each Yule, more and more Riders are overcome with madness. We believe in a balance, and there are now three times as many Warhorses as phoenixes. It was never meant to be that way.”

“But you hate…”

The Seer tutted. “See what living in the Barren does to a mind?” She gripped my wrist. “Some Riders are able to understand our ways. Respect them.” She pointed her blue fingernail at my amulet. “That thing distorts everything, so I can’t get a true read on her. But she shouldn’t be left with the Riders. She’ll probably kill them… There is death seeping out of every one of her pores.”

“Enough!” Bronwen silenced the Seer with a look, and an unspoken agreement passed between them. “Aster has a horse. He can take her.” The blue war paint on their foreheads glistened in the firelight.

Those were the words Aster had been waiting for as he entwined our fingers and pulled me out of the room.

The Fourth Night of Yule

— The Binding Name

The world no longer waits.

On the fourth night, what has awakened takes form. Hiding ends as the fates unfold their true course. There is no more darkness to hide in. What was concealed in the shadow steps forward. Where doubt once lived, courage breaks forth.

This is the night of recognition. Not of what you wish to be, but of what you have always been waiting to become.

Beware the night you are seen—for you do not become someone new—you are named for who you already are.

The Ashen Grimoire

17

The night was upon us, and warriors were stoking the iron pits which ran down the centre of the main street to keep the village free of the YuleMots. They glanced at us as we passed. A few nodded at Aster and then glared at me. Aster noticed and picked up speed, fury etched across his forehead.

Trying to wrench my hand from his death grip, I spun on him. “I need to get back there. I want answers. What does that sky-burning thing mean? That rebirth is coming?”

He didn’t stop walking, but he pulled me closer so that I was now under his arm—to an observer, we seemed like lovers. But he was dragging me around, and I was done with that… I was no longer in Craven City. I was no longer that person. I no longer even looked like that person.

“She never explains what she means. It’s amazing she said as much as she did.” His lips brushed my temple. “Let me get you cleaned up. You don’t have to fight me. Not now.” His tone was warm and utterly confusing. And I was once again freezing cold and bone-tired.

“Because I’ve taken an oath to do what they… you… need of me!”

He flinched. “No, because you’re safe here with me. You can fix the book and stay… They have agreed. And you no longer look like the rebel who killed the Master. That rebel is dead.”

Dead. “Who thinks that you’re dead? The Barren?”

“The Barren and the Annatalian General. He wanted me killed, had me captured, and sent me to the mines. I had some help… Got out and made it here.”

“Where are the other Annatalians?” I would need to meet with them and see where their loyalties lie.

“There are some in another village, but most move on to safety.”

“Annatalians aren’t safe here?”

“The ones that refuse to convert don’t last long… Some move on.”

I tilted my chin to meet his eyes. They told me to stop asking questions.

We trudged on in silence through knee-deep snowbanks, heading away from the village until a small log cabin came into view. Its shingled roof was covered in snow, and the path leading up to it was barely visible. It was well-built and well-cared for. My throat tightened as understanding hit me. This was his home. I blinked, trying to contain the hurt rolling through my chest as the icy air whipped around the back of my neck. But I didn’t falter—I wouldn’t let him see what the sight did to me.