“Ariana?” Her voice was steady. “I knew you would come.”
Ariana flung herself forward and kneeled at her aunt’s feet. “I am so pleased to have found you.”
“My dear child.” Ysmay gripped her hand with surprising strength. “You have taken a great personal risk to do so.” Her startling blue eyes seemed to look straight into Ariana’s soul.
“It is of no consequence.” Ariana shook her head so vigorously her hair flew out behind her. “All that matters is that you should go free.”
Ysmay smiled. Her face had grown ravaged with age and weariness, but her beautiful smile was unchanged. “That, I fear, would have grave consequences. And for you more than most.”
Her aunt’s hand was chilled despite her steady grip. Ariana sandwiched it inside her own, trying to inject some of her own warmth and vigor into the woman who had helped to raise her. “Do you know about my marriage to Otto? Otto Sarragnac?” she amended.
Ysmay inclined her head. “I know it was planned. I know it came to pass. What I don’t know yet is how much happiness it will bring to you.”
Ariana was exhausted after her climb up the tower and all the adrenaline of her rescue seemed to be seeping away. “I cannot be happy with the Earl of Darkmoor, not while he keeps you prisoner up here.”
Ysmay’s gaze was steady and unblinking. “The earl gave special instruction that I should be treated well. And as you can see, I have been.”
“You’re a prisoner,” Ariana protested. Her eyes raked over the cheerless room, the cold bare floor, and the empty grate. “You should be with the people who love you.”
“I admit, I did not anticipate ending my days here.” Ysmay held up a regal hand to silence her niece and Ariana bit back her denial. “But I have had much time to think. And this twist of fate may have been necessary. Intended even. If the North is to knowpeace, Kenmar must ally with Darkmoor. Your marriage to Otto Sarragnac may be the start of this.”
Ariana slumped onto the dusty floor, uncaring of her elegant gown. “My marriage to Otto did not have to come at the cost of your freedom.” Her voice shook. “Or your life.”
Ysmay gave her a knowing look. “For what reason did your father agree to the alliance?”
Ariana paused as the realization struck her. “So that I might reclaim your jewel for Kenmar.”
Her aunt nodded. “Exactly so.”
“But your life is too high a price for peace between Kenmar and Darkmoor.” Ariana shook her head vehemently. “I could not live with myself.”
“Ariana, you are young and have your whole life ahead of you. I am old. My days are ending.”
“You are not ill?” she asked in alarm.
“Not ill.” Ysmay shook her head. “There is strength in my limbs still.”
“Good.” Ariana pushed herself to her feet, seized with new conviction. “For I am not leaving you here.”
“Ariana…”
“No,” Ariana spoke over her with all the authority of the Countess of Darkmoor. “Either you allow me to help you down those cursed stairs and out into the light, where you can live freely once again, or we both of us stay here to be found by the guards.” She bit down on her lip. “And punished accordingly.”
“Ariana, you can’t do this.”
She smoothed down the folds of her gown. “It is already done,” she said airily. “I have committed my own crimes against Darkmoor this day. Crimes which won’t easily be forgiven, should they be discovered.”
Ysmay shook her head slowly, her eyes shining with love as well as trepidation. “Your future happiness hangs in the balance. I feel it. I know it.”
“Once you are free, I will be able to commit myself to Otto,” Ariana promised wildly. “I will make my marriage work. I will keep a lasting peace between Kenmar and Darkmoor. All of this and more, I pledge to you, aunt. But while you remain a prisoner, awaiting execution, I simply cannot.”
Ysmay pulled herself to her feet, just the faintest tremor in her body betraying her age and weakness. “I see we are at an impasse,” she said softly.
“I will not be swayed.” Ariana focused her gaze on the leafy treetops visible through the square windows. Gray clouds scudded across the sky, and she thought of the guard laying slumped across the doorway to the squat tower. Merek had said he would sleep until noon. But how long did they have until he was found?
“Very well,” Ysmay sighed. “You have your mother’s stubborn determination. It is a strength,” she smiled, nodding gently. “It will see you well in the future, I am sure.”
Hope unfurled in Ariana’s chest. “You will come with me, now?”
