“What did she say?”
Then, another voice.
A soft whisper at the edge of my consciousness. Elegant and melodic. Echoing in my head.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Scarlet feathers flashed across my vision. All at once, the pain in my arm lessened to a dull ache. I took my first deep breath since falling, the world sharpening back into focus. Blinking, I surveyed the sorry state of my arm. It was covered in blood. Tentatively, I wiggled my fingers. No answering pain. No open wounds. Following a thorough inspection of my remaining limbs, I rose to my feet.
I whirled around. My favorite trio of aspiring warriors stood together—the very picture of deference, heads bowed in respect. Emerson was nowhere in sight. The reason for their newfound humility was all too clear; Fiere sat perched upon Sargan’s outstretched arm. The phoenix’s long tail draped elegantly downward, red and gold plumage shining brightly in the sun. So bright, in fact, that I was momentarily forced to avert my eyes.
Phoenix ash.Yes, I could pick it out now. A black sooty residue intermixed with the blood on my arm.
Fiere’s melodic voice filled my mind.
You.As in the Midnight Sovereign. No, he had addressed me by a different title:Consort of the Moon.Yet another name I’d never heard before. I worried often that my position held no true significance; but the more I traveled, the more it seemed that maybe, once upon a time, my office had meant many things tomany different people. I stood a little taller, considering how to respond.
Phoenixes were long-lived, undergoing numerous cycles of death and rebirth. It sounded like Fiere was familiar with my predecessors.Would he know? At what point the Midnight Sovereign ceased to travel the realm? And why?
I wanted answers, but right now, I wanted his flame more.
“Thank you for healing me. You’re right. I came here with a purpose. To ask you for a boon. Your flame.”
“I admit I offered the men money. It was a mistake. I didn’t think I’d be able to talk with you on my own.”
“I am inclined to agree.”
His laughter bounced pleasantly around my head.
My answer was truthful. “The lampposts on my island refuse to light.”
The question gave me pause. I hadn’t yet put it into words myself. “It’s a step,” I finally said.
Fiere prodded.
“Helping people again.” Then, with more vulnerability in my voice, “For my life to mean something…”
A short silence.
The phoenix took flight, leaving me alone with the warriors. Even after he departed, Sargan held his pose, standing as still as a statue, his empty arm outstretched, as if reluctant to drop it in case Fiere decided to return. He looked awe-struck, his mouthhanging wide open. My coin purse was still tied to his belt. A surge of anger flared through me.
“What did Fiere say to you?” Rem asked, breaking the silence.
I ignored him, my gaze fixated on the coin purse.
You did make a deal,part of me argued. And I had, but it’s not like they had exactly been honest with me about its terms. Someveryrelevant information had been withheld. Surely that was enough to void our agreement? Wasn’t it? I’d leave the money with Emerson if he were still here, but leaving it withSargan?He didn’t deserve it.
“Fiere told me to take my money back,” I responded, daring him to contradict me.
