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Not home, the island. Do I even have a home? Is the castle tower my home?
I stare at the rock wall, and can easily see nooks and fissures, making it as easy as a ladder. Without wasting any time, I run to it and move up as fast as I can. There is a certain satisfaction in knowing that I can depend on my body to pull me up, trusting it to vanquish a wall that would otherwise look insurmountable.
And yet every rock has cracks.
This is much more freeing than training on the roof of the Elite Tower. There, all I could see was the city and farms surrounding the castle, while here I get to see wild, untamed mountains, covered with ancient trees. It’s peaceful. Powerful.
I look down and see Nelsin laughing. “You’re fast!” His voice echoes in the emptiness around him.
“What did you expect?” I shout back.
I shouldn’t feel giddy that I can do something well, but I can’t help it. I love beating a challenge.
The fae uses a disk of ice to float up to me. I’m not sure how he can like that. There’s no place to hold, and a stronger wind current could push him from the surface. I think it’s scary and a thousand times worse than moving up while holding onto the firm rock.
Still, I mock a frown. “That’s cheating.”
“No.” His top ears move back and forth. “I never said I wanted to climb.”
I just laugh and shake my head. In truth, I’m enjoying being here. “Thank you. This place is beautiful. Where are we?”
I see a microsecond of a smirk—or maybe imagine it—then he’s pointing to the area beneath the cliff. “Look.”
My stomach suddenly feels empty and floaty. Marlak is there, looking up, his expression neutral, wearing a light tunic and brown leather pants and boots, no rings or gloves. The first thing I check is his left hand. No recent scar or any visible wound. No sign of that ragged cut.
It was a dream, Astra.
A dream. Not reality. And it might mean he wasn’t even poisoned. Or can it be that it’s faded and hidden among his older scars? I don’t want to look too much, but there’s something strange about him. He’s looking in my direction but it’s as if he can’t really see me. He lacks that intense stare he usually has, and my stomach drops for some reason. I want to climb down and check on him, but at the same time, he seems so cold, so distant.
I turn to Nelsin, and find him watching me intently. Too intently, his top ears pointing forward.
“What’s he doing here?” I ask.
He lifts one shoulder. “What do I know?”
Can’t he see that there’s something wrong with Marlak? Doesn’t he care?
“Well, I’m climbing down.” Then I add, in a lighter tone, “To keep practicing.” I don’t want him to start thinking that I care for his prince.
I approach the edge and turn to grab onto the rocks for my descent, but then I hear an inhuman scream behind me, and look down. Four figures are approaching Marlak. They’re wearing black cloaks and hoods, and I can’t see their faces, but they are all pointing swords at him. He should use his magic, but all he does is take out his own sword. I had never seen him carrying a weapon, but I’m glad he’s doing it.
Something’s wrong, and this is not going to end up well. We need to help him, fast. My hand is trembling as I turn back and search for a place to put my foot, when something pulls me. Someone. Nelsin. He’s pulling me away from the edge.
“What’s wrong with you?” I want to punch him.
Nelsin turns me and holds me in place, pinning down my arms. From this position, I can look at the valley, but can’t move, can’t do anything.
“Our goal is to protect you, not him,” Nelsin says from behind me, his breath close to my ear.
Marlak is surrounded, and even though he’s keeping the assailants at bay with his sword, I doubt he’ll be able to hold on much longer.
“Then at least you should go! Use your magic. Do something!” I’m screaming. I’m so angry.
“I’ve sworn an oath.” He sounds apologetic, but it’s a feeble excuse. And his voice is too calm. Why is he so calm? Can’t he see what’s going on?
“Something’s wrong with Marlak!” I yell, because it seems that I truly need to state the obvious.
Behind me, Nelsin doesn’t react.
